Am I at risk for kidney disease?

Q:

I was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and I know it can cause kidney damage. Is there any way to avoid that?

A:

There is! A study in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care finds that 46% of folks being treated for diabetes have signs of kidney disease. The reason? High blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the organs, so they work less efficiently.

The good news: Keeping your blood sugar in the healthy range can play a huge role in protecting your kidneys, and the best way to do that is to eat fiber-rich foods. Australian researchers found that eating 40 grams of fiber a day, with at least 13 grams from whole grains (about 1 cup of oats plus two slices of whole-grain bread), can reduce the risk of kidney damage by 57%. Fiber slows the absorption of sugar, and whole-grain fiber is low in the type of sugar that causes blood-sugar flux. Also smart: Take a 20-minute bath daily. British scientists found that doing so boosted bloodsugar control by 30% in two weeks.

Q

Lately my hand goes numb when I hold my phone, and occasionally, I feel a burning sensation in my wrist. What could be causing this?

A

It could be carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a condition caused by compression of the median nerve, which passes through the wrist. The angle at which you hold your phone can put pressure on this nerve, but simple steps can eliminate symptoms.

First, when you feel pain, rub on a menthol cream like Biofreeze

(at drugstores)—a strategy that reduced CTS numbness and pain by 31% within an hour, say researchers in the journal Rehabilitation Research and Practice. And wearing a cushioned splint while you sleep keeps your wrist in a neutral position so the nerve doesn’t get pinched. Finally, putting a grip on your phone, like a PopSocket (Amazon.com), changes the angle at which you hold the device, easing pressure. But if symptoms worsen or you experience loss of function, see your doctor for more options.