By Beverleigh H Piepers
Photo: medindia.net
Kidney disease is often a complication of Type 2 diabetes. Many people including non-diabetics, have the beginnings of kidney disease and don't even realize it. Kidney disease in diabetics is often referred to as diabetic nephropathy and is a prime cause for dialysis in the United States.
The best way to help prevent kidney disease from starting is to keep your blood sugar and blood pressure in the "good" range established by your doctor. However, these are not the only factors that may increase your risk for developing kidney problems. For example, your ethnicity and the presence of certain other health conditions can greatly contribute to this phenomenon.
Biological Controls: Statistics indicate people from certain groups with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop kidney disease. If you are of African American, Asian or Native American, Hispanic or Pacific Islander ethnicity, you are at an increased risk of developing this complication. Also, all diabetics regardless of gender or ethnicity have an increased risk with advancing age. This is why it is critical to keep close tabs on your blood sugar levels as they can have a detrimental effect on your kidneys if left uncontrolled.
Lifestyle Modification: As with many conditions affecting the body, Type 2 diabetes can decrease the risk of kidney disease by making positive lifestyle modifications. Current recommendations you may want to consider typically involve measures that will ultimately better control your blood sugar. This includes but is not limited to:
Missing the early signs of kidney disease is easy unless you know what to look for. If your kidneys are not functioning properly, you will notice a few symptoms. Some of these include:
The Importance of Regular Checkups: Some of the earliest signs of kidney involvement in the Type 2 diabetic can be determined by using laboratory tests. It is important you see your doctor annually or more frequently, (as recommended by your doctor), to monitor for signs and symptoms and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.
Testing usually consists of simple urine tests that can be performed in the doctor's office.
Many people with diabetes don't give their kidneys a second thought because there is no strong pain associated with their declining renal function.
Making the effort to improve your diet and fitness levels can and will pay great dividends when it comes to protecting your kidneys and other organs. Allowing high blood sugar to run rampant in your system for years and years can only do great harm to all of your body's systems. This leads to dire complications that are hard to undo.
Photo: medindia.net
Kidney disease is often a complication of Type 2 diabetes. Many people including non-diabetics, have the beginnings of kidney disease and don't even realize it. Kidney disease in diabetics is often referred to as diabetic nephropathy and is a prime cause for dialysis in the United States.
The best way to help prevent kidney disease from starting is to keep your blood sugar and blood pressure in the "good" range established by your doctor. However, these are not the only factors that may increase your risk for developing kidney problems. For example, your ethnicity and the presence of certain other health conditions can greatly contribute to this phenomenon.
Biological Controls: Statistics indicate people from certain groups with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop kidney disease. If you are of African American, Asian or Native American, Hispanic or Pacific Islander ethnicity, you are at an increased risk of developing this complication. Also, all diabetics regardless of gender or ethnicity have an increased risk with advancing age. This is why it is critical to keep close tabs on your blood sugar levels as they can have a detrimental effect on your kidneys if left uncontrolled.
Lifestyle Modification: As with many conditions affecting the body, Type 2 diabetes can decrease the risk of kidney disease by making positive lifestyle modifications. Current recommendations you may want to consider typically involve measures that will ultimately better control your blood sugar. This includes but is not limited to:
- making positive dietary changes,
- incorporating regular exercise,
- weight management, and
- controlling other medical conditions such as high blood pressure.
Missing the early signs of kidney disease is easy unless you know what to look for. If your kidneys are not functioning properly, you will notice a few symptoms. Some of these include:
- you may need to urinate less frequently, or you might feel the need to only void a few drops.
- edema or swelling in your body due to fluid retention. This could be noticed by swelling in your ankle or ankles.
- itchy skin due to the build up of waste products in your bloodstream. When functioning properly, your kidneys remove waste products.
- extreme fatigue... when your kidneys get worn out so do you.
- bad breath due to the kidneys not filtering properly; urea builds up in the bloodstream.
- stomach upset and flu symptoms.
The Importance of Regular Checkups: Some of the earliest signs of kidney involvement in the Type 2 diabetic can be determined by using laboratory tests. It is important you see your doctor annually or more frequently, (as recommended by your doctor), to monitor for signs and symptoms and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.
Testing usually consists of simple urine tests that can be performed in the doctor's office.
Many people with diabetes don't give their kidneys a second thought because there is no strong pain associated with their declining renal function.
Making the effort to improve your diet and fitness levels can and will pay great dividends when it comes to protecting your kidneys and other organs. Allowing high blood sugar to run rampant in your system for years and years can only do great harm to all of your body's systems. This leads to dire complications that are hard to undo.
To discover answers to questions you may be asking yourself about Type 2 Diabetes, click on this link... Natural Diabetes Treatments
Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes Solutions... Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.
Beverleigh Piepers is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article are complete and active. Copyright (c) 2011 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beverleigh_H_Piepers Clicking on this link will help you to learn more about Type 2 Diabetes Solutions... Beverleigh Piepers RN... the Diabetes Detective.
Beverleigh Piepers is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in the article are complete and active. Copyright (c) 2011 - All Rights Reserved Worldwide
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