What does diabetes do to the kidneys?
With diabetes, the
small blood vessels in the body are injured. When the blood vessels in the
kidneys are injured, your kidneys
cannot clean your blood properly. Your body will retain more water and salt
than it should, which can result in weight gain and ankle swelling. You may
have protein in your urine. Also, waste materials will build up in your blood.
Diabetes also may cause
damage to nerves in your body. This can cause difficulty in emptying your
bladder. The pressure resulting from your full bladder can back up and injure
the kidneys. Also, if urine remains in your bladder for a long time, you can
develop an infection from the rapid growth of bacteria in urine that has a high
sugar level.
Early
signs of kidney disease in patients with diabetes:
The earliest sign of diabetic
kidney disease is an increased excretion of albumin in the urine. This is
present long before the usual tests done in your doctor's office show evidence
of kidney disease, so it is important for you to have this test on a yearly
basis. Weight gain and ankle swelling may occur. You will use the bathroom more
at night. Your blood pressure may get too high. As a person with diabetes, you
should have your blood, urine and blood pressure checked at least once a year.
This will lead to better control of your disease and early treatment of high
blood pressure and kidney disease. Maintaining control of your diabetes can
lower your risk of developing severe kidney disease.
Signs of Kidney Disease
in Patients with Diabetes
·
Albumin/protein in the urine
·
High blood pressure
·
Ankle and leg swelling, leg cramps
·
Going to the bathroom more often at
night
·
High levels of BUN and creatinine in
blood
·
Less need for insulin or antidiabetic
medications
·
Morning sickness, nausea and vomiting
·
Weakness, paleness and anemia
·
Itching
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