Is diabetes and kidney disease risk tied to family history?

Question

Hello doctor

I am 35 years old. I have been worried lately and need your advice. Can type 2 diabetes lead to kidney disease? I am pretty scared because I had urine reflux as a child, and both my parents have type 2 diabetes. The thought of developing kidney issues is stressing me out with my family history and my health background. I am anxious about what I can do to prevent any serious complications. Is there anything specific I should be doing to keep my kidneys healthy and manage my diabetes risk?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I just read your query and understand your concern. Please do not panic. Usually, type 2 diabetes does not follow inheritance, but some cases follow inheritance. Mostly, type 1 diabetes must follow inheritance, which starts at the age of below 20 years, so please do not panic.

Here are some risk factors for type 2 diabetes, like sedentary lifestyle, obesity, unhealthy diet, alcohol and smoking, and genetics in some cases. So, tell me the answers to the questions that follow. Then, I will tell you about better prevention of type 2 diabetes.

Do you have symptoms like feeling more thirsty and more frequent urination, especially at night?
Do you feel weakness or blurring of vision and any other symptoms?
Do you take any medicine at this time?
Do you have any other associated factors like smoking, stress, and high blood pressure?

Please let me know so I can help you accordingly. I hope you find this helpful. The answer to your query regarding kidney disease is as follows:

It is a complication of diabetes that develops due to having a long time (ten years) of uncontrolled diabetes. Usually, only controlled diabetes does not cause kidney disease. So, do not panic. In diabetic patients, control of blood sugar with a proper diet plan, exercise, and proper medicine is important to prevent complications of diabetes in risk people like obese patients and those who have genetic factors.

You can control the risk of diabetes by doing regular exercise, mainly walking after eating a meal, and not heavy exercise. Follow the proper diet plan, check blood sugar levels frequently, and drink plenty of fluids. So please give me answers to questions, then I will tell you about better prevention and diet plans.

I hope that you got your answer.

Thank you so much.

Regards.