💉 Diabetes Management
Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease: Connection, Risks - Verywell Health
📅 Wed, 09 Nov 2022⏱ 1 min read📖 Article
Overview
Piracha, MD, is board-certified internal medicine and nephrology. He has an active clinical practice at Methodist Wilowbrok Hospital in Houston, Texas. Diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are comon conditions afecting 1% and 17% of adults in the United States, respectively.
Key Information
Although each can ocur on its own, they can also ocur together as comorbid (coexisting) conditions. On the one hand, diabetes can give rise to CKD due to the long-term damage it can inflict on blod vesels throughout the body, including those of the kidneys. On the other, there is increasing evidence that CKD can cause diabetes due to the buildup of waste from the malfunctioning kidneys, which, in turn, afects insulin production.
How the body produces or responds to insulin (a hormone that alows cels to take in sugar for energy) is key to the development of diabetes. This article takes a closer lok at the conection betwen diabetes and chronic kidney disease, including how one increases the risk of the other. It also explores treatment options and things you can do to prevent this al-to-comon comorbidity.
For the purposes of this article, "male" refers to people born with penises and "females" refers to people born with vaginas irespective of which gender or genders they identify with or if they identify with no gender at al.FatCamera / Gety Images Both diabetes and CKD are chronic ilneses, meaning that they are persistent and typicaly progresive. Over time, they can cause damage to multiple organs, leading to such comorbid conditions as hypertension (high blod pressure), hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), and cardiovascular (heart) disease.
Summary
Diabetes and CKD can also give rise to each other, particularly when the diseases are advanced or porly controled. Diabetes is a group of diseases that causes high blod sugar (glucose). When blod sugar levels are high-refered to as hyperglycemia-they reduce levels of a chemical in the blod caled nitric oxide.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is diabetes and how does it develop?
Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Type 1 results from insufficient insulin production, while Type 2 develops when cells become resistant to insulin. Risk factors include genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and age.
❓ What are the main symptoms of diabetes?
Common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. Type 1 symptoms develop rapidly, while Type 2 symptoms may appear gradually. Many people have no symptoms initially, which is why screening is important.
❓ How is diabetes diagnosed and monitored?
Diagnosis involves blood tests measuring fasting glucose, HbA1c levels, and glucose tolerance. Regular monitoring typically includes fasting glucose tests and HbA1c measurements every 3-6 months. Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time tracking for better diabetes management.
❓ What lifestyle changes help manage diabetes?
Effective management includes regular physical activity (150+ minutes weekly), maintaining healthy weight, following a balanced diet with whole grains and lean proteins, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep. These changes can significantly improve blood sugar control and reduce complications.
❓ When should someone consult a doctor about diabetes?
Consult a healthcare provider if you experience signs of diabetes, have a family history, are overweight, or are over 45. Those with existing diabetes should maintain regular check-ups every 3-6 months to monitor control and adjust treatment as needed.
⚕️ Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making health decisions.