What Is Diabetic Kidney Disease?

Chronic kidney disease brought on by diabetes is known as diabetic kidney disease.The function of the kidneys gradually deteriorates in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Along with high blood pressure and obesity, hyperglycemia, or elevated blood sugar, is a major risk factor for kidney injury in individuals with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Although diabetic kidney disease cannot be cured and kidney damage cannot be reversed, some treatments, such as blood glucose control, medication, and lifestyle changes, can help decrease the rate at which kidney function declines.However, kidney failure brought on by diabetic kidney disease may require kidney transplantation or dialysis to filter the blood.

Symptoms

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The severity of your blood sugar level determines the symptoms of diabetes. Some people may not exhibit symptoms, particularly if they have type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or prediabetes. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes are typically more severe and appear more soon.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes symptoms include the following: feeling thirstier than normal. frequent urination. losing weight without making an effort. Ketones are present in the urine. When there is insufficient insulin available, muscle and fat break down, producing ketones as a consequence. feeling weak and exhausted. experiencing mood swings or becoming angry. having hazy vision. having sores that don’t heal quickly. acquiring numerous infections, including vaginal, skin, and mouth infections. Diabetes type 1 can strike at any age. However, it usually begins in childhood or adolescence. The more prevalent kind of diabetes, type 2, can appear at any age. People over 40 are more likely to have type 2 diabetes. However, type 2 diabetes in kids is

What is diabetes?

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In simpler terms:

Glucose: The body’s primary source of energy, which comes from the food we eat.

Insulin: A hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose get into cells to be used.

Diabetes: A condition where either the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin, or the body doesn’t use it effectively, causing glucose to build up in the blood.

Diabetes is a long-term metabolic condition marked by elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels. Over time, this can cause major harm to the kidneys, heart, blood vessels, eyes, and nerves. It happens when glucose cannot reach cells for energy because the body either produces insufficient insulin or uses it improperly. To put it another way: The main energy source for the body is glucose, which is obtained from our diet. The pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells. Diabetes: A disorder in which the body either uses insulin inefficiently or the pancreas produces insufficient amounts, resulting in an accumulation of glucose in the blood.

Illness days for diabetes

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You might need to alter your usual diabetic regimen if you’re ill.

You will need to monitor your blood sugar more frequently and change your dosage if you use insulin.

If you are ill, you should stop using some diabetes medications.

Consult your physician right away if:

You are unable to maintain blood glucose levels above 4 mmol/l because you are vomiting frequently or constantly.
You have type 1 diabetes if your blood glucose levels don’t drop below 15 mmol/l after two additional doses of rapid-acting insulin, if you were prescribed it, or if your liver’s production of ketones, a substance it produces when it breaks down fats, keeps rising or stays elevated.

Operating a vehicle while managing diabetes

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If you have diabetes, it’s essential to take additional safety measures while driving.

The primary issue is drivers experiencing low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia or a ‘hypo’). If you are on insulin or certain diabetes medications (excluding metformin), it is crucial to prevent low blood sugar levels, as this can hinder your driving ability and may lead to fainting.

Experiencing high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) can also leave you feeling unwell or fatigued, which might impact your driving safety. You should refrain from driving if you are experiencing severe hyperglycemia.

Managing diabetes effectively

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Maintaining a nutritious diet is crucial for effectively managing diabetes. There is no need to purchase specialized foods or prepare different dishes from your family.

You can achieve this by:

staying well-hydrated with water and steering clear of fruit juices and other sugary beverages,
having breakfast, lunch, and dinner consistently each day,
structuring your meals according to the Healthy Plate model from Diabetes,
monitoring your carbohydrate intake at each meal,
opting for foods that are low in sugar, saturated fat, and salt, while being high in fiber.