Preventing Diabetes Kidney Problems
Kidneys
Diabetes is one of the number one cause of renal failure in the United States. When I was on Dialysis, many of my fellow patients were there for diabetes induced renal failure. (Mine was caused by a rare kidney disorder, Alports Syndrome. Diabetes was caused after the transplant). By taking care of yourself, you can avoid kidney failure.
Keep your blood glucose as close to normal as you can. Ask your doctor what blood glucose numbers are healthy for you.
Keep your blood pressure below 130/80 to help prevent kidney damage. Blood pressure is written with two numbers separated by a slash. For example, 120/70 is said as “120 over 70.”
Ask your doctor what numbers are best for you. If you take blood pressure pills every day, take them as your doctor tells you. Keeping your blood pressure under control will also slow down or prevent damage to your eyes, heart, and blood vessels.
Keep your blood pressure below 130/80.
Ask your doctor if you should take pills to slow down kidney damage. Two kinds are available:
ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor
ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker)
Follow the healthy eating plan you work out with your doctor or dietitian. If you already have kidney problems, your dietitian may suggest you cut back on protein, such as meat.
Have your kidneys checked at least once a year by having your urine tested for small amounts of protein. This test is called the microalbumin test.
Have your blood tested at least once a year for creatinine. The result of this test should be used to estimate your glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a measure of kidney function.
Pills can help you control your blood pressure and slow down kidney damage.
Have any other kidney tests your doctor thinks you need.
Avoid taking painkillers regularly. Daily use of pills like aspirin or acetaminophen can damage the kidneys. Taking a single dose of aspirin every day to protect the heart, however, should be safe. Taking acetaminophen for occasional pain should also be safe. But if you are dealing with chronic pain, such as arthritis, work with your doctor to find a way to control your pain without putting your kidneys at risk.
See a doctor right away for bladder or kidney infections. You may have an infection if you have these symptoms:
pain or burning when you urinate
a frequent urge to go to the bathroom
urine that looks cloudy or reddish
fever or a shaky feeling
pain in your back or on your side below the ribs
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