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5 Ways to Prevent Diabetes-Related Kidney Conditions
If you have diabetes, you may not realize how crucial it is to take proactive steps to prevent kidney disease. Why? Because diabetes is the top cause of kidney disease. In fact, kidney disease develops in at least one in three adults with diabetes.
Our kidney specialists at Deon D. Middlebrook MDPC offer holistic care that significantly lowers the risk of kidney disease. We also provide comprehensive care after kidney disease develops, slowing or stopping its progression to an advanced stage.
The following five steps are key to preventing diabetes-related kidney disease.
1. Control your blood sugar
There’s only one way to prevent health complications caused by diabetes, and that’s to keep your blood sugar in the healthy range. High blood sugar damages the small blood vessels in the kidneys, preventing them from functioning properly.
The longer your blood sugar stays high, the more damage occurs in your kidneys. As a result, diabetic kidney disease develops.
There are three primary ways to control blood sugar:
- Diet: Limit or avoid simple carbohydrates (such as white bread, rice, and pasta), sugary cereals, and sweets.
- Exercise: Exercise generally burns glucose and improves insulin sensitivity, leading to a drop in blood sugar.
- Medications: If diet and exercise don't control your blood sugar, you'll need medications.
2. Manage your blood pressure
Nothing puts you on the road to kidney disease faster than having diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension) because they’re the top two causes of chronic kidney damage.
And if you have diabetes, you have double the risk of developing high blood pressure. You can prevent high blood pressure and may be able to manage existing hypertension with lifestyle changes, such as:
- Reducing salt consumption
- Getting regular exercise
- Losing weight if needed
- Limiting alcohol
- Stopping smoking
- Following a healthy, well-balanced diet (fruits, vegetables, lean meat, fish, whole grains, nuts, beans, and healthy fats)
If modifying your lifestyle doesn’t keep your blood pressure under control, you’ll need medication.
3. Seek medical care for urinary problems
In addition to damaging blood vessels, high blood sugar also damages nerves. If the nerves controlling your bladder are injured, you may not feel when the bladder is full.
A full bladder, or retaining urine in the bladder, can lead to urine backing up into the kidneys. Then, kidney swelling and damage occur.
Signs of urinary problems include:
- Being unable to empty your bladder
- Urinating more or less than usual
- Sudden or intense pain in the back, sides, or abdomen
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Blood in your urine
Don’t wait to seek medical care if you have any signs of a urinary tract problem.
4. Avoid toxic medications
Many prescription medications can affect your kidneys. Your healthcare provider should monitor your health if they prescribe medicines that could harm your kidneys.
However, it’s up to you to be careful with over-the-counter medications. When taking the following, don’t exceed the dose on the package or take them longer than recommended:
- NSAIDS (aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen): Excessive NSAID use can cause kidney injury, nephritis (inflammation of the kidney’s filtering structures), and chronic kidney disease.
- Proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, esomeprazole, and lansoprazole): Taking proton pump inhibitors for four weeks or longer increases the risk of acute kidney injury, bone thinning, and nutrient deficiencies.
- Antacids: Antacids containing aluminum hydroxide may stress your kidneys. If you have kidney damage, any antacid may cause side effects.
5. Schedule diabetes checkups and kidney assessments
If you have diabetes, you should schedule regular checkups to be sure your blood sugar is well-managed. Also, if your healthcare provider has recommended it, be diligent about monitoring your blood sugar at home and during activities.
People with diabetes have such a high risk of developing kidney disease that they should also schedule a preventive kidney assessment. A kidney assessment identifies any current problems with your kidneys, how well they’re working, and the extent of kidney disease.
Armed with this information, we can create a comprehensive treatment plan to either prevent kidney problems or stop the progression of existing ones.
Learn how to prevent diabetes-related kidney problems
We’re here to answer your questions and provide the care you need to prevent diabetes-related kidney problems. Call Deon D. Middlebrook MDPC or request an appointment online today.