Diabetes And Kidney Disease
The common perception is that if you are diagnosed as a diabetic, then kidney disease can't be too far behind. This however, is not strictly true. It really is up to the diabetic whether he lets his condition slide downwards to a level when the kidneys get affected or stalls the process and lives a healthy life with a disciplined regime.
How does diabetes happen? It comes about when there is excess glucose content in the blood. This is because the body cannot break down the carbohydrates and these surface in the bloodstream, raising the glucose levels in the blood. This excess amount in the blood becomes a bit too much for the kidneys to eliminate so they stay in the blood and there comes a point when the levels reach dangerous limits.
What does this do to the kidneys? They tend to overwork to get the waste out of the body but when this is not effective, they slow down. At this time, not only do the proteins go through, but there is a leakage of blood into the bladder and the urine. At the same time, the waste matter in the blood gets too much for the system to handle. Finally, there is a point when the kidneys shut down and the only recourse is dialysis or a kidney transplant, both rather extreme and worst case scenario options.
The sad thing in a case like this is that it can be avoided. At no point of time should the system be overworked like this. The kidneys are one of the most important organs in the body and need to be treated with care and respect. You need the kidneys to live – it's as simple as that. All you need to do to keep them functioning well even if you are a diabetic is to follow the instructions of your doctor and make a few lifestyle changes so you are on the road to a healthier you.
The problem probably lies in the fact that we are a food-driven society. Everywhere you look, there's someone eating or drinking something. So even if people are diagnosed with diabetes, they find it very tough to keep to a healthy eating regime. However, unless this is done, it will lead to even more complicated problems, kidney failure being just one of them. Following the Glycemic Index is a good guide to take you through to a healthier life with diabetes. The chart gives you the kind of carbohydrates that cause a lot of harm and those that wouldn't. Each carbohydrate is ranked to make it easier for you to know what to avoid. Used right and regularly, it could save your life.
There are certain other things that you need to do as well. Making sure you monitor your blood sugar levels at the right intervals is absolutely necessary. The doctor will tell you how often you need to do it. So make sure that blood monitor gets used at the right time and record your readings and carry them to your doctor visits. Many diabetics treat this as a joke and don't bother but if you want a healthy life ahead, this is also very essential. Also remember to take the medication or insulin prescribed by the doctor faithfully at the times they should be. These help the waste to be eliminated from the body so they are absolutely essential.
You also need to monitor your weight and make sure that it stays within the acceptable levels. For this too, take your doctor's advice and guidance. Make sure you follow a regular exercise program and don't stop just because you're feeling lazy.
These guidelines really are must-dos in a diabetic's life so don't neglect them. There is no real reason why diabetes should be followed by kidney disease – not unless you go down that way with a total unconcern for your health.