7 signs of kidney disease made worse by excessive blood sugar

7 signs of kidney disease made worse by excessive blood sugar
health

Chronic kidney disease is a health condition in which the kidney’s functionality is severely compromised. In fact, the kidneys of people with this disorder get progressively worse in terms of health and functionality. Moreover, high blood sugar, known as hyperglycemia has long been associated with kidney disease. Essentially, high blood sugar, if not controlled, may eventually cause kidney failure. Here are some signs of kidney disease caused due to excessive sugar in one’s blood.

Increased urges to urinate
One of the earliest indicators of kidney disease is urgency incontinence or an increased need to pee often during a given day. A frequent urge to urinate is seen in people who have stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD). This is an advanced stage of the health condition, followed soon by kidney failure. A frequent urge to urinate is a symptom that is accompanied by back pain and swollen hands and feet in individuals with kidney disease.

People with elevated blood glucose levels also experience this symptom. Individuals with diabetes may experience incontinence with regard to urination quite commonly in all stages of the disorder. As diabetes causes kidney issues, this is a sign that should prompt people experiencing it to visit a healthcare professional for a checkup to diagnose the condition.

High blood pressure
Kidneys consist of millions of filters known as nephrons, which are filters responsible for blood purification and, by extension, the vital functioning of other critical organs in the body. People with high blood sugar caused due to diabetes suffer from extensive damage to the blood vessels in their kidneys as well as their nephrons. This seriously impacts the functioning of the nephrons and results in blood circulation issues.

Over a period, individuals with high blood sugar also end up suffering from high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues. This directly leads to kidney disease, and in the long term may even cause kidney failure. Usually, high blood pressure and other heart-related problems are early indicators that one’s blood sugar levels are high. This phase is also a precursor to kidney disease and damage. Therefore, if one discovers from their periodic medical checkup reports that they have high blood pressure, they are advised to undergo examinations to measure their blood sugar levels and evaluate the health of their kidneys too.

Loss of appetite
People with diabetes often experience insulin-related issues in their body. Insulin is a hormone responsible for glucose in the blood getting absorbed by the body’s cells. However, high blood sugar and diabetes tend to suppress the effects of insulin. This causes glucose to remain in a person’s blood and the body breaks down fat as a substitute to release energy. This causes ketone poisoning in people with very high blood sugar. One of the characteristic effects of ketone poisoning is that people feel extremely sick and lose their appetite for food.

One of the most identifiable signs of kidney disease is also a loss of appetite. In the case of this health condition, the compounds that build in one’s blood due to reduced kidney functionality suppress appetite in people. Further, people with poorly functioning kidneys struggle to sense the taste in whatever they eat.

A loss of appetite is an alarming indicator of both diabetes and CKD. It also reflects that the various systems in the body are not functioning normally. So, one should not overlook this symptom as it can lead to major health complications in the long run, such as multiple organ issues.

Perpetual weakness and fatigue
Perpetual weakness and fatigue, regardless of whether an individual performs any physical activity or not, is also a sign of kidney disease. This health condition often causes anemia in patients as it affects the circulation of oxygen and nutrients through the blood to all the vital parts of the body. This brings frequent breathlessness and tiredness in people with this condition. Additionally, if a person’s kidneys are not functioning properly, then toxins start building up in their blood. This further contributes to perpetual fatigue and tiredness.

People with blood sugar issues also face constant fatigue throughout the day. So, in a way, blood sugar regulation problems worsen the health situation for those with already weakened kidneys.

Increased thirst for water
A common symptom of diabetes is an almost unquenchable thirst. The kidneys of a person with high levels of blood sugar are put under extreme pressure to clear excess glucose out of the body through urine. This results in people with high blood sugar constantly feeling thirsty to make up for the lost fluids.

Increased thirst is also seen in those with CKD. Failing kidneys affected adversely by diabetes and other issues cannot concentrate urine optimally. This results in a loss of water on a large scale and to compensate for that, one constantly feels thirsty if they have this chronic disorder.

Insomnia
Both high blood sugar and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) abruptly raise and lower the energy levels in a person’s body. Over a period, this causes such individuals to develop insomnia during the night and, as a result, fatigue during the next day.

Insomnia is also closely associated with kidney disease and failure. The large number of toxins that are present in a person’s blood when they have kidney disease brings about perpetual fatigue and also a persistent lack of sleep when they lie on their bed at night.

Itchy skin
People with high blood sugar tend to have dry skin, which is mainly caused by the high glucose levels in a person’s blood. As a result, such individuals are likely to have constantly itchy skin. On the other hand, extremely itchy skin (ranging from simply irritating to life-disrupting) is also a common symptom of advanced kidney disease.

If an individual has itchiness that does not go away after a day or two, they may visit a healthcare expert to determine the cause of the situation.

Latest.

