Diabetic kidney disease is the medical term for kidney disease caused by diabetes. If the blood vessels in your kidneys are damaged, your kidneys may not work as well to remove wastes and extra fluid from your body.
Extra fluid in the blood vessels may then raise blood pressure even more, creating a dangerous cycle. The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public.
Diet may also help alleviate symptoms of nausea. A person should regulate their salt intake carefully to control hypertension. A person may also need to limit potassium and phosphorus, as these can be dangerous for people with chronic kidney disease. Learn about the best food for healthy kidneys here. People with chronic kidney disease should avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, certain antibiotics, or the use of dye with a CT scan due to an increased risk of side effects because of the way the kidneys may metabolize the drugs.
It occurs when the kidneys cannot keep up with the waste and fluid elimination process despite lifestyle changes, diet, and medications. For this reason, a person with end-stage renal disease will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive.
Most doctors will try to delay the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant for as long as possible because they can lead to potentially serious complications. Learn more about end stage renal disease here. Dialysis is the mechanical removal of waste products and excessive fluids from the blood when the kidneys cannot do the job properly anymore. Dialysis has some serious risks, including infection.
Learn all about kidney dialysis here. A kidney transplant is a better option than dialysis for those with no other health conditions apart from kidney failure.
Even so, candidates for a kidney transplant may have to undergo dialysis until they receive a new kidney. The kidney donor and recipient will need to have the same blood type and similar human leukocyte antigen HLA tissue type and antibodies to reduce the risk of the body rejecting the new kidney. Siblings or very close relatives are usually the best types of donors. If a living donor is not possible, the search will begin for a cadaver donor, a kidney from someone who has just died.
Learn more about organ transplants and how they work here. Kidneys carry out the complex system of filtration in our bodies — they remove excess waste and fluid material from the blood and excrete it from the body. In most cases, kidneys can eliminate most waste materials that our body produces. However, problems can occur if the blood flow does not reach the kidneys properly, the kidneys are not working properly because of damage or disease, or an obstruction prevents urine outflow.
Chronic kidney disease often happens as a result of either diabetes or hypertension high blood pressure. When diabetes is not well controlled, sugar glucose accumulates in the blood and can damage the kidneys. High blood pressure can damage the glomeruli, which are parts of the kidney that filter waste products.
Learn more about the causes of kidney failure here. Most of the causes of chronic kidney disease are also risk factors for the condition. In addition to diabetes, high blood pressure, other risk factors include:. Learn more about kidney disease in African American people here. A doctor will check for signs of chronic kidney disease and ask the person about their symptoms.
They may also order the following tests:. Learn more about diagnostic tests for kidney function here. If the chronic kidney disease progresses to kidney failure, complications can include:.
Some conditions, such as diabetes, increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. Controlling diabetes can significantly reduce the chances of developing kidney failure.
A healthy diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats or fish, will help keep blood pressure down. Learn more about what constitutes a healthy diet here. Regular physical exercise is ideal for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. It also helps control chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. Individuals should check with a doctor whether an exercise program is suitable for their age, weight, and health. Learn about the benefits of exercise for physical and mental health here.
Excessive alcohol and drug use, long-term exposure to heavy metals, such as lead, fuels, solvents, and other toxic chemicals can contribute to kidney disease. Learn how gasoline exposure can affect health here.
Systemic disparities in medical care that impact African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American people can affect the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease. Research shows that chronic kidney disease may progress faster for people in these groups than for people who are white.
A person may not realize they have a problem before serious symptoms appear. Studies show that people who reside in lower-income areas may be less likely to receive predialysis care from a nephrologist or a kidney transplant than people who are white.
When a person does qualify for a transplant, they may wait longer. Chronic kidney disease is usually caused by other conditions that put a strain on the kidneys.
Often it's the result of a combination of different problems. You can help prevent CKD by making healthy lifestyle changes and ensuring any underlying conditions you have are well controlled. CKD can be diagnosed using blood and urine tests. These tests look for high levels of certain substances in your blood and urine that are signs your kidneys aren't working properly.
If you're at a high risk of developing kidney disease for example, you have a known risk factor such as high blood pressure or diabetes , you may be advised to have regular tests to check for CKD so it's found at an early stage.
The results of your blood and urine tests can be used to tell the stage of your kidney disease. This is a number that reflects how severe the damage to your kidneys is, with a higher number indicating more serious CKD.
There's no cure for CKD, but treatment can help relieve the symptoms and stop it getting worse.
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