Diabetic Nephropathy ‘Kidney’ disease
Kidney damage occurring in people suffering with diabetes is known as Diabetic Nephropathy.
Diabetic Nephropathy is a type of progressive kidney disease and is one of the complications of diabetes.
Diabetes damages the blood vessels in the kidney to such an extent that the kidneys fail to effectively filter and remove the toxins from the body thus, leading to further damage and overall deterioration of health.
Diabetic Nephropathy is also known as Diabetic Kidney Disease
Causes
1 :: Uncontrolled high levels of blood glucose
2 :: High Blood pressure
3 :: Over use of Medical drugs
4 :: Environmental toxins, in extreme case
5 :: Cigarette Smoking
6 :: Immune system diseases, such as lupus, and long-term viral illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and hepatitis C
7 :: Family history of kidney problems
Symptoms
Initial stage of diabetic nephropathy often presents with no symptoms. Symptoms appear as the kidney function worsens. Some of the symptoms, which are produced after the kidney disease has progressed, are
1 :: Itching of the skin
2 :: Swelling of face, hands and feet
3 :: High blood pressure
4 :: Protein in the urine
5 :: Increased levels of serum Creatinine & Blood Urea
6 :: Loss of appetite
7 :: Increased frequency of urination
8 :: Drowsiness
9 :: Nausea & vomiting
10 :: Twitching of muscles
11 :: Headache
12 ::Weakness
Diagnoses
If you are a diabetic, your physician shall conduct few blood and urine tests regularly, to evaluate early signs of kidney damage.
1 :: Serum Urea Blood Test (determines the presence of urea nitrogen in blood)
2 :: Serum Creatinine Blood Test (evaluates creatinine levels in blood)
3 :: Microalbuminuria Urine Test (assesses albumin in urine). Excess of albumin in urine is an indication of kidney damage
4 :: Kidney Biopsy (confirms the diagnosis of kidney damage)
5 :: Renal ultrasound (assesses the size of kidney)
6 :: Blood cholesterol (determines the level of lipids in blood)
Treatments
There is exactly no treatment available for Diabetic nephropathy. Treatment can only help in delaying or arresting the progress of kidney damage, which can be achieved by
1 :: Controlling blood sugar levels by regular monitoring, taking medications, meal planning, performing regular exercises, daily walks and Yoga asana and pranayama
2 :: Controlling high blood pressure by reducing intake of salt and taking proper medications
3 :: Taking ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor medications, to reduce the proteinuria levels and to slow down the advancement of the disease
4 :: Adapting healthy lifestyle changes by consuming a healthy diet, quitting smoking, losing weight, avoiding alcohol, etc.
5 :: Consuming a low-protein diet, which can decrease the protein loss in the urine and increase protein levels in the blood
6 :: In end stage renal disease when the kidneys fail, dialysis is required. Dialysis is a procedure where the toxins are filtered out of the body. Eventually kidney transplant can also be recommended.
Prevention
Prevention of Diabetic Nephropathy can be achieved by Keeping blood sugar levels and blood pressure in control by regular monitoring, taking medications, meal planning and performing regular exercises
1 :: Checking urine for proteins annually
2 :: Avoiding medications that have detrimental side effects upon the kidneys
3 :: Avoiding or cessation of smoking