Jan 07 , 2026
Kidneys are not the most glamorous organs, I know. They don’t get the hype of the heart or the dramatic flair of the brain. But kidneys are the quiet office employees of your body; showing up every day, filtering waste, balancing fluids, managing minerals, and never asking for applause.
Drumroll please… It’s diabetes.
Yep. That one. The condition most of us have heard about a thousand times, often right after someone offers us sweets and says, “Just one won’t hurt.”
Diabetes (high blood sugar)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation)
Polycystic kidney disease (genetic)
Long-term use of certain medications (like NSAIDs)
Recurrent kidney infections
Obstructions in the urinary tract (stones, enlarged prostate)
Autoimmune diseases (like lupus)
Catching CKD early entails identifying the early causes, such as:
Diabetes
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation)
Polycystic kidney disease (genetic)
Recurrent urinary tract infections
Obstruction in the urinary tract (stones, enlarged prostate)
Long-term use of certain medications (NSAIDs, some painkillers)
Smoking and an unhealthy lifestyle
Unhealthy diet
Physical inactivity
Tobacco use
Excess alcohol consumption
Diabetes
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Chronic glomerulonephritis (kidney inflammation)
Polycystic kidney disease (genetic)
Long-term use of certain medications (NSAIDs, some painkillers)
Even among these, diabetes takes the top spot. Over time, high blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys. These vessels are responsible for filtering waste from your blood. When they’re damaged, the kidneys struggle to do their job properly.
Imagine trying to strain tea using a torn strainer. Leaves everywhere. Messy. Inefficient. That’s what high blood sugar does to your kidneys.
In fact, diabetes is responsible for nearly 40–45% of chronic kidney disease cases worldwide. That’s not a small number. That’s “everyone-knows-someone-with-it” level common.
Your kidneys have millions of tiny filters called nephrons. Their job is to clean your blood. Sugar, when constantly high, is like sandpaper for these filters. A little damage at first. Then more. And more. Eventually, the kidneys say, “I’m tired,” and start slowing down.
This condition is often called diabetic kidney disease or diabetic nephropathy. Fancy name, serious issue.
Here’s the annoying thing about chronic kidney disease: it doesn’t shout. It whispers.
In the early stages, you won’t feel pain. No dramatic warning signs. No kidney alarm ringing at 3 a.m. You can feel absolutely fine while damage is quietly happening inside.
That’s why diabetes is such a dangerous risk factor. Many people live with high blood sugar for years without realizing how much stress it’s putting on their kidneys.
If diabetes is the gold medalist, high blood pressure is the silver medalist. These two often travel together like best friends who bring trouble.
High blood pressure puts extra force on the kidney filters, damaging them over time. When diabetes and high blood pressure team up, kidneys really struggle. It’s like asking a tired worker to do overtime every day; eventually, burnout happens.
But still, diabetes remains the most common and powerful risk factor.
Chronic kidney disease doesn’t just affect your kidneys. It affects your whole body.
As kidney function declines, waste builds up in the blood. You may feel tired, swollen, nauseous, or mentally foggy. In advanced stages, dialysis or transplant may be needed.
And here’s the kicker: most people find out very late, often during routine tests or when symptoms finally become impossible to ignore.
You don’t wake up one day and say, “Ah, yes, today feels like a kidney disease day.”
CKD grows slowly, like a plant you didn’t water but somehow survived… badly.
That’s why knowing the biggest risk factor matters. Awareness gives you a chance to stop the problem before it turns serious.
Treating chronic kidney disease naturally involves the following aspects:
Keeping blood sugar in target range
Managing blood pressure
Staying hydrated (not drowning yourself, just sensible water intake)
Eating a balanced, kidney-friendly diet
Avoiding unnecessary painkillers and supplements
And yes, regular check-ups. I know. Not exciting. But neither is dialysis.
Illness of the kidneys may occur without the person being aware of a progression leading to ill health. Ayurveda views the body in an integrated manner. The most common causes of kidney disease are diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), dehydration, poor diet, and lifestyle. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has received much of the attention, but there is also Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), kidney stones, and kidney infections.
Symptoms of renal disease are usually not obvious. You may initially experience some fatigue, swelling of the arms and/or legs, increased frequency of urination, or a change in urine color. Ayurveda aims to restore the balance of the body's doshas by utilizing natural herbs, dietary modifications, and lifestyle adjustments to support kidney function, rather than merely masking its issues. It is all about supporting the kidneys naturally!
Since you’re clearly interested in kidney health, it’s worth mentioning that traditional systems like Ayurveda focus heavily on balance; blood sugar balance included.
Ayurveda can gently support kidney health in CKD by balancing doshas, improving digestion, and reducing toxins. CKD 5-stage treatment in Ayurveda utilizes herbal remedies such as Punarnava and Gokshura, along with dietary adjustments and lifestyle modifications. However, be sure to visit a reputable hospital. Advanced CKD Treatment and personalized consultation by Karma Ayurveda Hospital can be a great option for you if you are looking for a natural treatment for CKD.
You should pay special attention if you:
Have diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
Have a family history of kidney disease
Have both diabetes and high blood pressure
Have had diabetes for more than 5–10 years
In these cases, regular kidney function tests aren’t “optional extras.” They’re essential.
📩 Ask a Kidney Expert (Free 10-Min Consultation)
So, what is the most common risk factor for chronic kidney disease?
Not stress. Not spicy food. Not cold water at night. It’s long-term high blood sugar that quietly damages kidney filters over time. The good news? Awareness gives you power. Managing diabetes well with CKD 5 stage treatment in Ayurveda can protect your kidneys for years, even decades. Your kidneys don’t ask for much; just stable sugar levels, decent blood pressure, and a little respect.
A: Medicines to control blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, plus newer kidney-protecting drugs. Advanced cases may need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
A: Diabetes, high blood pressure, repeated kidney infections, and long-term use of certain painkillers.
A: Poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, smoking or alcohol, and family history/genetics.
A: Control blood sugar and blood pressure, stay hydrated, eat kidney-friendly foods, avoid unnecessary medicines, and exercise moderately.
A: Herbal remedies, detox therapies (Panchakarma), diet changes, and lifestyle routines to support kidney health naturally.
Karma Ayurveda, established in 1937, is an Ayurvedic hospital with a rich legacy of over eight decades. Led by Dr Puneet Dhawan, the fifth generation... Read More About Us
100 Church Street, Suite 800, New York, NY 10007
US FDA Reg. No.: 14568299376
