Diabetic Kidney Disease
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the body does not control the amount of insulin in the bloodstream correctly. Insulin is a hormone that manages to blood sugar levels, and if it is not working effectively the glucose or sugar levels in the patient’s blood become too high or too low. Both of these are damaging to a range of bodily functions and organs, including the kidneys. Diabetic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys are damaged by the incorrect blood levels and become leaky and unable to function correctly.
Functions of the kidneys
- Filtering of waste products from the blood, which are then excreted from the body in urine.
- Balance the levels of some salts and chemicals in the bloodstream; this is vital for other parts of the body to work effectively
- Produce the hormone erythropoietin which helps to produce red blood cells in bone marrow
- Managing of blood pressure by controlling the amount of water passed out in the urine and producing some of the hormones involved in the control of blood pressure
The kidneys play an important role in the running of the body in general, and so damage to them can have effects in all kinds of functions and organs.
Signs and Symptoms
As the kidneys become less efficient they leak proteins into the urine which should be retained. The main protein that leaks is called albumin, and testing the urine for this protein is the method generally used to diagnose diabetic kidney failure. This disease is split into two types, depending on the amount of albumin that is leaking out; lower levels are known as microalbuminuria and this condition can be managed and sometimes halted or cured. Proteinuria or macroalbuminuria is the name for higher levels of leaking, and cannot be cured or reversed; patients suffering from this will generally decline towards kidney failure at some point.
You are unlikely to have any symptoms in the early stages of this disease, but those that may develop include –
- Poor appetite
- Weight loss
- Fuzzy thinking
- Fluid retention in feet causing swelling
- Feeling nauseous
- Needing to urinate more frequently than usual
- Symptoms of anemia
- Muscle cramps
Other problems may also develop related to the failing or reduced functionality of the kidneys; anemia and problems with the chemical balance in the blood stream can cause tiredness and weakened bones amongst other complications
Treatment for diabetic kidney disease
The main way to prevent this disease is to manage the glucose levels in your blood effectively so that the kidneys are not damaged. This can also be used as a treatment as it will delay the progression of the disease. ACE inhibitors may be prescribed to reduce blood pressure, and drugs to lower cholesterol are used to reduce the risk of heart disease which is another possible complication of kidney disease. Patients will also be advised to make lifestyle changes where applicable, such as giving up smoking and managing their weight with a healthy diet and exercise.