| Renal Failure and Diabetes |
Kidney Failure
As a diabetic, one of the more serious problems we face is
kidney failure. Over 100,000 people in the US alone recieve
this diagnosis. By definition, kidney failure occurs when the
kidneys can no longer do their job of removing waste from
your body. The main treatment option is dialysis, which
basically cleans the waste from your body through an exterior
program. The second way to save your life is to have a kidney
transplant. By retaining tight BG control, you can go a long
way to prevent this serious problem.
African Americans, American Indians and Hispanics (Latinos)
are more prone to both diabetes and nephropathy than
Caucasions, for reasons as yet unknown to science. Factors
that are believed to play a roll here are high blood pressure,
heredity and diet. A diet too heavy with protein can lead to
disaster. Try to keep your protein in a healthy range. You
may wish to ask a dietician how much protein they reccomend.
Your body does need protein, don't try to cut it out, just be
sensible about the amount you consume.
Nephropathy is not limited to any specific form of diabetes.
This means those of you with type 1 are in the same boat as
type 2's. Approximately 30 % of diabetics go on to develop
kidney (renal) failure by the age 50. Of course there is much
more awareness placed on type 2's, because 90 to 95% of
diagnoses are type 2. Type 1's are also in need of careful
monitoring. This can occur at any age, not just after 40.
kidney failure. Over 100,000 people in the US alone recieve
this diagnosis. By definition, kidney failure occurs when the
kidneys can no longer do their job of removing waste from
your body. The main treatment option is dialysis, which
basically cleans the waste from your body through an exterior
program. The second way to save your life is to have a kidney
transplant. By retaining tight BG control, you can go a long
way to prevent this serious problem.
African Americans, American Indians and Hispanics (Latinos)
are more prone to both diabetes and nephropathy than
Caucasions, for reasons as yet unknown to science. Factors
that are believed to play a roll here are high blood pressure,
heredity and diet. A diet too heavy with protein can lead to
disaster. Try to keep your protein in a healthy range. You
may wish to ask a dietician how much protein they reccomend.
Your body does need protein, don't try to cut it out, just be
sensible about the amount you consume.
Nephropathy is not limited to any specific form of diabetes.
This means those of you with type 1 are in the same boat as
type 2's. Approximately 30 % of diabetics go on to develop
kidney (renal) failure by the age 50. Of course there is much
more awareness placed on type 2's, because 90 to 95% of
diagnoses are type 2. Type 1's are also in need of careful
monitoring. This can occur at any age, not just after 40.
Some of the first signs of possible kidney problems include fluid retention (edema) in
legs, or your face. Fatigue, serious headaches, nausea, vomiting, foamy urine, and
generalized itching are all things that need to be watched for. Poor appetite is another
indicator something may be going on.
Kidney disease is not a fast developing disease. It can take many years to be
diagnosed. Through the years, small amounts of blood protein (albumin) leak into the
urine. This is the first stage, or microalbuminuria. Filtration by your kidneys is still
normal at this time. As time goes by, this progresses into overt microalbuminuria. During
this time, the filtration is slowed down, capability to cleanse the body becomes a serious
issue. Creatinine is one of those wastes that is held onto. Because of this, a test for
creatinine will tell your doctor how your kidneys are functioning. Your doctor may
become suspicious of renal falure if your blood pressure makes unexpected high
readings. This is also a very good reason to know your family's medical history.
If you are a diabetic with high blood pressure, you will be watched more carefully for
kidney damage or failure. Not only must urine be monitored, blood passes through your
kidneys for filtration. In an unhealthy kidney, the system fails to remove the waste. This
a direct path to kidney disease or failure. To hopefully slow down the progression of
kidney failure/disease, drugs are used to lower your blood pressure. These drugs are
angiotensin-converting enzyme (the ones referred to as ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin
receptor blockers (commonly known as ARB's). This is not to say these are the only
drugs used for slowing down kidney damage. Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers,
and other blood pressure medications may be used as well.
A third treatment for treating a diabetic hoping to prevent these problems, is exactly what
we teach here at ADI. Tight BG's, and physical exercise. Staying on top of your A1c is
very important because it also helps prevent kidney failure/damage. Buy a BP kit and
learn how to keep your blood pressure controlled. Limit sodium. Have your urine
checked yearly for microalbumin and protein. Ask that your blood be checked for
elevated amounts of waste such as creatinine. Remember, this is a slow developing
disease. You can be ontop of it before it becomes an issue, makes real sense, doesn't it?
If you have been diagnosed with renal (kidney) failure, do not lose hope. There is a
great deal of research going on out there. The same research working to develop ways
to prevent or cure diabetes, is also working dilligently to cure or prevent kidney disease.
legs, or your face. Fatigue, serious headaches, nausea, vomiting, foamy urine, and
generalized itching are all things that need to be watched for. Poor appetite is another
indicator something may be going on.
Kidney disease is not a fast developing disease. It can take many years to be
diagnosed. Through the years, small amounts of blood protein (albumin) leak into the
urine. This is the first stage, or microalbuminuria. Filtration by your kidneys is still
normal at this time. As time goes by, this progresses into overt microalbuminuria. During
this time, the filtration is slowed down, capability to cleanse the body becomes a serious
issue. Creatinine is one of those wastes that is held onto. Because of this, a test for
creatinine will tell your doctor how your kidneys are functioning. Your doctor may
become suspicious of renal falure if your blood pressure makes unexpected high
readings. This is also a very good reason to know your family's medical history.
If you are a diabetic with high blood pressure, you will be watched more carefully for
kidney damage or failure. Not only must urine be monitored, blood passes through your
kidneys for filtration. In an unhealthy kidney, the system fails to remove the waste. This
a direct path to kidney disease or failure. To hopefully slow down the progression of
kidney failure/disease, drugs are used to lower your blood pressure. These drugs are
angiotensin-converting enzyme (the ones referred to as ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin
receptor blockers (commonly known as ARB's). This is not to say these are the only
drugs used for slowing down kidney damage. Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers,
and other blood pressure medications may be used as well.
A third treatment for treating a diabetic hoping to prevent these problems, is exactly what
we teach here at ADI. Tight BG's, and physical exercise. Staying on top of your A1c is
very important because it also helps prevent kidney failure/damage. Buy a BP kit and
learn how to keep your blood pressure controlled. Limit sodium. Have your urine
checked yearly for microalbumin and protein. Ask that your blood be checked for
elevated amounts of waste such as creatinine. Remember, this is a slow developing
disease. You can be ontop of it before it becomes an issue, makes real sense, doesn't it?
If you have been diagnosed with renal (kidney) failure, do not lose hope. There is a
great deal of research going on out there. The same research working to develop ways
to prevent or cure diabetes, is also working dilligently to cure or prevent kidney disease.
By: Marilyn Neves
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21st Edition June 2007