Diabetes and Kidney Disease

There are many side effects that a person with diabetes needs to be aware of and watch for. A major side effect of the disease diabetes is kidney disease. Here are some tips to help you know the symptoms of kidney disease.

Our kidneys filter our blood of unwanted waste products. If the kidneys are healthy, the wastes will pass out of the body in urine. And, the good things are left in the blood stream. However, people with diabetes can develop problems in their kidneys if blood glucose levels are not kept in the normal range.

Another name for kidney disease is nephropathy. If you are suffering from nephropathy, your kidneys will first be overworked. Then, they will start to leak. Next, they will not be able to filter waste products from the blood. And, finally, they will fail completely.

When people with diabetes have levels of blood glucose that are too high, it is very hard on the kidneys. They start to filter the blood more than is needed to try and get the glucose levels back to normal. This causes them to be overworked.

When the kidneys are overworked, they can start to leak. One thing they will possibly is a protein called albumin. This will be leaked into the urine. This is the first detectable sign of kidney damage. As more leaks into the blood, the less there is in the kidneys.

The main job of albumin is to hold water in the blood. If there is not enough albumin in the blood then water will leak out of the blood vessels. This water can leak in to the ankles, the abdomen, and the chest. It will make the ankles swell, the abdomen bloat, and hinder breathing in the chest. This can be the first sign that is noticed indicating problems with the kidneys.

If this goes on for a time, the overworked kidneys will simply stop working. This means the filters that are working will have more work and become overloaded themselves. Eventually, they will stop working as well. Eventually, there will be no filters to remove the waste from the blood stream and it will begin to build up.

When these toxins in the blood begin to build up, it is called kidney failure or, possibly, end-stage disease. There are several symptoms of kidney failure. They can include foul taste in the mouth, poor appetite, upset stomach, vomiting, bruising easily, restless legs, sleepless nights, daytime fatigue, and lack of concentration. If the kidney disease gets to this point the only treatment is transplant or dialysis.

There are several things you can do to slow down or prevent kidney disease. Keep your blood glucose levels close to normal. This will take hard work and close monitoring. You should also have your doctor do regular checks on your kidney functions

Most people who have diabetes and kidney disease will also have eye problems. You should have your eyes checked at least once a year. Be sure they dilate your pupils and check for bleeding.

It is also a good idea to keep a close watch on your blood pressure. If the kidneys are not working correctly, extra water and salt will stay in the body. This could make your blood pressure rise. High blood pressure will also make your kidneys become overworked.

Protein intake should be limited to 6 grams a day. This is the minimum to stay healthy. Protein is difficult for the kidneys to process. So, if you limit your intake, you will be helping your kidneys so they will not have to work so hard. Foods that are high in protein include meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, cheese, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. You can consult a dietitian to develop a low protein diet.

If you have diabetes, there are many aspects of the disease you need to keep on top of. The main thing is to keep your blood glucose levels healthy. Hopefully, these tips will help you realize if your kidneys need to be checked out by your doctor. Finding out about problems early is the best way to stay healthy.

SOURCE

American Diabetes Association. "Diabetes A to Z: What You Need To Know About Diabetes - Simply Put". 1997. American Diabetes Association. VA, USA.