Is High BP or Diabetes Damage Your Kidneys?

Yes, they are. In fact, high blood pressure and diabetes are the biggest culprits behind kidney problems.

So, is high BP bad for kidneys? Yes. And is diabetes bad for kidneys? Also, yes. Consider them as two noisy neighbours destroying your building silently. Let's see how and what you can do.

How does high blood pressure damage your kidneys?

Each of your kidneys includes about a million small filters, which have delicate and thin walls. Now, imagine spraying water on them for many years at high pressure. That does not sound very nice, does it?

Thus, high blood pressure can lead to high blood pressure in the kidneys. High blood pressure is responsible for scarring the small vessels, and these vessels become ineffective and do not let waste leave the body. In the study conducted in 1996 (Klag et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 1996), more than 300,000 men took part, and it was observed that the higher the blood pressure was, the higher the risk of end-stage renal disease.

Diabetes can hurt them badly.

Diabetes can affect various parts of the human body, including eyes, kidneys, heart, and feet.

Too much sugar in your blood makes it thick and viscous. Over time, it damages the vessels inside your filters and leads to the accumulation of proteins in your urine.

There are a number of studies that focus on the link between diabetes and kidneys. For instance, the DCCT trial (NEJM, 1993) proved that in type 1 diabetes, better control of blood glucose levels reduces the likelihood of early kidney damage. The UKPDS trial (BMJ, 1998) demonstrated that better blood pressure control in type 2 diabetes also helps prevent kidney problems.

High BP vs. diabetes: the comparison of two conditions

And if you get them both, it becomes the tag team of your nightmare! Experts say it accelerates the progression of the disease.

What warning signs are there?

However, early renal damage is silent. Later, you might observe the following symptoms:

• Foamy or bubbly urine
• Puffy ankles or swollen eyes in the morning
• Constant tiredness
• Itchy skin without obvious cause.
• Changes in urination frequency

Since the symptoms of the condition appear very late, you should ask your doctor to run the annual blood test (creatinine and eGFR) and urine protein test once a year.

What can be done about it?

Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to fix those problems:

Check blood pressure at home and not just at the clinic

• Watch your sugar levels
• Eat less salt and pre-packaged snack foods
• Walk for 30 minutes (yes, the sofa won't be ruined by it)
• Avoid taking painkillers as much as possible since they can negatively impact your kidneys
• Quit Smoking

In addition to medications, people may try natural remedies for kidney disease. While a healthy diet, sleeping habits, and exercise help in the recovery process, they should be combined with the treatment prescribed by a doctor.

Where does Ayurveda fit in this classification?

A lot of patients ask me about the best herbs for kidney problems. Punarnava, gokhru, and Varuna are usually recommended by Ayurveda for urinary system and kidney problems. However, the research is still needed, so they are not a treatment.

If you are interested in Ayurvedic treatment of kidney diseases, you should consult a qualified practitioner and inform your regular doctor about your decision. It is very important not to start taking herbs on your own, because they can have negative interactions with other drugs.

The bottom line

High BP and diabetes can damage your filters slowly. But if it is detected at the beginning, everything can be changed. If you want to choose the Ayurvedic direction of treatment, you should look at Karma Ayurveda, where Dr. Puneet Dhawan specializes in kidney problems. Anyway, do the tests and undergo regular medical examinations.

Important lessons learned

Both high BP and diabetes can cause damage to your kidneys

• The damage is usually asymptomatic at the beginning
• The results of the studies conducted on MRFIT, DCCT, and UKPDS supported the identified links
• Yearly blood and urine tests detect problems in their earliest stages
• Healthy habits help, and Ayurveda works best alongside your doctor's advice

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FAQs

Is high BP bad for kidneys?

Yes, high pressure scars the tiny filters over time.

Is diabetes bad for kidneys?

Yes, extra sugar slowly damages those filters too.

Can kidney damage be reversed?

Early damage can often be slowed down, but lost filters don't grow back.

Which test checks kidney health?

A simple blood test for creatinine and eGFR, plus a urine protein test.

Can Ayurvedic herbs replace my medicines?

Nope, please use them only with your doctor's approval.

Disclaimer

This blog is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please don't start, stop, or change any medicine or herb without talking to your doctor. If you have symptoms or a health condition, get checked by a qualified medical professional.