By Beverleigh H Piepers
The most serious complication of diabetes involving the urinary tract is nephropathy, which involves the kidneys. Nephropathy usually occurs in people who have had diabetes for a long time.
Your kidneys are major filters in your body. Your kidneys contain glomeruli; tiny filters that help to keep the important blood proteins from being disposed of through your urine.
However, a high sugar load in your blood for a long period of time may result in kidney problems. Once your kidneys malfunction, which is medically known as diabetic nephropathy, small quantities of protein leak out of your kidneys into the blood. Furthermore, more severe problems result when your body retains toxins and waste that are normally excreted.
Kidney damage often starts without really being noticed. The earliest sign that can point to this problem is the presence of albumin in your urine. Albumin is the type of protein usually seen with kidney problems. However, as the kidney problem progresses, more and more protein leaks from your kidneys and more and more waste products accumulate in your bloodstream leading to kidney failure which is the most severe type of kidney problem. This can be treated with dialysis, a process that periodically filters impurities from your blood.
What are the ways to keep your kidneys healthy despite have Type 2 diabetes?
1. Keep your blood sugar level within the normal range: The best way to prevent the onset of diabetic nephropathy is to keep your blood sugar level as normal as possible. This means that you need to follow-up with your doctor regularly. This also means you have to monitor your blood sugar constantly.
2. Keep your blood pressure within normal limits: Another key to prevent the onset of diabetic nephropathy is to always make sure that your blood pressure is lower than 130/80. If you happen to have hypertension, it is best to ask your doctor to prescribe you anti-hypertensive medications which you will need to take every day.
3. Follow the eating plan given to you by your doctor or dietitian: Your dietitian may advise you to reduce your intake of protein such as:
* eggs
* cheese, and
* milk
if you already have kidney problems.
4. Have your blood tested yearly for creatinine: Creatinine is an important laboratory finding used in measuring the function of your kidneys.
5. Have your urine tested annually for the presence of albumin: Albumin in your urine reflects the malfunction of your kidneys brought about by your diabetic problem. The more albumin you have in your urine, the more damaged your kidneys may be.
6. Avoid taking painkillers such as aspirin and acetaminophen too often: It's true aspirin can protect your heart, acetaminophen can relieve pain... but taking these medications too often can further damage your kidneys. Ask your doctor about the best medication to take for chronic pain to help prevent further kidney problems.
7. See your doctor right away if you suspect kidney infection. Symptoms of infection to your kidneys and bladder include:
* painful urination,
* increased frequency of urination
* cloudy or reddish urine
* fever, and
* flank pains
Kidney damage and other kidney problems associated with Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. The best way to do this is to educate yourself fully about Type 2 diabetes.
The most serious complication of diabetes involving the urinary tract is nephropathy, which involves the kidneys. Nephropathy usually occurs in people who have had diabetes for a long time.
Your kidneys are major filters in your body. Your kidneys contain glomeruli; tiny filters that help to keep the important blood proteins from being disposed of through your urine.
However, a high sugar load in your blood for a long period of time may result in kidney problems. Once your kidneys malfunction, which is medically known as diabetic nephropathy, small quantities of protein leak out of your kidneys into the blood. Furthermore, more severe problems result when your body retains toxins and waste that are normally excreted.
Kidney damage often starts without really being noticed. The earliest sign that can point to this problem is the presence of albumin in your urine. Albumin is the type of protein usually seen with kidney problems. However, as the kidney problem progresses, more and more protein leaks from your kidneys and more and more waste products accumulate in your bloodstream leading to kidney failure which is the most severe type of kidney problem. This can be treated with dialysis, a process that periodically filters impurities from your blood.
What are the ways to keep your kidneys healthy despite have Type 2 diabetes?
1. Keep your blood sugar level within the normal range: The best way to prevent the onset of diabetic nephropathy is to keep your blood sugar level as normal as possible. This means that you need to follow-up with your doctor regularly. This also means you have to monitor your blood sugar constantly.
2. Keep your blood pressure within normal limits: Another key to prevent the onset of diabetic nephropathy is to always make sure that your blood pressure is lower than 130/80. If you happen to have hypertension, it is best to ask your doctor to prescribe you anti-hypertensive medications which you will need to take every day.
3. Follow the eating plan given to you by your doctor or dietitian: Your dietitian may advise you to reduce your intake of protein such as:
* eggs
* cheese, and
* milk
if you already have kidney problems.
4. Have your blood tested yearly for creatinine: Creatinine is an important laboratory finding used in measuring the function of your kidneys.
5. Have your urine tested annually for the presence of albumin: Albumin in your urine reflects the malfunction of your kidneys brought about by your diabetic problem. The more albumin you have in your urine, the more damaged your kidneys may be.
6. Avoid taking painkillers such as aspirin and acetaminophen too often: It's true aspirin can protect your heart, acetaminophen can relieve pain... but taking these medications too often can further damage your kidneys. Ask your doctor about the best medication to take for chronic pain to help prevent further kidney problems.
7. See your doctor right away if you suspect kidney infection. Symptoms of infection to your kidneys and bladder include:
* painful urination,
* increased frequency of urination
* cloudy or reddish urine
* fever, and
* flank pains
Kidney damage and other kidney problems associated with Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. The best way to do this is to educate yourself fully about Type 2 diabetes.
Post a Comment