Kidney Disease and Diabetes – How Are They Related?

Generally, not anyone who has diabetes contracts kidney disease. This is just another common misconception relating to the illness. While it is true that uncontrolled hyperglycemia can cause kidney disease, diabetics who maintain their appropriate blood glucose levels can avoid developing kidney failure.

Primarily, diabetes can progress to kidney disease when the renal organs are unable to dispose of the byproducts of sugars and starches. These foods stay in the system and do not break up and get eliminated, as they definitely do in others without the disease. These wastes dwell in the body and abnormally cause the blood sugar levels to rise to unsafe, high levels. It makes disposal of proteins difficult as well.

Efficiency of the kidney function is highly altered when there is uncontrolled diabetes. Due to that, the kidneys must work harder beyond its usual process to eliminate body wastes, and clean out sugars and starches at the same time. As the kidneys strain excessive amounts of blood, protein and other waste products begin to leak into the whole body system. Eventually, waste products start to build up in the blood.

A progression of kidney disease is common among diabetics. The kidneys become overworked and they shut down inevitably. When this happens, the person is automatically put on dialysis where a machine functions as an artificial kidney. At most times, an individual with kidney disease could opt for a transplant, however, this is hardly an option to patients that have diabetes.

Without their kidneys, people definitely cannot sustain their lives. For that reason, it is certainly vital that an individual with diabetes recognizes how their kidneys function and what ways can they do to assist these organs to work proficiently. A diabetic doesn’t have to contract kidney disease, as well as the majority of complications following the disease. A simple implementation of the doctor’s prescription and advocating a healthy lifestyle is more than enough.

The only drawback is that many diabetics are non-compliant individuals, those who refuse to do what their doctors instruct them. They do not follow the diet plans strongly suggested in the Glycemic Index, a record developed to educate those with diabetes of what meals to have and avoid. Meals that are high in the glycemic index take the longest to digest and do the most harm to the kidneys.

Furthermore, tracking their blood sugar levels is another problem. A diabetic is normally prescribed a blood monitor that he has to use several times a day to check their glucose levels. These levels are noted and presented to their physician on their next visit. However, many diabetics don not conform to this essential part of their care.

In addition, medications such as insulin shots and oral hypoglycemic drugs are commonly prescribed but are occasionally overlooked and avoided. These drugs aid the kidneys in eliminating waste by metabolizing foods. There are several programs present for those who cannot afford these drugs, so there is no basis to not take these medications.

Lastly, exercise and weight control are very important to keeping a healthy body. Not only for diabetics, but also for the general population. Diseases are easily fought back when the body is functioning well. Yet, most people simply refuse to adhere to these essential measure.

In conclusion, kidney disease and diabetes are two different illnesses. Diabetes is not invariably a marker to kidney disease. One does not always lead to the other. Discipline is the key to achieving a desirable life. If a person is only apt to take care of his body, nothing grave is going to happen.