How Diabetes Affects The Kidneys
Things you can do to prevent or slow the progression of Diabetic kidney disease
As with other complications of diabetes, the risk of diabetic nephropathy can be substantially reduced by maintaining tight control over blood glucose levels and following a proper diet. But there are other steps you can take to keep your kidneys in good working order and either prevent or slow the progression of kidney disease and allowing it to progress into kidney failure.
Get tested for diabetic nephropathy - The first action you should take is to see a physician and have your kidneys checked for diabetic nephropathy at least once a year, because the only way you will know if you are developing kidney disease is if a doctor checks for kidney problems. The three main tests used to test your kidneys are the Microalbumin test, the Creatinine test and the Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) test. All three of these tests are very quick, simple and early detection can help prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure.
• Microalbumin Urine Test - Albumin is a protein that is found in the bloodstream and is not passed into the urine during normal filtration functions of the kidneys. The presence of small amounts of albumin in the urine is usually the first sign and indication of kidney damage/kidney disease and is known as a condition called microalbuminuria. Larger persistent amounts of albumin indicate that more damage has occurred to the kidneys, a condition known as macroalbuminuria or proteinuria.
• Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) Test - This test measures the amount of nitrogen (in the form of urea) found in the bloodstream. Urea nitrogen is a waste product formed in the liver from protein metabolism, that is then filtered by the kidneys and expelled in the urine. Your blood normally has approximately 7-20 mg/100 ml of urea. An increase in the BUN level is known as azotemia and is an indicator of decreased kidney function, a BUN level over 100mg/dl is considered a panic value. Other factors such as gender, age, pregnancy and diet will have an affect on urea values.
• The Creatinine Test - Creatine is a compound produced in the body that combines with phosphorus to create another compound called creatine phosphate which is then used by the body in skeletal muscular contractions. The waste product created from the metabolism of creatine phosphate is serum creatinine which is excreted entirely by the kidneys. Since the levels of creatinine remain fairly constant in relation to a persons muscle mass, any increases in creatinine levels in the blood are an indication of a decrease in kidney filtration rate, which is a clear sign of kidney disease/damage. The creatinine test and the BUN test are often used in conjunction with each other to gain an accurate interpretation of kidney disease progress.
• Control your blood pressure - High blood pressure (hypertension) and kidney disease are two sides of the same coin because high blood pressure causes kidney disease and kidney disease causes high blood pressure! Blood pressure should be kept below 130/80 to help prevent kidney damage. As a diabetic, if you have high blood pressure you are also at risk of damage to your eyes, heart, and blood vessels (heart disease is the number one cause of death for people suffering from chronic kidney disease). Have your blood pressure checked regularly and speak with your physician about treatment options for persistently high blood pressure.
• Avoid the over use of painkillers - Studies reveal that the heavy use of over the counter pain medications such as acetaminophen are a contributing factor in kidney disease. To learn more click here. Aspirin does not appear to harm the kidneys and occasional use of acetaminophen is safe, however if you are someone that deals with chronic pain from ailments such as arthritis, check with your doctor to see if there are any alternatives.
• Develop and maintain a proper diet - So many health complications can be avoided by simply giving your body all of the necessary fuel and building blocks it needs to maintain itself. This and NOT putting things into your body that it doesn't need such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption or drugs. Watching what you eat can not only improve overall health and make you feel better, it can also significantly lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels two major contributors to kidney and heart disease. It is highly recommended that as a diabetic you find and work with a dietitian.
• Develop and maintain an exercise program - Try to be active a total of 30 minutes a day and planning activities that require movement and a degree of exertion, such as walking, tennis, swimming/water aerobics, and similar activities or weight training at whatever level you are able. Work with your physician to find what activities are best for you.
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