Linking Diabetes and Kidney Disease
Men and women who have diabetes are at an increased risk of developing kidney problems, health experts say. The most common cause of kidney failure is diabetes, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC), with about 44 percent of the new cases are related to high blood sugar levels. It is often a slow process but the longer the blood sugar levels are not managed properly, the more likely these individuals will experience kidney damage. Dialysis may help but a GranuFlo lawsuit filed due to wrongful death was released in the news, making some patients fear undergoing the procedure.
How does diabetes damage the kidneys?
- The increase in blood sugar level may damage the glomerulus of the kidneys because it will continuously try to excrete the extra glucose from the body until it will eventually stop. Only waste products are being excreted but high blood sugar problem will change the system and also discard the useful protein and albumin from the body. The glomerulus is the filtering unit of the kidneys and damage to it will allow some protein to pass through.
How is it detected?
- The kidney will compensate and try to cope with the problem until it stops working completely and may not show any symptoms in the earlier phase. However, one may detect the protein and albumin in the urine which will indicate that the kidneys’ functions are compromised. The symptoms that may show are also varied and may not readily point to the problem with the kidneys. Health care providers suggest that patients who have diabetes undergo routine check of their kidneys to detect problems earlier.
How is it prevented?
- Not all diabetic patients will develop this problem but it is prudent to keep the blood sugar in appropriate levels to avoid this problem. Strict compliance to diet and medications is important. Those who have high blood pressure are also at higher risk, hence, it will help to lower down the blood pressure level also. Slowing down the process is the best options for patients who already have signs of kidney damage.
Options for Treatment
- Routine dialysis treatment or a going through a kidney transplant are two options for those with kidney failure. Patients may need to undergo dialysis treatment for the rest of the lives. However, a GranuFlo recall lawsuit was filed by several men and women after experiencing problems with their dialysis treatment.
URL References:
kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kdd/index.aspx
patient.co.uk/health/diabetic-kidney-disease-leaflet
diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/kidney-disease-nephropathy.html
How does diabetes damage the kidneys?
- The increase in blood sugar level may damage the glomerulus of the kidneys because it will continuously try to excrete the extra glucose from the body until it will eventually stop. Only waste products are being excreted but high blood sugar problem will change the system and also discard the useful protein and albumin from the body. The glomerulus is the filtering unit of the kidneys and damage to it will allow some protein to pass through.
How is it detected?
- The kidney will compensate and try to cope with the problem until it stops working completely and may not show any symptoms in the earlier phase. However, one may detect the protein and albumin in the urine which will indicate that the kidneys’ functions are compromised. The symptoms that may show are also varied and may not readily point to the problem with the kidneys. Health care providers suggest that patients who have diabetes undergo routine check of their kidneys to detect problems earlier.
How is it prevented?
- Not all diabetic patients will develop this problem but it is prudent to keep the blood sugar in appropriate levels to avoid this problem. Strict compliance to diet and medications is important. Those who have high blood pressure are also at higher risk, hence, it will help to lower down the blood pressure level also. Slowing down the process is the best options for patients who already have signs of kidney damage.
Options for Treatment
- Routine dialysis treatment or a going through a kidney transplant are two options for those with kidney failure. Patients may need to undergo dialysis treatment for the rest of the lives. However, a GranuFlo recall lawsuit was filed by several men and women after experiencing problems with their dialysis treatment.
URL References:
kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kdd/index.aspx
patient.co.uk/health/diabetic-kidney-disease-leaflet
diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/kidney-disease-nephropathy.html