Chennai: One might be surprised to know that diabetes and kidney health are closely related. Having diabetes can cause negative effects on kidneys in the long-term.
In diabetes, the body fails to produce or utilise insulin causing increased sugar levels in the blood.
‘About 11.8 per cent of the population or roughly about 77 million people in India have diabetes, of which 8 per cent are known and 3.8 per cent are newly diagnosed. About 20 to 40 per cent of people with diabetes can eventually develop kidney disease. So, as a country we are facing a huge burden of kidney disease due to diabetes,’ says Dr T Thiyagarajan, endocrinologist.
He explains that ‘Diabetic nephropathy (kidneys being affected by Diabetes) is the leading cause of kidney failure. It is also known as diabetic kidney disease.’
In this condition, the kidneys’ ability to filter out toxins, waste products and extra fluid from the body gets affected, he adds.
Diabetic nephropathy or kidney disease can be prevented if the blood glucose levels are strictly controlled and maintained constantly in a healthy range by following healthy lifestyle practices. It is also important to keep your blood pressure, cholesterol and body weight in healthy range, he states.