Nephrology Nurses Week: The number of diabetic patients is increasing rapidly around the world. Irregular routine, unbalanced diet, and lack of exercise in the daily routine are some of the factors due to which the number of diabetic patients is increasing rapidly. In countries like India where quality health services are expensive, healthy routines and precautions are the only protection. The most worrying aspect of this is, if not taken care of in time, the patient with diabetes can have serious kidney disease. This week (11-17 September) is observed as Nephrology Nurses Week to remember the contribution of the nursing community in caring for kidney patients. On this occasion, Dr. Manish Mahajan tells how diabetic patients can avoid kidney diseases.

Dr. Manish Mahajan is the go-to doctor for iceberg disease diabetes, and its associated complications. With MRCP,MS Renal Medicine and  Fellowship in diabetes from Royal Liverpool UK, having experience as Consultant Nephrology at one of famous hospitals like Jaypee Hospital, Yatharth Hospital etc. he  specializes in nephrological complications that arise in patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. He has received many awards and accolades. Dr. Mahajan has also been honored by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brijesh Pathak for his special contribution in the field of diabetes and nephrology.

Poor control of diabetes has resulted in a high morbidity and mortality rate in the entire world and has impacted our country equally. Additionally, Dr. Mahajan highlights that people suffering from diabetes suffer more from renal as well as cardiac complications, that if not treated properly can lead to death. The high mortality rate from renal conditions is a worldwide issue that still needs a lot of research.

Body parts affected by diabetes

Kidney problems can also occur due to diabetes, which is called diabetic kidney disease. About 1 in every 3 adults with diabetes has kidney disease. Diabetic kidney disease occurs when the filters (glomeruli) of the kidney are damaged and the kidney starts releasing abnormal amounts of protein from the blood into the urine. This condition can be dangerous for the body. If left untreated, kidney failure can also occur.

If the disease of diabetes increases in someone, then there is swelling around the eyes and legs(pedal edema) and in many occasions shortness of breath(dyspnoea) due to fluid overload. This can simply mean that the kidney is also being affected due to diabetes and diabetic kidney disease has started. Apart from this, the symptoms of diabetic kidney disease can also be difficulty in thinking, loss of appetite, nausea vomitting, generalised weakness, weight loss, dry, itchy skin, muscle cramps, swollen feet and ankles, frequent urination, yellow urine and getting sick frequently.

High-Risk Groups

Patients with type 1 diabetes are more prone to kidney-related diseases than patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetic kidney disease is quite common in people with type 1 diabetes, but this problem is also seen more in people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetic kidney disease can be the main cause of kidney failure. Of those who are on dialysis, one in five people have diabetic kidney disease.

Tips to Prevent

Patients with type 1 diabetes are more prone to kidney-related diseases than patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetic kidney disease is quite common in people with type 1 diabetes, but this problem is also seen more in people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetic kidney disease can be the main cause of kidney failure. Of those who are on dialysis, one in five people have diabetic kidney disease.

Eat a healthy diet, keep body weight in a healthy range, reduce salt use, and if you have diarrhea, vomiting, fever, etc., drink plenty of fluids and exercise regularly to prevent dehydration. If you fall in the high-risk group, get your kidney function checked regularly. Even after this, if there is any kind of discomfort, then contact a good nephrologist or diabetes specialist.