Health Tips

How does diabetes cause kidney disease?

When our bodies digest the protein we eat, the process creates waste products. In the kidneys, millions of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) with even tinier holes in them act as filters. As blood flows through the blood vessels, small molecules such as waste products squeeze through the holes. These waste products become part of the urine. Useful substances, such as protein and red blood cells, are too big to pass through the holes in the filter and stay in the blood.

Diabetes can damage this system. High levels of blood sugar make the kidneys filter too much blood. All this extra work is hard on the filters. After many years, they start to leak. Useful protein is lost in the urine. Having small amounts of protein in the urine is called microalbuminuria.

When kidney disease is diagnosed early, (during microalbuminuria), several treatments may keep kidney disease from getting worse. Having larger amounts is called macroalbuminuria. When kidney disease is caught later (during macroalbuminuria), end-stage renal disease, or ESRD, usually follows.
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The most important thing to those with diabetes is the start of living a healthy lifestyle which can lead to weight loss. Weight loss will help with the various statistics that you are monitoring after diagnosed with diabetes. Of course, weight loss also lowers the risk of other diseases like the ever-dreaded heart disease. The bottom line is, if you are overweight, you need to significantly change the way you have been eating and start doing exercise.

Healthy diet coupled with fair amount exercise are important part of weight loss. Dieting can be a daunting task for almost anyone. With diabetes, it is very important to monitor the food you eat to keep your glucose level within the normal range. If you are planning to lose weight, please do it the correct way. Do not go the yo-yo dieting way because it is dangerous with diabetes.

The correct way to lose weight is lower your caloric intake to 500 calories under what you need to maintain your weight. (3500 calories equal to a pound) Staying away from fatty and oily food is important. You should pay close attention in preparing your food, unless you have a professional to give you a diet plan which is highly recommended. With preparation, you can reduce hundreds of unwanted calories which can successfully lead to weight loss.
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