Diabetes happens when one’s body does not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly. It helps control how much sugar is in your blood stream. A high level of sugar in your blood can cause problems in many parts of your body, especially the kidneys. Over a period of time, this can lead to kidney disease and kidney failure.
The following are the functions of the kidney:
- Remove waste products from the body
- Balance the body’s fluids
- Help keep blood pressure under control
- Keep bones healthy
- Help make red blood cells.
When one has kidney disease, it means that the kidneys have been damaged. Kidneys can get damaged due to diabetes.
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When diabetes or your blood sugar levels is not well controlled, the sugar level in your blood goes up. This is known as hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) can cause damage to the kidneys.
Uncontrolled blood sugar or Diabetes Mellitus can harm the kidneys by causing damage to:
- Blood vessels inside your kidneys. The filtering units of the kidney have tiny blood vessels. Over time, high sugar levels in the blood can cause these tiny vessels to become narrow and clogged. With a reduced blood flow, the kidneys become damaged and albumin (a type of protein) passes through these filters and ends up in the urine where it should not be.
- Nerves in your body. Prolonged diabetes can cause damage to the nerves in your body. These nerves carry messages between your brain and all other parts of your body, including your bladder. They let your brain know when your bladder is full or empty. But if the nerves of the bladder are damaged, you may not be able to feel when your bladder is full or empty. The pressure from a full bladder can damage your kidneys too.
- Urinary tract. Prolonged retention of urine in your bladder can cause a urinary tract infection. This is because of bacteria present in the urine. They grow rapidly in urine when the blood sugar levels are high. Most often these infections affect the bladder, but they can also affect the kidneys.
A Diabetes Rehabilitation Specialist will help you overcome Diabetes Mellitus and reduce the risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease or Diabetic Nephropathy. A complete thorough evaluation of the blood sugar levels, physical examination will help your Diabetes Rehabilitation Healthcare Specialist structure a customised Diabetes Rehabilitation Healthcare Program for you. By following this customised Diabetes Rehabilitation Healthcare Program will help bring the blood sugar levels to an optimal level.
