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The Relationship Between Kidney Disease and Diabetes

Types of Diabetes

There are basically three types of diabetes; Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes, which is a temporary form of diabetes occurring during pregnancy.

Type 1 diabetes is also known as juvenile onset diabetes because it generally occurs during childhood though it can occur in adulthood as well. Type 1 diabetes in adulthood can also be called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The underlying problem in type 1 diabetes is that the pancreas is unable to make enough of a hormone called insulin and the type 1 diabetes sufferers will have to take insulin shots the rest of their lives.

Type 2 diabetes is actually the most common form of diabetes and it usually occurs with people who are obese and over 40 years old. Type 2 diabetes is also known by the term adult onset diabetes mellitus, or simply diabetes mellitus. Unlike type 1 diabetes, in type 2 diabetes your body will produce insulin, only your body will not metabolize or use it properly. As a result there will be very high sugar levels in the blood. Depending upon the gravity of the situation, a good diabetic diet can prevent full-blown diabetes when spotted in pre diabetes. A good diet, exercise, and diabetic medication such as metformin can treat and control the blood glucose in full-blown diabetes mellitus.

Gestational Diabetes only happens in pregnant women when their hormone are fluctuating and their sugar levels can fluctuate as well.

How diabetes can affect the kidneys

Diabetes will damage the small blood vessels anywhere in the body, when small blood vessels are damaged in the kidneys the kidneys can no longer do their job properly. Your kidneys are needed to filter and clean you blood. When the kidneys are damaged many things can occur, first of all your body will retain more salt and water than is healthy. You will notice the excess water when you see swelling in your ankles and feet. Your doctor may notice protein in your urine, and different waste materials will gather in your blood stream.

Since diabetes causes damage to the nerves in your body, you may find that you have difficulty emptying your bladder. If your urine remains in your body for too long it will cause infection. The pressure that is building up in your bladder can in turn injure your kidneys. Furthermore, the urine in your bladder can cause an infection and lots of bacteria. This bacteria is loaded with sugar because of your diabetes.

Prevalence of diabetics who are at risk for developing some sort of kidney disease

There are roughly 30 percent of people with Type 1 diabetes who are at risk of contracting some kind of kidney disease. There is also anywhere from 10 to 40 percent of patients with Type 2 diabetes who will eventually end up with kidney failure.

Signs of kidney disease in diabetic patients

The first symptom is traces of albumin in the urine. Often the albumin is in the system long before ever visiting your doctor. You may experience weight gain and swelling in the ankles. You might notice you are urinating more at night and your blood pressure is high. Make sure you are tested and followed on a regular basis by your doctor.

If not treated, later on your blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and your creatinine levels in the blood will also increase. You can also have bouts of nausea, or vomiting, weakness, fatigue, feel itchy, have muscle cramps, or experience anemia and you may need insulin because your body is not producing enough on its own.

If left untreated, kidney problems can lead to renal failure, and patients may need a kidney transplant

Keep Yourself Healthy

Choose a diabetic diet enriched with good carbohydrates, and go lightly on meats especially red meats. Eat fruits and vegetables, and exercise. You need to get regular routine testing from you doctor. Alert your doctor about any new symptoms you may have regardless of whether or not you may think they are significant s your doctor will make that decision.

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