Chronic kidney disease is a common complication that coincides with diabetes. One in every three adults diagnosed with diabetes also develops kidney disease. As recent numbers paint a morbid and bitter future for diabetes in the Philippines, there is greater reason to be wary of the symptoms of diabetic kidney disease. It is also important to understand how diabetes actually affects kidney function.
Avoiding Diabetic Kidney Disease
According to a 2019 study by the International Diabetes Federation, the number of diabetic adults in the country will continue to rise to an estimate of 5.2 million in 2030 and 7.2 million in 2045. Philippine Statistics Authority data showed that, from the average 32,991 deaths between 2015 to 2019, the morbidity rate in the country spiked to 37,265 in 2020. Diabetes Mellitus is ranked fourth as the leading cause of death for Filipinos.
In a webinar hosted by Lowsutea founder Andrew Lau last March 26, leading Colorado-based Dr. Larry Chan, Director of Transplant Nephrology, tackled the crucial issue of diabetic kidney disease as one of the most common comorbidities that affect persons with diabetes. Diabetic kidney disease, also known as diabetic nephropathy, is a serious complication of Type I and Type II diabetes in which the kidneys do not function normally. Given the recent statistics regarding the prevalence of diabetes in the Philippines, it becomes all the more essential to also learn to avoid worsening symptoms which may cause complications like diabetic kidney disease.
How Does Diabetes Lead to Kidney Disease?
High blood sugar levels and high blood pressure, which are both manifestations of diabetes, can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys in the long-term. When your kidneys are not functioning properly, they won’t be able to filter blood as usual, and this results in a buildup of wastes inside your body. According to the National Kidney Foundation, people diagnosed with Type I and Type II diabetes show functional changes in their kidneys a few years after the initial diagnosis. For Type I diabetes, kidney damage is apparent after two to five years and about 30 to 40 percent of these cases progress to serious renal damage within 10 to 30 years. As for Type II diabetes, the onset happens at an older age. About 10 to 40 percent will develop end-stage kidney failure.
Causes and Symptoms of Diabetes Kidney Disease
The cause of diabetic kidney disease sprouts from a web of complications that Type I and Type II diabetes can cause to your different organs. Diabetic complications usually snowball into kidney-related diseases. Early symptoms may manifest as stomach ache, vomiting, weight gain, and appetite loss. These develop into severe conditions, such as high protein composition in the urine, high blood pressure, edema and cramps, high levels of BUN and creatinine in blood, anemia, persistent itching, and an increased urge to urinate.
How Can We Address Diabetic Kidney Disease?
It may seem inevitable to get diabetic kidney disease once you are diagnosed with diabetes, but there are still ways to delay the onset of symptoms and push through with your diabetes management and treatment. 
Poor lifestyles can lead to severe complications like diabetic kidney disease. Remember that the gateway to diabetic kidney disease is getting diabetes, so it’s important to practice habits that will lower your blood sugar levels and keep them regulated. Aside from living a healthier lifestyle, all-natural supplements and alternatives like Lowsutea can help cleanse your body from excess sugar, regulate cholesterol levels, and lower the risks of hypertension. Learn more about Lowsutea and its benefits for diabetics and pre-diabetics.
