How is CKD linked with Diabetes and Heart disease?

 

Our body is a complicated system! It is surprising to know that when we study different body organ systems, we read them separately. We have different organ systems that work together. All organs in our body have a specific function to do. They all work throughout the day to keep us healthy, but they still rely on each other to function well. When any of the organs do not work the way they should be, it can put stress on other organs, causing them to stop working properly as well.

This interrelation between organ systems is visible in chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes, and heart disease. It is one of the best examples of how our organs are connected.

CKD linked with Diabetes and Heart disease

It is very well known that our body produces a hormone called insulin to get blood sugar into the body’s cells to be used as energy. When someone has diabetes, their pancreas either doesn’t make enough insulin, or the body is unable to use the existing insulin it makes the way it should be.

If someone is suffering from chronic kidney disease, their kidneys are not able to filter out toxins and waste from their blood properly.

Heart disease is inclusive of several types of heart conditions. The most common conditions include coronary artery diseases. This coronary heart disease leads to changes in blood flow to the heart, which later causes a heart attack.

Now, the question is, how are these three diseases interconnected? It has been observed that the risk factors for all these conditions are similar and include high blood sugar, high blood pressure, obesity, unhealthy diet, family history, physical inactivity, etc.

When the conditions of diabetes are persistent for a long duration of time, it has been observed that it slowly starts damaging the kidneys. With the passage of time, the kidneys stop filtering the blood they should be doing. This leads to the state of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). It is also seen that approximately 1 in 3 adults with diabetes have CKD.

Kidneys have the function of filtering blood. When the kidneys are not functioning well, it puts more stress on the heart. If someone is suffering from kidney disease, their heart needs to put extra effort into pumping harder and sending the blood to the kidneys. This extra effort from the heart leads to heart disease. This has also been a leading cause of death in the United States. A frequent change in blood pressure is also a CKD complication that leads to heart disease.

So, we can conclude that if we are working on the prevention or management of one condition, it can help you prevent and manage the other conditions and lower the risk of other complications.

Prevention of CKD linked Diabetes and Heart disease

There is good news in all of this, and it says that you can manage or prevent CKD, diabetes, and heart disease all at once! The steps involved to keep all these at bay are:

1. Start with an activity you like. Start with a small exercise routine. Getting physically active is one of the best ways that will help you prevent or manage CKD, diabetes, and heart disease.
2. Adding healthy foods and drinks will give your body the fuel it needs to function properly and help to reduce symptoms of all three diseases.
3. Adding fresh fruits and vegetables will help you to maintain a healthy weight. This is another way to prevent or manage these conditions.
4. Smoking and drinking are strict “No”. It is also the best thing one can do for their health. Smoking has been associated with the degradation of your conditions, and quitting will help you prevent CKD, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

High blood glucose in patients with diabetes damages the blood vessels and the nerves that control the heart and blood vessels. Over time, this damage leads to heart disease. It has been observed that people with diabetes tend to develop heart disease at a younger age than people without diabetes. Poorly controlled diabetes also causes damage to the blood vessel that filters waste from the blood. High blood pressure further damages the kidneys by increasing the pressure in the delicate filtering system of the kidneys.

Chronic kidney disease treatment in ayurveda

Chronic kidney disease treatment in ayurveda is done primarily to maintain the overall health of kidneys and to restore the vital functions. Treatment methods include diet, herbs and other natural therapies, which play an important role in the management of renal diseases. 

Also Read : What are the five stages of kidney failure?