SILENT NO MORE: DIABETES AND ITS COMPLICATIONS
By: Ailene Buelva-Martin
The country has been in a state of shock learning of the untimely passing of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino. It was later released that PNoy had been suffering from end stage renal disease from diabetic nephropathy needing hemodialysis and was apparently being prepared for kidney transplant. Unfortunately, he passed away before this life saving procedure can be done. Rest in peace, PNoy!
Diabetes mellitus is the number one cause of kidney disease in the Philippines and all over the world. Diabetes is a silent killer. Diabetic patients are initially asymptomatic with only an elevated sugar as its manifestation. “Wala naman ako nararamdaman!” is an all too familiar line by patients who cannot accept that they are diabetic and would commonly forgo taking medications. It would take years to develop complications from uncontrolled diabetes. But by then, it will be too late.
There are two main complications of Diabetes namely: 1. macrovascular disease and 2. microvascular disease. Macrovascular diseases are those which involve large vessels. This predisposes patients to heart attacks, strokes and peripheral artery disease or poor circulation to the legs. Microvascular disease pertain to the small vessels being damaged leading to possible blindness (retinopathy), kidney failure
(nephropathy), and problems with sensation (neuropathy). Diabetic foot is a result of the effects of both neuropathy (loss of sensation) and peripheral artery disease (lack of blood flow). Wounds on the feet usually are unnoticed and heals poorly because of the lack of blood flow to the legs leading to gangrene. If Diabetes mellitus is left untreated, leading to uncontrolled high sugar levels—these will be the irreversible damages that it can cause the different organs of the body.
In kidney failure, people may not experience any symptoms until 90% of the kidney function is damaged. Hence, the need to have regular check-up of kidney function especially in high risk individuals with diabetes, hypertension, obesity and with family history of kidney disease. These are the signs and symptoms of kidney failure: decreased urine output, swelling in the legs, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness and other severe symptoms such as seizures. If you experience any of the mentioned symptoms, it’s time to consult a kidney specialist!
May this be an eye-opener to all Filipinos to take good care of their bodies. Do a diet and lifestyle check and modify them appropriately to a more healthy you!
Here are the 8 golden rules to guide you to healthy kidneys by the World Kidney
Day organization:
1. Keep fit, be active
2. Eat a healthy diet
3. Check and control your blood sugar
4. Check and control your blood pressure
5. Take appropriate water intake (avoid sugary drinks)
6. Don’t smoke
7. Don’t take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory/pain-killer pills regularly
8. Get your kidney function checked regularly
The pandemic should not be an excuse, but rather, gives us all the more reasons to live a healthy life aligned to Kidney Month’s theme: “Matatag na Bato sa Kapanahunang Ito”.
