Diabetes Impacts Kidneys
The most common prescription for diabetes is Insulin and Insulin often causes damage to the small blood vessels of the body. This damage also impact the retina of the eye and result in loss of vision and slowing this damage is extended to the delicate blood vessels in the filters of the kidneys. Diabetes may also damage the nerves in the body including the bladder; it may be difficult to pass urine with infected bladder. The pressure from urine building up in the bladder can cause kidney damage.
Chances of a diabetic person developing a kidney disease are very high (more than 60%). If left untreated, this could lead to more kidney damage or kidney failure.
One can have serious kidney damage without being aware of it. There are usually no specific symptoms of kidney disease until the damage is severe. However, if you have diabetes, you should be tested once a year to see if diabetes has affected your kidneys. Your doctor can arrange a urine test for protein (a random urine test for “albumin to creatinine ratio”), and a blood test to check how well your kidneys are functioning (the “serum creatinine”).
Symptoms:
Early symptoms of kidney disease show high level of protein in the urine. Eventually excess loss of protein from the blood causes the water from the blood to move into the body tissues causing swelling (edema). Itchiness, breathlessness and tiredness may also occur before the kidney failure occurs.
Cause of kidney disease:
Kidney infection is another major cause of kidney failure. Diabetic patients show high level of sugar in their urine causing the growth of bacteria. People with diabetes must take special care to avoid infections and have them treated immediately.
Kidney failure:
When the kidneys are about to fail you might experience tiredness, nausea and vomiting. You could also retain salt and water, which could cause swelling of your feet and hands, and shortness of breath. You may also find that you need less insulin than usual. When the kidneys fail, wastes and fluids will accumulate in your body and you will need dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant. You may be referred to a nephrologist (a kidney specialist) if your doctor thinks the damage to your kidneys is severe.
What can you do to prevent kidney damage?
There are special treatments (including proper food choices and medications) which may help to delay kidney failure. It is necessary to start these treatments as soon as your doctor notices any of the early signs or risk factors.
There are many things you can do to help prevent kidney damage:
? Have your urine, blood and blood pressure checked regularly by your doctor
? Maintain good control of your blood sugar
? Control high blood pressure (less than 130/80* on most readings)
? Stop smoking
? Exercise regularly
? Make the proper food choices
? Avoid excess alcohol
? See your doctor if you think you have a bladder infection
? Get enough sleep
If you are suffering from kidney failure and would like more information on alternative medicine, please visit www.kundankidneycare.com
Oankar Kundan
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/diabetes-impacts-kidneys-707732.html
admin on April 3rd 2010 in Diabetes and Food Choices
aronbesmart responded on 03 Apr 2010 at 5:36 pm #
Is a high-protein diet dangerous for diabetics?
On the one hand, one would think that a high-protein, low-carb diet would actually be the best diet for diabetics because meat, fish, and dairy products do not require (much) insulin and minimally impact resting blood sugar levels. On the other hand, one of the most common long-term complications from diabetes is kidney failure, and over time a protein-rich diet would place heavy demands on kidney functioning because of waste filtration of animal products. Any thoughts?
Daniel C responded on 03 Apr 2010 at 10:38 pm #
A long-term effect of diabetes is kidney damage IF the diabetes is not managed. The kidneys are more than capable of handling a diet as you describe if given the chance.
I recommend some reading: Neander-Thin by Ray Audette – this is exactly the diet he recommends. I know Ray personally and can tell you he is disgustingly healthy; his impetus for writing the book was being diagnosed with diabetes and not being willing to just take it.
References :
http://www.amazon.com/Neanderthin-Caveman-Achieve-Strong-Healthy/dp/0312975910/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-1620471-0102320?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173017699&sr=1-1
cuddles responded on 03 Apr 2010 at 10:40 pm #
My mum is diabetic and we’ve had this discussion with many doctors.
Generally, low carb diet is the best option but that doesn’t mean one should go ahead and substitute protein for carbs. my mums condition is basically stable now as she has found a healthy balance…. her carb intake is significantly reduced and her protein intake mildly increased but it isn’t a protein rich diet… she has increased the amounts of fruits and vegetables in her diet and drinks lots of green tea to help cleanse her system.
this system has worked so well for her that she can afford to have the occasional sweets and alcohol. she’s not eve insulin dependent!
References :
mbestevez responded on 03 Apr 2010 at 10:42 pm #
Particularly in diabetes mellitus type 1, there is a lack of protein, because as the body can not use insulin, they use the fat and the proteins of the muscles. But it is not so when the diabetes is treated and glucose can be used.
Carbs have to be limited to 55% of caloric requirement (and correct treatment should be added too) and fat to no more than 30%. The rest that is the remaining 25% can come from proteins.
Monosaccharides are forbidden, but you can use fiber and polisaccharides to cover your carb requirement. Carbs in general are never completely forbidden because they are the source of energy.
References :
Dave responded on 03 Apr 2010 at 10:44 pm #
I can give you a personal example of a very high protien (Adkins) diet where I actually had to stop taking my insulin because I was not eating enough carbs. I thought to myself that this is very odd, because I am a T1 and I have to take insulin to carry fuel to my cells for processing.
I would suggest a low carb (and right carb) diet. Do not follow Adkins, but something like South Beach where it teaches you the correct carbs for your body.
Good luck.
References :