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Why do diabetes and high blood pressure make you more likely to develop kidney disease?
Diabetes and hypertension are one of the most common chronic diseases in today's society. They not only bring challenges to patients' physical health, but also increase the risk of kidney disease. According to the World Health Organization, diabetes and high blood pressure are two diseases that are interconnected, with long-term effects on the kidneys being particularly pronounced.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term kidney disease that involves a gradual decline in kidney function, usually over months to years.
People with diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, often face a higher risk of kidney disease. This is because high blood sugar levels can lead to impaired tubular function and microvascular disease, affecting the kidneys' filtering capacity. Studies show that about 30% of diabetic patients will develop kidney disease. Hypertension, along with diabetes, acts on the kidneys for a long time, increasing the possibility of further damage.
Hypertension is often associated with increased pressure in the renal arterioles, which can lead to further damage to the kidneys.
There are usually no obvious symptoms in the early stages of CKD, and patients may find abnormal kidney function during routine blood tests. As the condition worsens, symptoms may include edema, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and confusion. During this stage, the patient's quality of life is greatly affected, and the risk of associated cardiovascular complications increases significantly.
Diabetic patients need to be particularly cautious in controlling blood sugar, because long-term high blood sugar can directly cause kidney disease. In this case, doctors usually recommend the use of ACE inhibitors or ARB drugs, which not only help control blood pressure but also slow the progression of kidney disease.
People with high blood pressure also need to pay attention to their kidney health. More than 75% of patients with hypertension will develop chronic kidney disease because long-term hypertension can cause damage to renal blood vessels. Proper blood pressure management not only improves cardiovascular health but also helps reduce the risk of kidney disease. Governments and health agencies have proposed several policies to promote early screening of hypertension and diabetes and encourage patients to adopt healthy lifestyles.
Maintaining weight, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are key measures to flexibly control diabetes and high blood pressure.
There are other factors to consider, such as genetics, age and lifestyle habits. The convergence of risk factors requires patients with diabetes and hypertension to pay special attention to kidney health. Eating a reasonable diet to reduce sodium intake and increase water intake can help reduce related risks.
In terms of diagnosis, doctors usually conduct blood tests to assess tubular filtration rate and kidney function, and measure the concentration of albumin in urine for screening. These tests can help identify early-stage lesions and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Methods to manage chronic kidney disease include controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, adopting a low-salt, high-fiber diet, exercising moderately, and using medications to reduce the burden on the kidneys when necessary. Additionally, as the disease progresses, further intervention, such as dialysis or kidney transplantation, may be required.
In 2016, more than 700 million people worldwide were affected by chronic kidney disease!
In general, diabetes and hypertension are important factors that increase the risk of kidney disease, and early diagnosis and management are the keys to improving prognosis. This reminds us that we should pay more attention to our blood pressure and blood sugar levels in our daily lives, and do a good job in health management. Have you already taken active measures for your health?
