Diabetes Health Talk

Greetings All!

Today I want to talk to you about summer complications to diabetes. I was reading today about something that concerned me. In all the years I have had diabetes no one told me about kidney stones and it’s rise in cases during summer months!

This gave me concern for those of use with diabetes and are more susceptible to Kidney issues. I thought what is the risk to us and what can we do to lower our chances of catching it?

Well after researching further I have came to a few conclusions. I hope you will take the time to read them, and talk with your health care physician about this serious condition.

As we all know kidney stones seriously bother people in general who get them, they can be very painful as well as make the healthiest person become bed ridden. However what will they do the average diabetic and what are the lasting affects of them on us?

Concerns of Kidney Stones:

Kidney stones can cause great problems for diabetics. Many People believe that obesity and diabetes cause Kidney Stones. I believe that kidney stones are a product of diabetes. As diabetics are bodies often become damaged, due to high sugar levels our kidney’s can suffer greatly.

Kidney stones form because not all of the material that travel through your kidneys are broken down properly. This leaves a buildup of materials in your kidneys. Most stones can pass on their own without the help of your doctor. They can also cause no symptoms and pass without you even realizing it. Sometimes you develop what is called a “Problem Stone” which cause great pain.

Forms of Stones:

There are 4 most common forms of stones:

1. Calcium Stones: These are the most common
2. Uric Acid Stones
3. Phosphates Stones
4. Crystine Stones

Avoiding Stones:
When trying to avoid stones the best things to do are:
1. Drink Lots of Water!
2. Drinking ginger ale, and lemon-lime soda can help prevent stones
3. Avoid intaking a lot of salt

To find out more ways to avoid getting kidney stones consult your physician, and let them know if you have kidney stones in your family.

Damage to your kidneys from stones can consist of infections, re-occurance, and in most severe cases you can get renal failure.

When to call the Doctor:

Call the doctor when:

1. When you find blood in your urine.
2. have the fever or chills.
3.urine looks foggy or cloudy
4. Sever pain in your back, side or abdomen

For more information on forms of Kidney Stones check back this week, or to find more information on kidney conditions please click the links below.


American Urological Association Foundation:

This organization provides information on renal disease as well a bladder conditions. For assistance or research information please got to:

www.auafoundation.org

American Diabetes Association:

This organization provides information on renal disease as well as Diabetes.

www.diabetes.org

Hope you enjoyed todays chat, please visit tomorrow when we talk about Calcium Stones.

Until next time!
Smiles,
Lisa