4 practical ways to deal with psoriatic arthritis

4 practical ways to deal with psoriatic arthritis

Arthritis commonly affects people with psoriasis, a disease that results in red patches on the skin with silvery scales. Typically, people experience psoriasis years before they get diagnosed with this arthritis. It affects thirty percent of people with psoriasis. However, in some people, joint problems start before psoriasis or during the same time. Swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the key signs of psoriatic arthritis. Here are the prevalent treatment options for psoriatic arthritis: Treatment options These prescriptions are known to work well against the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis: Otezla Otezla is an oral treatment plan that can be taken with or without food, or as the healthcare professional recommends. You should not chew, split, or crush the tablet before consumption. The recommended dosage depends on your response to treatment and condition. To keep side effects at bay, the doctor may start with a low Otezla dosage and gradually increase it. Rinvoq Rinvoq  should be consumed by mouth with or without food, typically once daily or as the doctor recommends. Do not split, chew, or crush the tablet. It can release the entire dosage in one go and heighten the susceptibility to side effects. To get maximum benefit, you must use Rinvoq regularly. The dosage depends on age and response to the treatment. Adalimumab A biological therapy, Adalimumab helps treat psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis, wherein the body produces excessive TNF. Adalimumab blocks TNF, and lowers inflammation. It is not a painkiller but helps with the condition and starts showing results in two to twelve weeks. Doctors do not prescribe it if you have an infection, your arthritis is not active, or you have not tried other treatment options first. Leflunomide Leflunomide helps treat psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis. It takes about four to six weeks for leflunomide to ease the symptoms. However, for the full effect, consume for six months regularly.
How to manage osteoporosis and improve bone health

How to manage osteoporosis and improve bone health

Osteoporosis is a condition that makes the bone brittle and weak. When severe, even slight pressure caused by coughing, bending over, or falling can cause a fracture. Such fractures are predominant in the spine, wrist, or hip. Osteoporosis occurs if the new bone fails to keep up with the loss of the old bone. It affects men and women, but post-menopausal women are more susceptible. Let’s discuss the correct osteoporosis treatment and management plan: Treatment plan Prolia It is a prescription treatment plan for relieving osteoporosis in women post-menopause who cannot use other options or have not responded well to prior treatment and are susceptible to fractures. Doctors will prescribe it for at least six months. Prolia helps treat both men and women. However, professionals do not recommend it for pregnant women, women trying to get pregnant anytime soon, or people with low blood calcium. Further, those allergic to denosumab or any other Prolia ingredient must avoid it.   Evenity Evenity helps with osteoporosis in two ways: it slows down bone loss and helps build new bone simultaneously. It is an FDA-approved treatment for osteoporosis that comes as a prefilled, single-use syringe with solution. But Evenity may have severe side effects. It aggravates the risk of developing a stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular problems. So, before receiving Evenity, discuss your history, like a stroke or heart attack, especially if it occurred in the last year. Boniva It helps treat and prevent bone loss and maintain stronger bones. Boniva also lowers the risk of fractures or broken bones. Use this treatment option as directed by the doctor. Usually, orthopedics recommend using it once orally on the same day of every month. Ingest it at least an hour before your first meal of the day. Avoid taking it while you are still in bed or at bedtime.
3 tips for diabetes management

3 tips for diabetes management

High blood sugar or hyperglycemia is associated with prediabetes and diabetes. The body generates insulin to manage blood sugar levels. But when the liver produces excessive glucose, and the body makes little insulin or fails to use insulin, it leads to high blood sugar levels. The condition can leave one tired and thirsty, cause blurry vision, and result in the frequent urge to pee. Read on to know some treatment plans for diabetes management: Treatment options for diabetes management Invokana® It is an excellent treatment plan that works in tandem with the proper meal plans and exercise to lower high blood sugar levels in those with type 2 diabetes. Invokana ® also reduces the risk of death from stroke or heart attack. Plus, it helps decrease the risk of end-stage kidney disease and worsening of kidney function. GlucoTrust GlucoTrust promises to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, reduce one’s craving for sugar and unhealthy foods, and support deep sleep. It also claims to have a formula of all-natural ingredients. However, it is strongly advisable to consult your doctor before opting for supplements like GlucoTrust since it may not bring the desired results in all cases. Kerendia® It is an FDA-approved prescription treatment that aids in lowering the risk of complications in people with Type 2 diabetes. Kerendia ® is typically recommended for people with end-stage kidney disease associated with type 2 diabetes. It is available in two strengths of 20 mg and 10 mg. Dexcom G6 CGM System This tool helps decide diabetes treatment decisions sans any fingersticks or calibration. The Dexcom device is FDA-approved and helps one see glucose data in real time and also share the results with their close ones. You can opt for customizable alerts too to check if your glucose levels are too high or too low.
4 tips for dealing with asthma

