Introduction
Diabetes is a chronic disease that, if left untreated, can lead to various severe conditions. It is a condition where excess sugar accumulates in the bloodstream because the body cannot produce enough insulin or has insulin resistance. High blood sugar leads to heart disease, diabetic nephropathy, eye damage, or diabetic neuropathy. Therefore, we must monitor our blood glucose levels regularly.
There are various tests used to measure blood sugar levels. A random blood sugar test is conducted to check our random blood sugar level at any time of the day.
Importance of Random Blood Sugar Level Test
Unlike other blood glucose tests, a random blood glucose test does not require fasting. A random blood sugar level higher than 200 mg/dL suggests that you have diabetes. A random blood glucose test can also help us to monitor hyperglycemia, a condition when blood glucose levels rise above the normal range.
It can prevent the onset of chronic diseases, like diabetic nephropathy, if diagnosed early. The test is helpful for people with type 1 diabetes or people requiring a speedy diagnosis. Moreover, diabetics take insulin to keep their sugar levels in control. Random glucose tests throughout the day can help them check how effectively insulin or other medications work.
On the other hand, it is also essential to measure random blood sugar levels in circumstances where people suffer from hypoglycemia where the blood glucose level falls below the normal range. Hypoglycemia can be life-threatening if not monitored on time.
What is Diabetic Nephropathy?
Uncontrolled diabetes for several years can lead to kidney damage, known as diabetic nephropathy. It is a severe complication commonly seen in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In diabetic nephropathy, the kidneys lose their ability to remove the extra fluid and wastes from our bodies. With time, the condition worsens, and the kidney’s filtering system damages gradually.
Diabetic nephropathy can lead to kidney failure if not diagnosed and treated on time. Kidney failure is a life-threatening condition that might require dialysis or even a kidney transplant. One of the most effective treatments is controlling diabetes and starting treatment early, which might reduce the disease’s progression and chances of complications.
Symptoms of Diabetic Nephropathy
The early stages of diabetic nephropathy might not show any symptoms, but in the later stages, the following symptoms can be seen:
- Protein in our urine
- Uncontrollable high blood pressure
- Frequent need to urinate
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of hands, ankles, feet, and eyes
- Persistent itching
Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy
In the first stage of diabetic nephropathy, you must control blood pressure and blood sugar levels. You also have to adopt lifestyle changes. With proper medicines, diet and exercise, you might prevent further complications.
In the early stages of diabetic nephropathy, we have to consume the following medicines:
- Blood pressure medicines like angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs).
- High blood sugar management medicines such as Metformin or SGLT2 inhibitors might be prescribed. Controlling blood sugar levels in check is very important in reducing the progress of diabetic nephropathy. The higher our sugar levels, the more damage it will cause to our kidneys.
- High cholesterol-reducing medicines like Statin help to reduce protein in our urine.
- Medicines like Finerenone or Kerendia reduce tissue scarring and inflammation in diabetic nephropathy. They can reduce the risk of kidney failure, a decline in kidney function, cardiovascular death, or heart failure.
In the later stages of diabetic nephropathy, our doctor will decide on the following treatment options:
- Kidney dialysis: There are two kinds of dialysis, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. It helps remove the extra fluid and waste products from our blood. Each session of dialysis takes about three to five hours.
- Transplant: When even dialysis doesn’t work, doctors might suggest a kidney transplant. The doctors will conduct tests and determine whether we are fit for the transplant.
- Symptom management: If we choose not to go through dialysis or kidney transplant, our life expectancy might reduce. Doctors might suggest treatment to control symptoms.
Conclusion
Lifestyle changes and diet plays an essential part in diabetes control. Diabetes control is critical in preventing life-threatening diseases like diabetic nephropathy.
Uncontrolled diabetes not only damages our kidneys but the heart, eyes, and nerves as well. Therefore, we should regularly monitor our sugar levels. One way to track your blood sugar levels is to measure the random blood sugar levels at any time of the day.
