Keep Prevent Your Diabetes Kidney Problems

• Keep your blood glucose as close to your goal as possible. For many people, this level is as close to normal as possible. For others, a goal of high blood glucose may be better. Ask your doctor what blood glucose numbers are healthy for you.

• Keep your blood pressure below 130/80 to help prevent kidney damage. Blood pressure is expressed as two numbers separated by a slash. For example, 120/70 is said as "120 over 70."

• For some people, high blood pressure goal can be better. Ask your doctor what is best for you. If you take blood pressure pills every day, take them as directed by your doctor. Keeping blood pressure under control also delay or prevent damage to the eyes, heart and blood vessels.

• Ask your doctor about taking pills to slow down kidney damage. Two types are available:

1. ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor
2. ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker)

• Follow the healthy eating plan with your doctor or dietitian. If you already have kidney problems, your dietitian may suggest that you eat less protein, especially animal products like meat, milk, cheese and eggs.

• They have their kidneys checked at least once a year to have a urine test for protein. This test is called albumin in the urine.

• Have your blood at least once a year for creatinine. The result of this test should be used to find the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a measure of kidney function.

• Kidney exams that your doctor thinks you need.

• Avoid taking painkillers regularly. Daily use of pills like aspirin or acetaminophen can damage the kidneys. Take a single dose of aspirin every day to protect the heart, however, should be safe. Take acetaminophen for pain from time to time must also be safe. But if it is chronic pain such as arthritis, work with your doctor to find a way to control pain without putting your kidneys at risk.

• See a doctor immediately for bladder or kidney infections. You may have an infection if you have these symptoms:

pain or burning when urinating

frequent urge to go to the bathroom

urine that looks cloudy or reddish

fever or feeling shaky

pain in the back or side below the ribs

Diabetes Problems in your Kidneys

Excess glucose in the blood for a long time can cause diabetes problems. This blood glucose, also called blood sugar can damage many body organs like the heart, blood vessels, eyes and kidneys. Heart and blood vessels can cause heart attacks and strokes. You can do much to prevent or delay diabetes problems.



The kidneys act as filters to clean the blood. They get rid of waste and send along filtered fluid. The tiny filters in the kidneys are called glomeruli.



When kidneys are healthy, the artery brings blood and waste from the blood to the kidneys. The glomeruli clean the blood. Then, waste and excess fluid out in the urine through the ureter. The clean blood leaves the kidneys and re-enters the bloodstream through the vein.

How can clogged pad blood vessels hurt my legs and feet?

Peripheral arterial disease, also called PAD, can happen when the openings of the blood vessels become narrow and the legs and feet do not get enough blood. You may feel leg pain when walking or exercising. Some people also have numbness or tingling in the feet or legs or have sores that heal slowly.



What can I do to prevent or control PAD?

• Don't smoke.
• Keep blood glucose and blood pressure under control.
• Keep blood fats close to normal.
• Be physically active.
• Ask your doctor if you should take aspirin every day.

How do narrowed blood vessels cause high blood pressure?

Narrowed blood vessels leave a smaller opening for blood to flow through. Having narrowed blood vessels is like turning on a garden hose and holding your thumb over the opening. The smaller opening makes the water shoot out with more pressure. In the same way, narrowed blood vessels lead to high blood pressure. Other factors, such as kidney problems and being overweight, also can lead to high blood pressure.

Many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure. If you have heart, eye, or kidney problems from diabetes, high blood pressure can make them worse.
A smaller opening in a garden hose makes the water pressure higher. In the same way, clogged blood vessels lead to high blood pressure.

You will see your blood pressure written with two numbers separated by a slash. For example, your reading might be 120/70, said as "120 over 70." For people with diabetes, the target is to keep the first number below 130 and the second number below 80.



If you have high blood pressure, ask your doctor how to lower it. Your doctor may ask you to take blood pressure medicine every day. Some types of blood pressure medicine can also help keep your kidneys healthy.

You may also be able to control your blood pressure by

• eating more fruits and vegetables
• eating less salt and high-sodium foods
• losing weight if you need to
• being physically active
• not smoking
• limiting alcoholic drinks