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Type 2 Diabetes Management and Kidney Failure

By: Peter Marsden

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This article takes a look at kidney problems caused by diabetes and what you can do each day and during each year to stay healthy and prevent diabetes related problems.


What do my kidneys do?

Our body produces "nitrogenous" wastes when it processes proteins; and these need to be removed from the blood. The kidneys act as the filters that cleanse nitrogenous waste from the blood. As filters, they remove the wastes and return clean filtered fluid to the body. The kidneys are largely made up of micro filters called glomeruli. When kidneys are functioning normally, the arteries bring blood and wastes from the body into the kidneys, the
glomeruli clean the blood, and the wastes and extra fluid go out via the urine. Filtered and cleansed blood exits the kidneys and returns into the bloodstream through the veins.

How can I prevent type 2 diabetes kidney problems?

All of the potential secondary problems that arise with diabetes are due damage caused when blood glucose levels are outside of the normal range. This is why it's important to be active in checking your blood glucose levels and keeping them close to normal as you can. If uncertain, ask your doctor what blood glucose levels are healthy for you.

Blood pressure is a key concern for type 2 diabetes sufferers. The kidney is basically a bank of micro filters; and like any other filter they are damaged if a fluid medium is squeezed through them under too much pressure. So, the next area to monitor, to avoid kidney problems, is your blood pressure.

The aim is to keep your blood pressure below 130/80; and this will to help prevent kidney damage. Again, ask your doctor what blood pressure range is best for you. If you are on regular blood pressure medications, take them as your doctor directs - it's important no to miss them. Other body parts or functions that will benefit from keeping your blood pressure monitored are your eyes, heart, and
blood vessels.

There are two principal kinds of kidney medications that will slow down renal damage. These are :

· ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor
· ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker)

Do ask your doctor if you should be taking these medications.

Diet can be a factor worsening kidney disease and slowing recovery. Your doctor or dietician will be able to help you work out a healthy dietary plan. If you have kidney problems, they may suggest that you cut back on protein rich foods such as meat.

Regular Check-ups.

Regular testing of these secondary health problems is always part of the management of diabetes. You should have your kidneys checked at least once a year. There is a urine test for the presence of small amounts of protein. This test is called the microalbumin test. There is a blood test for the presence of creatinine. The blood test is used to check your glomerular filtration rate (GFR). It tells you how those micro filters are performing, and is a basic measure of kidney function.

If you suffer from chronic pain, then you should be careful about taking painkillers regularly. Medications like aspirin or acetaminophen can damage the kidneys. You've probably been advised to take a daily dose of aspirin to protect the heart; and that amount should be safe. Taking acetaminophen
for *occasional pain* should also be safe. But if you have chronic pain, such as arthritis, you'll need to work with your doctor to find a pain management strategy that doesn't put your kidneys at risk.

Urinary Tract infections that occur from time to time pose a raised risk with diabetes, so do see your doctor immediately if you develop any bladder or kidney infections. You hould suspect an infection if you have these symptoms:

· pain or burning when you urinate
· a frequent urge to go to the toilet
· urine that looks cloudy or reddish
· fever or a shaky feeling
· pain in your back or on your side below the ribs

How can I protect my kidneys during special x-ray tests?

X-ray tests that use a contrast agent may pose a risk to your kidneys. If you need to have x ray investigations , your doctor may recommend taking in extra water before and after the x rays to protect your kidneys. Or, alternately, your doctor may order a test that does not use a contrast agent.

How can diabetes hurt my kidneys?

Kidney damage doesn't show symptoms early on. An early diagnosis of kidney damage is when your kidneys leak small amounts of a protein called albumin into the urine; and this is why the annual urine test is recommended. As the kidneys become more damaged, they leak more and more protein. This problem is called proteinuria. With this disease, more and more wastes build up in the blood. As the damage progresses, the kidneys fail.

Diabetic nephropathy is the medical term for kidney disease caused by diabetes; and nephropathy affects both kidneys at the same time.

What can I do if I have kidney problems caused by diabetes?

Once you have kidney damage, you cannot undo it; but you can slow it down or stop it from getting worse. This is achieved by controlling your blood pressure, taking your ACE inhibitors or ARBs, and having your kidney health monitored regularly. However, if you are pregnant, you should not take ACE inhibitors or ARBs.

What happens if I get diabetes kidney failure?

One way to treat diabetes renal failure is with dialysis. Dialysis is a treatment that cleanses your blood the way your kidneys used to do. There's two types of dialysis are available.

You and your doctor will decide what type will work best for you.

1. Haemodialysis.

In haemodialysis, your blood is taken through a tube from your arm to a dialysis machine that filters out the nitrogenous waste products and extra fluid. The clean blood flows back to your arm.

2. Peritoneal dialysis.

In peritoneal dialysis, your abdomen is filled with a special fluid. The fluid absorbs waste products and the extra water from your blood. The dialysis fluid is then drained from your belly and discarded.

Another way to treat diabetes kidney failure is to have a kidney transplant. The kidney can be from a close family member, perhaps from a friend, or even someone you do not know. It's all amatter of finding a good tissue match that your body will accept. Many people are waiting for a kidney transplant, so you may be treated by dialysis for quite some time.

Summary

A program of diabetes care goes well beyond checking blood glucose levels. Kidney disease is a condition that may occur with diabetes; and kidneys
problems don't necessarily show symptoms when kidney failure is beginning. It's important to have blood and urine tests done annually to pick up first signs of kidney disease. There are a couple of medications (ACE & ARB) that will slow down kidney damage and help you to manage a good health plan. There are treatments for more serious kidney failure. Keeping blood glucose levels regular is one of the best ways to protect your kidneys from secondary damage due to diabetes.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Mellitus diabetes presents many secondary health problems, which need to be carefully managed to stay healthy when diabetes has developed. High blood glucose can cause kidneys problems. For more information on manageing diabetes refer to this review of guides: reviewratings.net/diabetes-2-treatment/

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