Kidney Damage from High Blood Sugar
As discussed in a previous post, an excessive amount of sugar in the blood can cause damage to blood vessels. When the damaged vessels are in the kidneys, the kidneys may lose their filtering functions. One indicator is the presence of protein in urine.
Proteins are usually too big to pass through the filters in the kidneys. When proteins are found in urine, this may indicate problems with the kidneys. Therefore, a screening test for kidney disease is testing the presence of protein in urine.
Bladder Health
For people living with diabetes, a common complication is nerve damage. Nerve damage may affect the bladder by making it difficult for urine to pass. The accumulation of urine can exert pressure on and damage the kidneys. In addition, the sugar in urine can facilitate the growth of bacteria that leads to infections.
If you have Diabetes:
Have your kidneys’ functions examined at regular intervals.
Maintain strict control of your blood glucose levels. The amount of protein in urine can be greatly reduced when blood glucose levels are maintained within the target ranges.
Manage your blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, exacerbating the damage from having high blood sugar.
Follow a healthy diet. You may be recommended to cut down the amount of salt and protein in your diet.
DISCLAIMER: THE CONTENT IN THIS POST SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS PROFESSIONAL ADVICE OR REPLACE THE ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.