Safeguard Your Kidneys In Diabetes

Dr George L Bakris explains how high blood sugar levels can affect the functioning of the kidney.

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Kidney disease explained

Our kidneys play an important role in managing the level of water, salt and other minerals in the body. The kidneys filter blood and remove waste and excessive elements to maintain water and electrolyte balance in the body. Our kidneys consist of small units called nephrons which filter the waste and excess minerals from the blood. Diabetes or high blood sugar levels can scar and thicken the nephrons. This causes the nephrons to release a protein called albumin in the blood. Creatinine is a waste product filtered by the kidney from the blood. It is then sent to the urinary bladder to be eliminated through urine.

Kidney Functioning

Kidney functioning is assessed by measuring the level of serum creatinine present in the blood. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a test recommended to measure the filtration rate of the kidney. It is also used to check the stages of kidney damage. The test measures the level of serum creatinine present in the blood and provides an insight into the functioning of the kidney.

Diabetic nephropathy explained