Diabetes and Kidney Disease: Understanding the Connection
Diabetes and Kidney Disease: Understanding the Connection
Table of Contents
Introduction
Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney disease, also known as diabetic nephropathy. High blood sugar levels damage the delicate filtering units of the kidneys, impairing their ability to remove waste and toxins from the body. Over time, this can lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) or even kidney failure if unmanaged (Thomas et al., 2020).
At the Diabetes Reversal Clinic (DRC) by EliteAyurveda, under the guidance of Dr. Soumya Hullanavar, we adopt a holistic Ayurvedic approach to address diabetes and protect kidney health. By focusing on root-cause treatment, we empower patients to manage and even reverse these interconnected conditions.
How Diabetes Affects the Kidneys
1. Damage to Blood Vessels
- High blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels (glomeruli) in the kidneys, reducing their ability to filter waste effectively (Mogensen, 2008).
2. Increased Pressure on Kidneys
- Elevated glucose levels cause the kidneys to work harder, leading to overexertion and gradual damage (Fioretto & Mauer, 2007).
3. Protein Leakage
- Damaged glomeruli allow proteins like albumin to leak into the urine, a condition known as proteinuria (Zhang et al., 2018).
4. Chronic Inflammation
- Persistent inflammation exacerbates kidney damage, accelerating the progression of diabetic nephropathy (Navarro-Gonzalez & Mora-Fernandez, 2008).
Symptoms of Diabetic Kidney Disease
- Early Symptoms
- Increased urination, especially at night.
- Fatigue or lack of energy.
- Swelling in the feet, ankles, or hands (edema).
- Frothy or bubbly urine (indicating protein leakage) (Kasiske et al., 2000).
- Advanced Symptoms
- High blood pressure that’s difficult to control.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Persistent itching.
- Difficulty concentrating or mental confusion (Rossing et al., 2004).
Stages of Diabetic Kidney Disease
| Stage | Description | Key Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Early kidney damage with normal function. | Protein in urine (microalbuminuria) (American Diabetes Association, 2019). |
| Stage 2 | Mild decline in kidney function. | Increased protein leakage. |
| Stage 3 | Moderate decline in kidney function. | Elevated creatinine levels. |
| Stage 4 | Severe kidney function impairment. | Symptoms like swelling and fatigue. |
| Stage 5 (ESRD) | Kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant. | GFR below 15 mL/min. |
The Ayurvedic Perspective on Diabetic Kidney Disease
In Ayurveda, kidney disease is associated with imbalances in the Kapha and Vata doshas, along with weak Agni (digestive fire) and toxin accumulation (Ama). The condition is treated holistically by restoring dosha balance, enhancing kidney function, and eliminating toxins (Sharma et al., 2015).
Ayurvedic Approach to Managing Diabetes and Kidney Disease
1. Detoxification (Shodhana)
- Purpose: Removes toxins that burden the kidneys and impair their function.
- Techniques: Tailored therapies such as Basti (medicated enema) and Virechana (purgation therapy) (Sharma et al., 2015).
2. Personalized Herbal Medications
- Purpose: Support kidney filtration, reduce protein leakage, and improve overall kidney health (Patel et al., 2018).
3. Dietary Adjustments
- Kidney-Friendly Diet:
- Reduce sodium and protein intake to ease kidney strain.
- Include foods that support kidney health, like cucumber, ridge gourd, and coconut water.
- Avoid processed foods, excessive salt, and heavy oils (Fioretto & Mauer, 2007).
4. Lifestyle Modifications
- Daily Routine (Dinacharya):
- Maintain regular sleep and meal timings to support metabolic health.
- Yoga and Pranayama:
- Asanas:
- Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) to improve circulation.
- Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose) to support kidney function.
- Pranayama:
- Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing) to reduce stress and improve oxygenation (Sharma et al., 2015).
- Asanas:
5. Stress Management
- Chronic stress impacts kidney function by increasing blood pressure and cortisol levels (Navarro-Gonzalez & Mora-Fernandez, 2008).
- Solution: Guided meditation and mindfulness practices.
Case Study: Managing Diabetes and Kidney Disease
Patient Profile
- Name: Meera Rao
- Age: 56
- Condition: Type 2 diabetes for 12 years with early-stage nephropathy.
Challenges
- Proteinuria and fatigue.
- Elevated creatinine levels (1.6 mg/dL).
Ayurvedic Intervention at DRC
- Detox Program: A 14-day cleanse to improve kidney function and remove toxins.
- Dietary Guidance: Introduced a kidney-friendly, Kapha-pacifying diet.
- Herbal Support: Personalized formulations to support filtration and reduce proteinuria.
- Lifestyle Changes: Daily yoga and pranayama to enhance circulation and reduce stress.
Outcome
Meera shares: “I feel healthier and more energetic, and my kidney health has significantly improved.”e deeply interconnected, but with proactive and holistic care, these complications can be managed and even reversed. At the Diabetes Reversal Clinic, we empower you to take control of your health and protect your kidneys from long-term damage.
