Chronic Kidney Disease

If you have diabetes, taking care of your kidneys should be a top priority. Your kidney’s main function is to filter out and remove any waste and extra water from your blood. Diabetes is the most common cause of both kidney disease and kidney failure, due to the fact diabetes can lead to your kidneys no longer functioning. Speak with a professional at a medical group in Nassau County if you are concerned with how your diabetes could affect your kidneys. At PRINE Health we can provide you with the proper care and information to help you take care of as well as protect your kidneys.

 

How Diabetes Damages Your Kidneys:

Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar, which means the kidneys have to work even harder to filter out the waste in your blood.  Your kidneys are overworked and damaged protein starts to leak into your urine. Soon after your blood pressure rises, waste builds up in the blood, and kidney function will continue to decrease until you reach kidney failure.  If there is no treatment before the kidneys reach kidney failure, a kidney transplant or regular dialysis will be needed to filter out your blood.

 

Symptoms of Kidney Disease:

Various signs point to kidney disease.  Here are some things to look for if you think you could have kidney damage:

• High blood pressure
• Blood test shows a poor estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
• Urine tests show high protein levels
• Urinating more often than normal
• Swollen ankles
• Weight gain
• Decrease in appetite
• Feeling weak

 

Ways to Treat Kidney Disease:

If you have diabetes and kidney damage, there are a few ways a medical group in Nassau County may suggest to help you treat your kidney damage or slow down its progression.  Here are some of those ways:

• Lifestyle changes – Regular exercise and healthy eating habits can help manage your cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure and help your kidneys not have to work too hard.  Lifestyle changes including eating less protein, salt, or fat, limiting alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking are also recommended.
• Medication – Limiting the consumption of painkillers can help slow down kidney damage.  If you have diabetes your doctor might prescribe ACE Inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers to also help slow kidney damage and manage blood pressure.
• Regular monitoring – Check your blood glucose often to keep your diabetes in check and also check your blood pressure often to make sure it isn’t too high.

 

How a medical group in Nassau County Can Help You:

If you are diabetic and need guidance on taking care of your kidneys, consider visiting a medical group in Nassau County.  At PRINE Health, there are plenty of experienced doctors who can answer questions, keep you informed, and help you take care of your kidneys to ensure that you are in the best health possible. Contact us for more information on how we can help you.