4 tips for dealing with asthma

Asthma is a respiratory condition wherein the airways in the lungs swell up, become narrow, and produce extra mucus, making it difficult to breathe. People affected can experience breathlessness, coughing, and wheezing. The disease could be a minor issue for some, while others may have to deal with serious long-term symptoms. Although there is no permanent cure for asthma, here are treatment options, foods to have and avoid, and alternative therapies to manage the symptoms: Treatment options Doctors can recommend the right course of treatment based on the severity of asthma symptoms. Here are a few popular options: Tezepelumab:  It is a popular treatment option, approved by the FDA as a supplementary maintenance remedy for pediatric patients over 12 and adults with asthma. Tezepelumab is an injectable option and the first and only biologic to significantly and consistently reduce severe asthma symptoms in clinical trials. Fasenra:  This is a monoclonal antibody that works on the immune system activity in the body. Fasenra helps control the elevated eosinophil count responsible for severe asthma symptoms. This injection is suitable for children over 12 and adults and can be used with other treatment plans to keep flare-ups in check. Nucala:  This is a monoclonal antibody that also reduces the eosinophils in the body. Doctors recommend this option with other treatment plans to control severe symptoms in children (over 6) and adults. Nucala is administered once every four weeks, and it cannot work as a rescue treatment to deal with sudden attacks or breathing problems. Xolair:  This option helps treat moderate to severe allergic asthma symptoms in children (over 6) and adults. This oral treatment option lowers the allergic response in the body, but it is not a rescue treatment to cure sudden asthma attacks. Zyrtec:  Antihistamines like Zyrtec target allergy-related symptoms like runny nose and watery eyes and can ease breathing difficulty in patients with mild to moderate asthma.
4 useful tips for managing migraines

4 useful tips for managing migraines

Migraine is a prevalent health condition in which a person experiences severe headaches, usually on one side of the head. There may also be other symptoms like sensitivity to light, tiredness, and nausea, which can last a few hours to two days. The ailment is triggered due to stress, certain foods, and other factors. While there is no cure for migraines, the following tips can help manage the symptoms effectively: Use the correct treatment options There are several treatments for migraines, but it is essential to choose the correct one after consulting a doctor. The popular options include: Nurtec ODT Nurtec ODT is an oral treatment that can help alleviate symptoms like headaches, pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light in adults. One can use Nurtec ODT on alternate days or as the doctor recommends. Its side effects include allergic reactions, trouble breathing, and rash. UBRELVY It is a fast-acting treatment option that blocks a specific protein in the body known to induce migraine attacks. One can consult a doctor to determine the dosage according to their condition. The most common side effects of UBRELVY are nausea and sleepiness. Excedrin Excedrin is suitable for temporary relief from migraine headaches. It can also treat aches caused by other factors, such as arthritis and toothaches. The treatment has a combination of compounds that work to relieve the symptoms. The side effects include skin reactions and liver damage. QULIPTA QULIPTA is recommended for patients with more frequent migraine episodes. The treatment helps reduce the frequency of migraines by blocking a particular protein that triggers them. Its most common side effects are fatigue, constipation, and nausea. Follow a healthy meal plan Certain foods help alleviate the symptoms, while others aggravate them. So patients must choose wisely. The best foods are: Walnuts Studies have shown that migraine patients usually have low magnesium levels, a nutrient that can relieve pain.
Foods to be avoided by diabetes patients

Foods to be avoided by diabetes patients

Food gets broken down into glucose by the body to release energy for its functioning. Most meal plans combine fats, proteins, sugars, and other essential carbohydrates vital for healthy growth and organ function. However, people with diabetes should be careful about seemingly healthy foods as it can trigger a spike in their blood glucose levels. Here are different foods that are bad for diabetes and should not be eaten regularly: Various foods that are bad for diabetes patients Fruit juices and other drinks Sugar consumption via beverages can spike insulin levels drastically. Did you know that lots of seemingly healthy store-bought fruit smoothies, sports drinks, bottled juices, and sodas can spike blood sugar levels too? Also, natural fruit juices are not necessarily a healthy option as they are high in fructose. Aside from this, cola, iced tea, lemonade, and other flavored beverages are excessively high in carbs, sugar, and fructose. Their regular consumption can trigger insulin resistance, forcing healthy cells to reject insulin and extract glucose for energy.  Another crucial thing to remember is to avoid any type of spirit if you have diabetes. These contain empty calories and can worsen the condition significantly. Cereals, yogurt, and dried fruits Daily breakfast cereals are fortified with essential vitamins and nutrients that make up for a wholesome meal. However, most store-bought cereals are also high in carbohydrates and added sugars that can trigger an instant spike in blood glucose levels. Another seemingly healthy food, yogurt is an excellent probiotic necessary for the body to maintain and improve gut health. But, flavored yogurts or yogurt with assorted berries can cause more harm than good to diabetes patients. Additionally, while dried fruits can be had in moderation, it is advisable to stay clear of sweetened berries and raisins. Also, avoid consuming canned fruits as they contain preservatives and artificial sweeteners.