As we all know, the kidneys play a crucial role in our body by taking on the task of filtering our blood and removing waste and excess fluids.

They also help regulate our blood pressure and produce the hormone erythropoietin, which helps create red blood cells. However, two common health conditions, high blood sugar and high blood pressure, can silently damage our kidneys over time if left untreated.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the impact of these two conditions on our kidney health and what we can do to protect ourselves.

High Blood Sugar

High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, is a common symptom of diabetes. When our blood sugar levels stay elevated for too long, it can damage our blood vessels, including those in the kidneys.

Over time, this can lead to a condition called diabetic nephropathy, which is the leading cause of kidney failure in the Western world.

The good news is that with proper management of diabetes, we can prevent or slow down the damage to our kidneys.

This includes monitoring our blood sugar levels closely, following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and taking any medications or insulin prescribed by our doctor.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is another major threat to our kidney health. The kidneys help regulate our blood pressure by releasing hormones that cause our blood vessels to widen or narrow.

When our blood pressure is consistently too high, it can damage the blood vessels in our kidneys over time. This condition is known as hypertensive nephropathy.

Unfortunately, hypertension often goes undetected because it rarely has any symptoms until it’s already causing damage.

That’s why it’s important to get regular blood pressure checks, especially if we have a family history of high blood pressure or kidney disease. If we do have hypertension, our doctor may prescribe medications to help lower our blood pressure, along with lifestyle changes such as following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and reducing stress.

The Combined Threat

What’s even more concerning is that high blood sugar and high blood pressure often go hand in hand. In fact, as many as 2 in 3 people with diabetes also have hypertension.

This combination can be especially damaging to our kidneys, as it increases the pressure on our blood vessels while also causing them to narrow.

This double whammy can put us at a much greater risk of developing chronic kidney disease, which is a progressive condition that can ultimately lead to kidney failure.

That’s why it’s so important to keep both conditions under control, even if it means more frequent doctor visits and lifestyle changes.

Protecting Our Kidney Health

Now that we know how high blood sugar and high blood pressure can damage our kidneys, what steps can we take to protect ourselves? Here are some key strategies:.

1. Manage our diabetes.

If we have diabetes, it’s crucial to keep our blood sugar levels under control.

This means testing our blood sugar regularly, taking any medication or insulin as prescribed, following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol.

2. Get our blood pressure checked regularly.

Even if we don’t have any symptoms, it’s important to get our blood pressure checked at least once a year, or more frequently if we have a family history of hypertension or kidney disease.

If our blood pressure is consistently high, our doctor may prescribe medication along with lifestyle changes like following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and reducing stress.

3. Follow a healthy diet.

Eating a diet that’s low in saturated fat, salt, and added sugars can help protect our kidneys as well as our overall health. Choose plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like olive oil and nuts.

Limit processed foods, fast food, and sugary drinks.

4. Stay active.

Exercise can help lower our blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve our overall health. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.

5. Quit smoking.

Smoking can damage our blood vessels and increase our risk of hypertension, diabetes, and other health conditions. If we smoke, it’s never too late to quit. Our doctor can recommend strategies to help us quit for good.

Conclusion

High blood sugar and high blood pressure may seem like minor health concerns, but over time they can lead to serious kidney damage.

By taking steps to manage these conditions and protect our overall health, we can reduce our risk of developing chronic kidney disease and preserve our kidney function for years to come.