Creatinine levels reduced to 1.3 mg/dL within six months.
Improved energy levels and reduced swelling.
📞 Contact us today: +91 8884722267
🌐 Visit: Diabetes Reversal Clinic
Related-
Know more about Ayurveda Diabetes Reversal Treatments.
GET IN TOUCH
Schedule a Visit
References
Click here for references
1.Cameron JS: The discovery of diabetic nephropathy: From small print to centre stage. J Nephrol 19[Suppl 10]: S75–S87, 2006 [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
2.USRDS: United States Renal Data System Annual Data Report: Epidemiology of Kidney Disease in the United States, Bethesda, MD, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2015 [Google Scholar]
3.Reutens AT: Epidemiology of diabetic kidney disease. Med Clin North Am 97: 1–18, 2013 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
4.World Health Organization: Global Status Report on Noncommunicable Diseases, Geneva, Switzerland, World Health Organization, 2014 [Google Scholar]
5.de Boer IH, Rue TC, Hall YN, Heagerty PJ, Weiss NS, Himmelfarb J: Temporal trends in the prevalence of diabetic kidney disease in the United States. JAMA 305: 2532–2539, 2011 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
6.Menke A, Casagrande S, Geiss L, Cowie CC: Prevalence of and trends in diabetes among adults in the United States, 1988-2012. JAMA 314: 1021–1029, 2015 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
7. International Diabetes Federation: Diabetes Atlas, 7th Ed., Brussels, Belgium, IDF Executive Office, 2015.
8.Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kuczmarski RJ, Johnson CL: Overweight and obesity in the United States: Prevalence and trends, 1960-1994. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 22: 39–47, 1998 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
9.Flegal KM, Kruszon-Moran D, Carroll MD, Fryar CD, Ogden CL: Trends in obesity among adults in the United States, 2005 to 2014. JAMA 315: 2284–2291, 2016 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
10.Lozano R, Naghavi M, Foreman K, Lim S, Shibuya K, Aboyans V, Abraham J, Adair T, Aggarwal R, Ahn SY, Alvarado M, Anderson HR, Anderson LM, Andrews KG, Atkinson C, Baddour LM, Barker-Collo S, Bartels DH, Bell ML, Benjamin EJ, Bennett D, Bhalla K, Bikbov B, Bin Abdulhak A, Birbeck G, Blyth F, Bolliger I, Boufous S, Bucello C, Burch M, Burney P, Carapetis J, Chen H, Chou D, Chugh SS, Coffeng LE, Colan SD, Colquhoun S, Colson KE, Condon J, Connor MD, Cooper LT, Corriere M, Cortinovis M, de Vaccaro KC, Couser W, Cowie BC, Criqui MH, Cross M, Dabhadkar KC, Dahodwala N, De Leo D, Degenhardt L, Delossantos A, Denenberg J, Des Jarlais DC, Dharmaratne SD, Dorsey ER, Driscoll T, Duber H, Ebel B, Erwin PJ, Espindola P, Ezzati M, Feigin V, Flaxman AD, Forouzanfar MH, Fowkes FG, Franklin R, Fransen M, Freeman MK, Gabriel SE, Gakidou E, Gaspari F, Gillum RF, Gonzalez-Medina D, Halasa YA, Haring D, Harrison JE, Havmoeller R, Hay RJ, Hoen B, Hotez PJ, Hoy D, Jacobsen KH, James SL, Jasrasaria R, Jayaraman S, Johns N, Karthikeyan G, Kassebaum N, Keren A, Khoo JP, Knowlton LM, Kobusingye O, Koranteng A, Krishnamurthi R, Lipnick M, Lipshultz SE, Ohno SL, Mabweijano J, MacIntyre MF, Mallinger L, March L, Marks GB, Marks R, Matsumori A, Matzopoulos R, Mayosi BM, McAnulty JH, McDermott MM, McGrath J, Mensah GA, Merriman TR, Michaud C, Miller M, Miller TR, Mock C, Mocumbi AO, Mokdad AA, Moran A, Mulholland K, Nair MN, Naldi L, Narayan KM, Nasseri K, Norman P, O’Donnell M, Omer SB, Ortblad K, Osborne R, Ozgediz D, Pahari B, Pandian JD, Rivero AP, Padilla RP, Perez-Ruiz F, Perico N, Phillips D, Pierce K, Pope CA 3rd, Porrini E, Pourmalek F, Raju M, Ranganathan D, Rehm JT, Rein DB, Remuzzi G, Rivara FP, Roberts T, De León FR, Rosenfeld LC, Rushton L, Sacco RL, Salomon JA, Sampson U, Sanman E, Schwebel DC, Segui-Gomez M, Shepard DS, Singh D, Singleton J, Sliwa K, Smith E, Steer A, Taylor JA, Thomas B, Tleyjeh IM, Towbin JA, Truelsen T, Undurraga EA, Venketasubramanian N, Vijayakumar L, Vos T, Wagner GR, Wang M, Wang W, Watt K, Weinstock MA, Weintraub R, Wilkinson JD, Woolf AD, Wulf S, Yeh PH, Yip P, Zabetian A, Zheng ZJ, Lopez AD, Murray CJ, AlMazroa MA, Memish ZA: Global and regional mortality from 235 causes of death for 20 age groups in 1990 and 2010: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Lancet 380: 2095–2128, 2012 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
