What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It is the most common cause of kidney failure in the world. When left untreated, diabetes can cause a range of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, nerve damage, and kidney disease. Diabetes is caused by either a lack of the hormone insulin or an inability to use insulin properly. Insulin helps the body use glucose, or sugar, for energy. Without it, the body cannot use glucose, and it begins to build up in the bloodstream. Over time, high levels of glucose in the blood can damage the kidneys, leading to kidney failure.
How Does Diabetes Cause Kidney Failure?
High levels of glucose in the blood can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys. This damage can cause them to narrow, which reduces their ability to filter waste from the blood. As the damage worsens, the kidneys can become unable to filter waste from the blood, leading to kidney failure. High levels of glucose in the blood can also affect how well the kidneys can produce urine. When urine production decreases, waste products build up in the blood and can cause further damage to the kidneys.
Risk Factors for Diabetes-Related Kidney Failure
Certain factors can increase the risk of developing diabetes-related kidney failure. These include a family history of diabetes, being overweight or obese, being over the age of 45, having high blood pressure, and having a sedentary lifestyle. People with diabetes who have one or more of these risk factors should be monitored closely by their doctor.
Preventing Diabetes-Related Kidney Failure
The best way to prevent kidney failure caused by diabetes is to control your blood sugar levels. This can be done by: eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, taking diabetes medications as prescribed, and monitoring your blood sugar levels. In addition, regular check-ups with your doctor and getting tested for kidney disease can help catch any problems early and prevent further damage.
Treatment for Diabetes-Related Kidney Failure
If kidney failure occurs due to diabetes, treatment will focus on controlling blood sugar levels and managing any other medical conditions. In some cases, dialysis or a kidney transplant may be needed. Dialysis is a process that uses a machine to filter waste from the blood, and a kidney transplant is a surgical procedure in which a healthy kidney from a donor is placed into the body.
Living with Diabetes and Kidney Failure
Living with diabetes and kidney failure can be difficult, but there are things you can do to help manage your condition. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and taking your medications as prescribed are all important steps. It is also important to monitor your blood sugar levels and keep up with any appointments with your doctor. In addition, regular check-ups with your doctor and getting tested for kidney disease can help catch any problems early and prevent further damage.
Conclusion
Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure in the world. High levels of glucose in the blood can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to kidney failure. Risk factors for diabetes-related kidney failure include a family history of diabetes, being overweight or obese, being over the age of 45, having high blood pressure, and having a sedentary lifestyle. The best way to prevent kidney failure caused by diabetes is to control your blood sugar levels. If kidney failure occurs due to diabetes, treatment will focus on controlling blood sugar levels and managing any other medical conditions. Living with diabetes and kidney failure can be difficult, but there are things you can do to help manage your condition.