Diabetes, Kidney Failure and Dialysis Go Hand in Hand
So many people do not realize just what diabetes can do to you. I do not want to scare people, I just want to make them aware that diabetes is not to play around with because it is the number one cause of chronic kidney failure.
What exactly is kidney failure? To put it plainly, it is the loss of kidney function. The medical explanation is that the kidneys are the body parts that get rid of waste products resulting from the metabolism of the body. When the kidneys fail, they do not remove this waste and the waste begins to build up in the blood and the body. Since the waste products are toxic and deadly in large amounts, dialysis or a kidney transplant are the only options when the kidneys fail.
Renal (kidney) failure can happen just in a matter of days; or it can happen over a period of weeks, months, or years.
If you are a diabetic (but you do not have to be to have kidney failure) and notice any of the following symptoms, go to your doctor immediately. If your doctor's office is closed for some reason, get to the emergency room. Do not wait!
Signs and symptoms may be: tiredness, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, itching, breathlessness, swelling also known as oedema/fluid retention (ankles especially), and/or weakness.
Dialysis is not a fun experience according to the people who have to take these treatments. Many people do not realize what dialysis really means, so here is an overview of this treatment.
There are two types of dialysis. The first one, Peritoneal Dialysis, is when a plastic tube is placed inside the abdomen and led out on the stomach to the skin's surface. A special made fluid is run into the body for several hours and the run back out taking the toxic substances with it. Occasionally this type of dialysis, with the help of a support team, the patient can learn to do him/herself at home.
The second type is Haemodialysis. This is when the patient's blood is lead through a machine called an "artificial kidney". The machine cleans the blood and then puts it back into the body through a tube in the arm. This must be done at a specialized hospital, usually takes a few hours, and must be repeated approximately every couple of days.
Therefore, if you are diabetic, make sure your doctor checks your kidney functions often. Keep your diabetes under control. Be cautious of using any type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen. And take care of yourself, exercise regularly, get plenty of rest, and watch your diet (limit or cut out completely salt/sodium), and avoid alcohol products and excessive amounts of red meat.
Source(s):
Having a loved one who had diabetes and kidney failure
Published by lori beeler
I am 40 years old and married with a 5 year old little boy. I have enjoyed writing for many years now. My favorite things are reading the Bible and having fun with my family. View profile
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- Renal (kidney) failure can happen in just days or weeks, months, or over years.
- Dialysis is the treatment for the end stage of kidney failure.
- Kidney failure is just put simply as the loss of kidney function.