Diabetes and Kidney Problems

Diabetes and Kidney

Diabetes is one of the most common disease which damages kidney. Every year large number of diabetic patients undergo dialysis and renal transplant. In Type I diabetes 30% patients suffer from Kidney damage if diabetes was detected before the age of 15 years. In Niddim or Adult type of Diabetes incidence is lower it is about 15 to 20%.

Reasons for involvement of kidney is sustained uncontrolled Blood Sugar. This high Blood Sugar causes changes is Kidney membrane which may lead to excretion of Proteins in urine. Initially very small amount of Albumins (Proteins) is excreted in urine which is called as Micro-Albuminuria and which can be detected by special tests. Routine urine test cannot detect such small quantities. Appearance of Albumin in urine indicates early involvement of kidney and usually this stage lasts for many years. It is very important for every Diabetic patient to know about it, because if at this stage Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure are kept under control this process/stage can be reversed. Nature has been so kind with human beings that in this period which should be around 3-5 years if one keeps Blood Sugar under control damage to kidney can be saved.

If Blood Sugar remains high then more and more protein will pass out from urine and symptoms of kidney failure start appearing.

Symptoms

Swelling over eyelids, swelling over feet and legs, nausea, vomiting, Ghabrahat, loss of appetite, headache and weakness due to high Blood Pressure, breathlessness, palpitation, and decrease in urine output.

How to Prevent

1. Keep Blood Sugar under control.
2. If Blood Sugar is higher, the damage to kidney will be more so blood pressure should be controlled. Get regular check up and consult your doctor.
3. Proteins restriction is important. If urine start showing albumin reduce protein in take to 20 to 40 gm/day.
4. Don't take medicines without doctor's advice as an medicines have adverse effect on kidneys.
5. Get regular blood test for sugar, urea and-creatinine  because the results will indicate kidney status.
6. Stop smoking.

Once Renal function shows deterioration then your doctor will advice you for dialysis (Artificial Kidney). Peritoneal or Haemodialysis can help the patient to get rid of toxic products (urea, creatinine) after dialysis. Patient's condition improves. But this cannot be done on permanent basis if repeated dialysis is required then your doctor will advice you to go for Renal transplant.

Renal Transplant

This is successful procedure and routinely performed in our country. It can give a new lease of life to a kidney failure patient and once again patient can lead normal life.