Kidneys are very essential organs in an organism as they help to filter out all the wastes, balance the fluids and maintain total homeostasis in the body. kidneys are generally quite mute casualties in many common health conditions, such as high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Both these conditions can damage the kidneys over the course of time but which one is worse? Experts weigh in on the implications of these conditions and how the kidneys can be protected from any harm.
What happens when there is High Sugar?
The additional blood glucose that has not been used up ultimately forces the kidneys to work harder, trying to filter out the sugar to eliminate it from blood circulation.
According to Dr. Vijay Negalur, Head, Diabetology, KIMS Hospitals the overworking of blood vessels results in progressive damage to the tiny vessels inside kidneys and therefore function inefficiencies in blood filtering may be experienced over the years which may be diabetes associated nephropathy. As much as damage usually happens in quite a silent mode at the beginning, symptoms are minimal, and very regular checks are important for people who suffer from elevated blood sugar levels.
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What happens when there is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure applies stress continuously on the internal soft blood vessels in the kidneys. Dr. Parin Sangoi, consultant interventional cardiologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, elaborates this blood vessels might harden and narrow as a result of the high pressure which can precipitate a decrease in the functioning of kidneys.
The filtering ability of the kidneys tends to deteriorate on a gradual basis and though such symptoms appear after several years, chronic kidney disease could develop rather silently. MoLa (2012) noted that keeping a regular blood pressure reading in a subject is critical for prevention.
What are Symptoms when the Kidneys are Affected?
Kidney damage usually occurs for some time before one realizes that there is a problem. The problems include common symptoms of swelling anywhere on the body such as hands and feet, changes in urination patterns, tiredness, nausea and high blood pressure with the regular health check-ups include kidney function tests to help catch any early warning signs before possible severe damage occurs.
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Which harms Kidneys More: High Blood Pressure or High Sugar?
Dr. Negalur says that high blood pressure and high sugar are dangerous, but the effect of prolonged uncontrolled blood sugar is more direct and progressive damage to the kidney. Chronic diabetes does damage to glomeruli, the tiny filtering units of kidneys and it usually occurs silently.
High blood pressure does damage to kidneys, but blood vessels are involved in that damage as for blood sugar levels are extremely elevated levels speed the damage up and intensify it. All these patients are at an even more tremendous risk since the combination exacerbates the harm.
What Should One Remember?
Balance the blood sugar and blood pressure to keep one’s kidneys healthy. Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet rich in all nutrients, remain hydrated and see a specialist regularly. Consumption of processed sugars should be limited. One must monitor the daily intake and take prescribed medications for kidney health as well as overall well-being in the long haul.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on information available on public domain. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice on kidney health and management.
