Diabetes refers to the body's inability to adequately produce and/or use insulin. Individuals with diabetes have high levels of glucose, or sugar, in their blood. Glucose is the main energy source for the body's cells. Type 1 diabetes results when the body does not produce insulin, while type 2 diabetes results when the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells act as if the insulin is not there. Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure, notes the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
High Blood Pressure
According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, or NKUDIC, high blood pressure or hypertension is one of the major causes of kidney disease in people with diabetes. High blood pressure damages the small blood vessels in the kidneys, preventing them from properly filtering wastes from the body. Known as microalbuminuria or proteinuria, it is one of the first signs of kidney deterioration and disease.
Poor Blood Sugar Management
Poor blood sugar management refers to the failure to frequently monitor blood glucose, administer insulin during the day based on food consumption and physical activity, follow a diet and exercise plan, and regularly see a doctor. This leads to high blood glucose levels which cause glucose to act like a toxin and damage the filter in the kidneys. In turn, this can lead to diabetic kidney disease, notes the NKUDIC.
High Protein Diet
Excessive consumption of protein can be harmful to people with diabetes, according to the NKUDIC, since protein seems to make kidneys work harder. For this reason, some doctors recommend a low protein diet for those with diabetes, especially when signs of kidney deterioration are already present, states the NKUDIC.
References
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Basics
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Kidney Disease of Diabetes
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: The Kidneys and How They Work
- American Diabetes Association: Living with Diabetes, Kidney Disease (Nephropathy)