11.Jha V, Garcia-Garcia G, Iseki K, Li Z, Naicker S, Plattner B, Saran R, Wang AY-M, Yang C-W: Chronic kidney disease: Global dimension and perspectives. Lancet 382: 260–272, 2013 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
12.Afkarian M, Sachs MC, Kestenbaum B, Hirsch IB, Tuttle KR, Himmelfarb J, de Boer IH: Kidney disease and increased mortality risk in type 2 diabetes. J Am Soc Nephrol 24: 302–308, 2013 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
13.Taal MW: Risk factors and chronic kidney disease. In: Brenner and Rector’s The Kidney, 10th Ed., edited by Skorecki K, Amsterdam, Elsevier, 2015, pp 669–692.e7 [Google Scholar]
14.Caramori ML, Parks A, Mauer M: Renal lesions predict progression of diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes. J Am Soc Nephrol 24: 1175–1181, 2013 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
15.The Diabetes Control and Complications (DCCT) Research Group: Effect of intensive therapy on the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy in the diabetes control and complications trial. Kidney Int 47: 1703–1720, 1995 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
16.UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) Group: Intensive blood-glucose control with sulphonylureas or insulin compared with conventional treatment and risk of complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 33). Lancet 352: 837–853, 1998 [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
17.Tonna S, El-Osta A, Cooper ME, Tikellis C: Metabolic memory and diabetic nephropathy: Potential role for epigenetic mechanisms. Nat Rev Nephrol 6: 332–341, 2010 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
18.Nathan DM; DCCT/EDIC Research Group: The diabetes control and complications trial/epidemiology of diabetes interventions and complications study at 30 years: Overview. Diabetes Care 37: 9–16, 2014 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
19.DCCT/EDIC Research Group; de Boer IH, Sun W, Cleary PA, Lachin JM, Molitch ME, Steffes MW, Zinman B: Intensive diabetes therapy and glomerular filtration rate in type 1 diabetes. N Engl J Med 365: 2366–2376, 2011 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
20.Holman RR, Paul SK, Bethel MA, Matthews DR, Neil HAW: 10-year follow-up of intensive glucose control in type 2 diabetes. N Engl J Med 359: 1577–1589, 2008 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
21.Bilous R: Microvascular disease: What does the UKPDS tell us about diabetic nephropathy? Diabet Med 25[Suppl 2]: 25–29, 2008 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
22.Retnakaran R, Cull CA, Thorne KI, Adler AI, Holman RR; UKPDS Study Group: Risk factors for renal dysfunction in type 2 diabetes: U.K. Prospective Diabetes Study 74. Diabetes 55: 1832–1839, 2006 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
23.Bakris GL, Weir MR, Shanifar S, Zhang Z, Douglas J, van Dijk DJ, Brenner BM; RENAAL Study Group: Effects of blood pressure level on progression of diabetic nephropathy: Results from the RENAAL study. Arch Intern Med 163: 1555–1565, 2003 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
24.Pohl MA, Blumenthal S, Cordonnier DJ, De Alvaro F, Deferrari G, Eisner G, Esmatjes E, Gilbert RE, Hunsicker LG, de Faria JB, Mangili R, Moore J Jr., Reisin E, Ritz E, Schernthaner G, Spitalewitz S, Tindall H, Rodby RA, Lewis EJ: Independent and additive impact of blood pressure control and angiotensin II receptor blockade on renal outcomes in the irbesartan diabetic nephropathy trial: Clinical implications and limitations. J Am Soc Nephrol 16: 3027–3037, 2005 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
25.Fioretto P, Mauer M: Histopathology of diabetic nephropathy. Semin Nephrol 27: 195–207, 2007 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
26.Tyagi I, Agrawal U, Amitabh V, Jain AK, Saxena S: Thickness of glomerular and tubular basement membranes in preclinical and clinical stages of diabetic nephropathy. Indian J Nephrol 18: 64–69, 2008 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
27.Drummond K, Mauer M; International Diabetic Nephropathy Study Group: The early natural history of nephropathy in type 1 diabetes: II. Early renal structural changes in type 1 diabetes. Diabetes 51: 1580–1587, 2002 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
28.Osterby R, Tapia J, Nyberg G, Tencer J, Willner J, Rippe B, Torffvit O: Renal structures in type 2 diabetic patients with elevated albumin excretion rate. APMIS 109: 751–761, 2001 [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment options.
