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Kidney Problems
Diabetes can cause diabetic kidney disease (also called diabetic nephropathy), which can lead to kidney failure. There痴 a lot you can do to take charge and prevent kidney problems. A recent study shows that controlling your blood glucose can prevent or delay the onset of kidney disease. Keeping your blood pressure under control is also important. The kidneys keep the right amount of water in the body and help filter out harmful wastes. These wastes, called urea, then pass from the body in the urine. Diabetes can cause kidney disease by damaging the parts of the kidneys that filter out wastes. When the kidneys fail, a person has to have his or her blood filtered through a machine (a treatment called dialysis) several times a week or has to get a kidney transplant.
Testing Your KidneysWork with your health care provider to prevent or treat kidney problems. Your health care provider can learn how well your kidneys are working by testing for microalbumin (a protein) in the urine. Microalbumin in the urine is an early sign of diabetic kidney disease. You should have your urine checked for microalbumin every year. Your health care provider can also do a yearly blood test to measure your kidney function. If the tests show microalbumin in the urine or if your kidney function isn稚 normal, you値l need to be checked more often. Remember to write down the dates and the results of these tests. Ask your health care provider to explain what the results mean.
Protecting Your KidneysMost chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not curable. The good news is that if your doctor finds out that you have a kidney problem, there may be a number of ways to help slow down the disease, help you feel better, and help you make better medical decisions. What can you do? See the list below. Know Your Lab Tests 末 know the names of the lab tests your doctor orders and what the results mean. Kidney disease is often diagnosed, and always monitored, by measuring levels of substances in the blood or urine. Knowing末and tracking末your lab tests is an important way for you to be involved in your care. Normal lab test ranges vary slightly from one laboratory to another. When you get your results, be sure to ask what the laboratory's normal range is.
If you have diabetes, stay at a healthy weight, exercise, and take medications as prescribed to keep your blood glucose in the "normal" range. Tight control of blood sugar can help slow the progression of kidney disease. Your HbA1c levels, which measure your blood sugar control over a period of 3 months, should be less than 6.5%High blood glucose can damage your kidneys as time goes by. Work with your health care team to keep your glucose levels as close to normal as you can.
Keep your blood pressure below 130/85 (adults) with weight loss and exercise, a low sodium/low fat diet, reducing stress, and taking your blood pressure medication correctly. For some patients, the target blood pressure is lower (125/75). Controlling high blood pressure may delay the progression of kidney disease by slowing damage to the kidneys. High blood pressure (or hypertension) can damage your kidneys. You may want to check your blood pressure at home to be sure it stays lower than 130/80. Have your health care provider check your blood pressure at least 4 times a year. Your doctor may have you take a blood pressure pill, called an ACE inhibitor, to help protect your kidneys. Controlling your blood glucose levels and your blood pressure may help to prevent or delay kidney failure.
ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors are a class of blood pressure medicines that can protect kidney function in some cases (generic names include ramipril, captopril, and enalapril). In some people, ACE inhibitors cause a persistent cough, which stops when the drug is discontinued. This is not a serious side effect of the drug. ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) may sometimes be used along with or instead of ACE inhibitors. Calcium channel blockers and beta blockers are other drugs that may help to control blood pressure and protect kidney function.
Anemia末a shortage of red blood cells末starts very early in kidney failure. Anemia can cause you to feel tired and worn out, and can damage your heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in people with kidney problems. Ask your doctor about medications such as epoetin (EPO) and iron to treat anemia.
Some doctors believe a diet lower in some proteins can help slow kidney disease. A diet high in proteins can cause more damage to your kidneys over time. Ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian who specializes in treating those with chronic kidney disease. A dietitian can help you learn how to keep your kidneys healthy longer by eating the right foods. It is important not to adjust your protein intake until you have discussed this with your doctor or dietitian.
In people with kidney disease, smoking is linked to an increase in the amount of protein spilled in the urine. In smokers with diabetes, kidney disease may progress twice as fast. Scientists are not sure why this is the case, but if you have kidney disease and you smoke, quitting may help slow down the damage.
Ask your doctor or healthcare specialist about certain pain medications. Some over-the-counter pain pills containing ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen (e.g., Motrinｮ and Advilｮ and Aleveｮ) can affect kidney function. This is especially true if you have kidney, heart, or liver disease or take diuretics (water pills). Avoid using combinations of these pain medications and caffeine because these combinations can further damage your kidneys.
With your doctor's OK, start a regular exercise program to control weight and keep your heart healthy and blood vessels working as well as possible. It is very important to keep your muscles and joints in good working order.
Preventing and Treating InfectionsBladder and kidney infections can damage your kidneys. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of these signs of bladder infection:
Call your health care provider right away if you have any of these signs of kidney infections:
Tell your health care provider if you have any signs of kidney or bladder infection. Your health care provider will test your urine. If you have a bladder or kidney infection, you値l be given medicine to stop the infection. After you take all the medicine, have your urine checked again to be sure the infection is gone. Know the Effects of Some Medicines and X-Ray Dyes If you have kidney disease, ask your health care provider about the possible effects that some medicines and X-ray dyes can have on your kidneys.
Signs Of Pregnancy
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Keep Your Blood Glucose Under Control
