If you have diabetes, it's time to take a little care of your kidneys. One of the main complications of diabetes is kidney damage. We medically call this condition " Diabetic Kidney Disease." You may have heard your doctor call it Diabetic Nephropathy . Simply put, this is when your kidneys are damaged by high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels that have not been controlled for a long time.
When the kidneys are damaged in this way, their ability to filter and remove waste from the body gradually decreases. This does not happen all at once, the disease progresses gradually through five stages. But the best thing is, with the right treatment and lifestyle changes, we can control this condition and prevent complications.
In the early stages of this kidney disease, there are no visible symptoms. That's why it's important to talk to your doctor and have your kidney function checked at least once a year.
Your doctor will usually check your urine and blood samples, specifically looking for a type of protein called microalbumin in your urine. This is an early sign that your kidneys are starting to get damaged.
What are the 5 stages of diabetic kidney disease?
Let's now understand the five stages of this disease separately and simply. Being aware of this will be a great help in identifying and controlling the disease early.
| Stage | What happens to the kidneys? | Main features and things to do |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | The kidneys are working a little harder than normal and may be slightly larger in size. | There are no external symptoms. A very small amount of protein (microalbumin) can be seen in the urine. Lifestyle changes are very important. |
| Stage 2 | The kidneys are starting to show some mild damage. They are still functioning well. | There are no external symptoms. The amount of protein in the urine is slightly higher than in stage 1. You should continue to follow the instructions for stage 1. |
| Stage 3 | Kidney function has decreased significantly. | Often there are no symptoms. Some people may experience swelling of the limbs, high blood pressure, and anemia. It is important to see a doctor who specializes in kidney disease (Nephrologist). |
| Stage 4 | The kidneys are severely damaged. Their function is very low. | Symptoms include swelling of the limbs and changes in the frequency of urination. Potassium, phosphorus, and acidity in the blood increase. Close medical supervision is required to prevent kidney failure. |
| Stage 5 | Kidney failure is complete or imminent. | Severe symptoms develop, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. |
Early Stages (Stage 1 and 2) - Silent Warning
Don't think that just because you don't feel anything in these first two stages, it's not dangerous. This is actually the best time to act. This is the best time to stop or delay the damage to your kidneys.
Things you can do during this time
- Control your blood sugar and blood pressure: This is the most important thing. Take the medication your doctor prescribes on time. It would be great if you could have a device at home to measure your sugar and blood pressure.
- Healthy diet: Reduce salt intake as much as possible. Stay away from sweets, oily foods, and fast foods. Include vegetables, fruits, and herbs in your diet.
- Exercise: Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a day. Walking, running, or cycling are good options.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Maintaining a weight that is appropriate for your height reduces the pressure on your kidneys.
- If you smoke, stop now: Smoking damages the blood vessels that carry blood to the kidneys.
Stages 3 and 4 - Time to be careful
Even in the third stage, you may not notice any major symptoms. However, some people start to experience swelling in their legs and arms. Your blood pressure may increase and you may develop anemia. At this stage, your doctor will refer you to a doctor who specializes in kidney disease, called a nephrologist . It is very important to follow his or her instructions.
Stage four is a more serious condition. By now, the function of the kidneys has decreased significantly. Symptoms include swelling of the limbs, changes in the frequency or amount of urination, and increased levels of potassium and phosphorus in the blood. At this point, you and your doctor need to work very hard to prevent complete kidney failure.
Stage 5 - Kidney Failure
This is the final stage. Here, the functioning of both kidneys has completely stopped or is very close to stopping. At this point, various symptoms appear due to the accumulation of waste products in the body and poisoning.
- Swelling of the limbs
- Unbearably itchy skin
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Back pain
- Appetite
- Very little or no urine output
- Difficulty breathing, insomnia
- Memory and consciousness disturbances (Confusion)
- Seizures
- Feeling a metallic taste in the mouth
To survive after reaching this stage, the work done by the kidneys must be done in a different way. There are two main treatment methods for this.
1. Dialysis: This is where the body's blood is cleaned with the help of a machine, removing excess water and waste products. There are two types of this: Hemodialysis (a method performed in a hospital by connecting it to a machine) and Peritoneal Dialysis (a method performed at home through the abdominal cavity).
2. Kidney Transplant: The surgical transplantation of a healthy kidney (from a living or deceased donor) into the body.
Take-Home Message
- If you have diabetes, always remember that it can affect your kidneys. But don't worry, this can be controlled.
- The most important thing is to always keep your blood sugar and blood pressure under good control. Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
- Since there are no symptoms in the early stages, have your doctor check your kidney function at least once a year (protein in your urine and creatinine in your blood).
- A healthy lifestyle (good diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking) acts like a big wall to protect your kidneys.
- If you are diagnosed with kidney disease, don't panic and follow your doctor's instructions exactly. With proper management, you can live a healthy life.
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