SLOGAN FOR THIS YEAR – “PROTECT YOUR KIDNEYS AND SAVE YOUR HEART”
CKD and Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use normal amounts of insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the amount of sugar in the blood. A high blood sugar level can cause problems in many parts of the body.
Most common forms of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in children. It is also called juvenile onset diabetes mellitus or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The patient has to take insulin injections for the rest of his or her life or receive a panceas transplant.
Type 2 diabetes, which is more common, usually occurs in people over 40 and is called adult onset diabetes mellitus. It is also called non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. It is caused by reduced response to insulin and often associated with obesity.
With diabetes, small blood vessels in the body are injured. The kidneys are particularly vulnerable and when damaged cannot clean the blood properly. The body will retain more water and salt than it should, which can result in weight gain and ankle swelling. Diabetes also may cause damage to nerves in the body. This can cause difficulty in emptying the bladder. Pressure resulting from the full bladder can back up and injure kidneys.
About 30 percent of patients with Type 1 (juvenile onset) diabetes and 10 to 40 percent of those with Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes eventually will suffer from kidney failure: the most serious complication of the disease.
The earliest sign of diabetic kidney disease is an increased excretion of albumin in the urine. This is present long before the usual tests done in the doctor's office show a loss of kidney function. So it is important to have this test on a yearly basis. Maintaining control of the diabetes can lower the risk of developing both kidney failure and cardiovascular events (heart attack, strokes).
CKD and Hypertension
Hypertension and CKD
High Blood Pressure is another important risk factor in CKD patients. When people suffer from high blood pressure it puts more stress on blood vessels throughout the body, including the kidneys. When this happens kidneys cannot filter wastes from the blood properly.
High blood pressure is a global problem and the situation is projected to get worse. The world population is getting older and aging is the most common risk factor for the development of high blood pressure and diabetes as well as CKD. Nearly one billion people worldwide have high blood pressure, and that number is expected to increase to nearly 1.6 billion by 2025. The prevalence of high blood pressure is predicted to increase by 24 percent in developed countries and by 80 percent in developing regions such as Africa and
High blood pressure is present in approximately 80 percent of patients with CKD. High Blood Pressure is related to CKD in a number of ways. High blood pressure can independently cause CKD, and CKD can cause high blood pressure. The treatment of high blood pressure has become the most important intervention in the management of all forms of CKD. Lowering blood pressure will reduce the risk of heart disease, which for most patients with CKD, is a more immediate threat than end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It will also reduce the chance of developing ESRD requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation
What can be done to control high blood pressure?
Lifestyle changes, regular exercise and diet can have a profound impact on blood pressure and overall health. Weight loss of as little as 8 to 10 pounds can have a dramatic impact on blood pressure. Reducing consumption of alcohol and cigarettes can also lower blood pressure.
Medications are essential in many patients and include the use of high blood pressure medicine, controlling cholesterol and the treatment of symptoms like anemia.
The kidney was designed to balance the salt intake naturally occurring in foods with normal body needs. Increased salt intake can lead to water retention. Eating as we do, many people accumulate more salt and water than their kidneys can handle. Excessive salt and water increases blood pressure and damages our heart and blood vessel walls. The higher the blood pressure, the more damage is done to kidney blood vessels and the more blood flow to the kidney is reduced, impairing the function of the kidney and ultimately leading to CKD.
A healthy diet with salt reduction to roughly less than five grams (100 mmols sodium) substantially lowers blood pressure. In addition, measuring blood pressure regularly and using medications when necessary are vital to reducing the incidence and risk of CKD.
CKD and Nutrition
In most cases the prevention of CKD is, in the first place, a matter of a healthy lifestyle: physical exercise and/or sports, healthy food with limited calories and reduced salt, and not smoking.
We summarize the tips here:
Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Take steps to control your blood pressure. The easiest way to maintain a normal blood pressure is by lowering the amount of salt (sometimes called sodium) by not eating high-salt foods or adding salt to foods and by not becoming overweight. Check with a dietitian to create a diet that lets you eat foods you love without hurting your health.
Keep your weight within the desirable range. Your doctor or dietitian can tell you what your weight should be.
Tell your doctor if your family has a history of high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease
Stay alert for changes in your urine. If you have cloudy, smelly, foamy, cola colored or bloody urine or if it hurts when you urinate, see a doctor.
Watch for symptoms of anemia. If you are constantly tired, too pale, become short of breath easily or suffer from dizziness you might be anemic.
Have a yearly urine and blood test along with a physical examination if you are in a high risk group for CKD (Diabetic, hypertensive, family history).
Stay active. Regular exercise will help keep your body functioning normally.
Drink enough water.
7 Golden Rules
What can you do for your kidneys?
Kidney diseases are silent killers, which will largely affect your quality of life. There are however several easy ways to reduce the risk of developing these kidney disease.
Keeping fit and active.
Keeping fit helps to reduce your blood pressure and therefore reduces the risk of Chronic Kidney Disease. The concept "on the move for kidney health" is a worldwide collective march involving the public, celebrities and professionals moving across a public area by walking, running and cycling. Why not join them - by whatever means you prefer! Check out the events section of the WKD website for more information.
Keep regular control of your blood sugar level
About half of people who have diabetes develop kidney damage, so it is important for people with diabetes to have regular tests to check their kidney functions. Kidney damage from diabetes can be reduced or prevented if detected early. It is important to keep control of blood sugar levels with the help of doctors or pharmacists, who are always happy to help.
Monitor your blood pressure
Although many people may be aware that high blood pressure can lead to a stroke or heart attack, few know that it is also the most common cause of kidney damage. The normal blood pressure level is 120/80. Between this level and 129/89, you are considered prehypertensive and should adopt lifestyle and dietary changes. At 140/90 and above, you should discuss the risks with your doctor and montior your blood pressure level regularly. High blood pressure is especially likely to cause kidney damage when associated with other factors like diabetes, high cholesterol and Cardio- Vascular Diseases.
Eat healthy and keep your weight in check
This can help prevent diabetes, heart disease and other conditions associated with Chronic Kidney Disease. Reduce your salt intake. The recommended sodium intake is 5-6 grams of salt per day (around a teaspoon). In order to reduce your salt intake, try and limit the amount of processed and restaurant food and do not add salt to food. It will be easier to control your intake if you prepare the food yourself with fresh ingredients. For more information on nutrition and kidney friendly cooking, visit our nutrition page.
Do not smoke
Smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys. When less blood reaches the kidneys, it impairs their ability to function properly. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 percent.
Do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis
Common drugs such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are known to cause kidney damage and disease if taken regularly. Such medications probably do not pose significant danger if your kidneys are relatively healthy and you use them for emergencies only, but if you are dealing with chronic pain, such as arthritis or back pain, work with your doctor to find a way to control your pain without putting your kidneys at risk.
Check your kidney function if you have one or more of the 'high risk' factors
you have diabetes
you have hypertension
you are obese
you or one of your family members suffers from kidney disease
you are of African, Asian.
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