Can diabetes cause Chronic Kidney Disease?

Five out of ten diabetic Pinoys find themselves eventually diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Failure.

But what is the link between the two diseases?

In an episode of Pinoy MD, Dr. Imelda Antonio said that diabetes is actually the number one cause of Chronic Kidney Disease, which is when the kidneys can no longer filter blood the way they should.

Diabetes is when one's blood glucose is too high.

"Blood glucose para ihahantalintulad mo siya sa fuel o gasolina, so di tatakbo ang sasakyan pag walang gasolina. So ang ating katawan ay tumatakbo din sa pamamagitan din ng asukal o blood glucose," said Antonio.

"Ang blood glucose, para yan pumunta sa ating katawan, kailangan ng insulin. So pwede mo isipin na ang insulin ay parang susi sa pinto, so pag wala yung susi nakasaralang yung pinto, hindi nakakapasok ang asukal," she added.

So how does diabetes affect the kidneys?

Antonio explained that the high level of blood glucose weakens the blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to blood not being able to flow properly.

"Kapag mataas ang blood sugar, ang nangyayari ay nagkakaroon ng pagtaas ng presyon doon sa filtering structure na ito. Dahil sa taas ng presyon na ito, nasisira niya ang kidney," she said.

One way to diagnose Chronic Kidney Disease is checking for increase of protein in urine. This is evident when the urine starts to become bubbly.

"Protein is malaking particle yan, dapat hindi nakikita sa ihi. Ang nakikita sa pasyente mabula ang ihi, magcocomplain yan, 'Doc bat pag umihi ako ang bula?" Pag may protina sa ihi, senyales na nadadamage na ang kidney," Antonio said.

A urinalysis will be needed to check the protein content, as well as a creatinine test, which will test the waste product of the kidneys.

Creatinine is normally excreted by the kidneys but if they're not functioning properly, blood tests may show high levels of creatinine.

It takes about five years for those with Type 2 Diabetes to develop kidney failure.

However, there are ways to prevent this from happening.

"Ang inirerekomenda kasi na diet ay dapat babaan yung pagkain ng protina. So hindi na masyado kang madaming kumain ng karne, mas maganda na ang source ng protein ay isda," said Antonio.

Patients are also advised to monitor their blood pressure and to consult with specialists. — Jessica Bartolome/LA, GMA News