The destructive effects on major organs by diabetes are well known and documented. How diabetes causes kidney failure is mostly a matter of accumulated damage to the kidneys that occurs over time. If a diabetic is careful in the management of the disease and careful to monitor glucose levels, most of the damage can be mitigated. Testing can also be a major component to preventing kidney damage, but how? Diabetes causes kidney failure over a long period of time. The damage to the kidneys begins way before any symptoms are noticeable. Urine testing is the key to detecting this damage before it becomes too great.
Small amounts of protein begin to leak into the urine at the onset, or early stages of kidney damage. This protein is called albumin, and it can be detected in small amounts in the urine if you or your physician specifically request this test to be performed.
Over Time, How Diabetes Causes Kidney Failure Is By Accumulating More of This Protein
Normal kidneys contain tiny filters known as glomeruli. These filters act to clean the system of toxins, while keeping important blood proteins inside the body. These proteins are important to overall health. The mechanisms of how diabetes causes kidney failure is that the high glucose and sometimes high blood pressure associated with diabetes starts to damage these tiny filters. The damage allows the protein to leak out (slowly at first). This is the symptom that can be tested for, but not how diabetes causes kidney failure. The unseen damage being done is that the damaged kidneys don’t filter out the wastes and the extra fluids that they should. These wastes and toxins begin to build up in the blood over time instead of being expelled in the urine.
The toxins cause more damage, which results in more protein leakage and more waste build up. The damage compounds on itself and over time, it is how diabetes causes kidney failure. The damage gets to the point of overwhelming the kidneys to the point of failure. Diabetic kidney disease affects both kidneys equally and at the same time.
Of course the best way to prevent this from happening is to never let your blood pressure or glucose levels get out of control. A good diet and exercise routine, and a generally healthy lifestyle are the best preventative. And regular testing of your blood sugar and blood pressure is vital.
What if Kidney Damage Is Already Present?
Even if you know how diabetes causes kidney failure, the damage may begin before you become aware. If this is the case, the best way to slow down further damage is to control both blood pressure and glucose levels. Have your urine tested regularly to discover any deterioration. A healthy lifestyle and control of your diabetes is the only chance you have to prevent kidney failure.
