Each year in the United States, more than 100,000 people
are diagnosed with kidney failure, a serious condition in which the kidneys fail
to rid the body of wastes.1 Kidney failure is the final stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure, accounting for nearly 44
percent of new cases.1 Even when diabetes is controlled, the disease can lead to
chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. Most people with diabetes do not develop
chronic kidney disease that is
severe enough to progress to kidney failure. Nearly 24 million people in the
United States have diabetes, 2 and nearly 180,000 people are living with kidney
failure as a result of diabetes.1
People with kidney failure undergo either dialysis, an artificial
blood-cleaning process, or transplantation to receive a healthy kidney from a
donor. Most U.S. citizens who develop kidney failure are eligible for federally
funded care. In 2005, care for patients with kidney failure cost the United
States nearly $32 billion.1
Source: United States Renal Data System. USRDS 2007 Annual Data Report.
African Americans, American Indians, and Hispanics/Latinos develop diabetes,
chronic kidney disease, and kidney failure at rates higher than Caucasians. Scientists have not
been able to explain these higher rates. Nor can they explain fully the
interplay of factors leading to kidney disease of diabetes—factors including
heredity, diet, and other medical conditions, such as
high blood pressure. They
have found that high blood pressure and high levels of
blood glucose increase
the risk that a person with diabetes will progress to kidney failure.
Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss, dehydration, medication. Some of the renal causes of kidney failure are from sepsis, medications, rhabdomyolysis, multiple myeloma, and acute glomerulonephritis. Post renal causes of kidney failure include bladder obstruction, prostate problems, tumors, or kidney stones. Treatment options included diet, medications, or dialysis.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a repeatedly
elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above
140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. There are two causes of high blood pressure, primary and secondary. Primary high blood pressure is much more common that secondary and its basic causes or underlying defects are not always known. It is known that a diet high in salt increases the risk for high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol. Genetic factors are also a primary cause. Secondary high blood pressure is generally caused by another condition such as renal hypertension, tumors, and other conditions. Treatment for high blood pressure is generally lifestyle changes and if necessary, diet.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent). Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type.
The major goal in treating diabetes is controlling elevated blood sugar without causing abnormally low levels of blood sugar. Treatment for type 1 diabetes is with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet. Treatment for type 2 diabetes is first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. When these measures fail to control the elevated blood sugar, oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient, insulin medications are considered.
Diabetic Neuropathy is a complication of diabetes that causes damage to the nerves; this is related to the blood glucose of the body being too high for a long period of time. The four types of neuropathy include peripheral, autonomic, proximal and focal.
High blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Treatment for high blood pressure include lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs and medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha blockers, clonidine, minoxidil, and Exforge.
High blood pressure can damage the kidneys and is one of the leading causes of kidney failure (end-stage renal kidney disease). Kidney damage, like hypertension, can be unnoticeable and detected only through medical tests. If you have kidney disease, you should control your blood pressure. Other treatment options include prescription medications.
The risks for developing type 2 diabetes include family history, ethnicity, birth weight, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Warning signs pointing to an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes include irregular menstruation, impaired fasting glucose, inflammatory markers, and other risks. Gestational diabetes is also a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Prevention of type 2 diabetes can be achieved through a healthy diet (Mediterranean diet), exercise, weight control, not smoking, and medication.
Managing your diabetes is important. The goal of diabetic therapy is to control blood glucose levels and prevent the complications of diabetes. Information about exercise, diet diet, and medication will help you manage your diabetes better. Blood glucose reagent strips, blood glucose meters, urine glucose tests, tests for urinary ketones, continuous glucose sensors, and Hemoglobin A1C testing information is also provided in this article.
Taking care of a disease such as diabetes is a life-long process. Learn how to care for yourself or loved one with diabetes in situations such as illness, work, school, travel, or a natural disaster.
Diabetes is part of your life. You can learn how to take
care of yourself and your diabetes when you're sick, when you're at work or
school, when you travel, when you're thinking about having a baby or are
pregnant, or when there's an
emergency or natural disaster.
When You're Sick
Having a cold, the
flu, or an infection can raise your blood glucose levels.
You can have serious health problems leading to a coma if your blood glucose
levels are very high.
Be prepared for illness. Make a plan ahead of time for sick days. Ask your
health care team
how often to check your blood glucose levels
whether you should check for
ketones in your blood or urine
whether you should change your usual dose of
your diabetes medicines
Diabetes RSS
Healthy Living Tips
This site complies with the