By Oankar Kundan
There are five stages of kidney diseases and two types of
diabetes, but do you know that there is what is known as the Diabetic Kidney Disease
or DKD? This occurs when the kidney disease is caused by diabetes where the
doctor has to order a kidney biopsy to find out the primary cause of the kidney
failure.
There is no cure for kidney failure which means that
treatment is needed for a person to live. What does this mean? It means the
hard truth: vital processes that keep a person alive have stopped functioning.
A person with kidney failure cannot eliminate waste and thus harmful wastes or
toxins build up in the body. It also causes the body to retain too much fluid.
Kidney failure contributes to high blood pressure; and makes the body slow down
on producing red blood cells. Treatments available for kidney failure include:
hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation.
Kidney and Pancreas Transplants
A person with DKD can have a kidney transplant from someone
who has died or a living person who has donated his/her kidney. In some parts
of the world, particularly in third world nations, organ donations have even
become an "underground" business. A kidney donor can be anyone - a
family, friend or stranger. After the transplant a patient will need a higher
insulin dose or have to increase his hypoglycemic pills (needed to lower blood
sugar level) for a variety of reasons. The patient who has just undergone a
transplant will be eating more; has a kidney that will break down insulin
better; and will be taking medicines to help keep the body from rejecting the
new kidney. In case the body rejects the new kidney, a dialysis treatment should
be started until another transplant is possible.
Patients suffering from type 1 diabetes may undergo a
pancreas transplant. This can be done after the kidney transplant or at the
same time. The pancreas is another organ in the body which function is to
produce insulin. This transplant allows patients to stop taking insulin shots.
It is best to consult your nephrologist or kidney specialist about this).
DKD and pregnancy
Having DKD is very risky for a pregnant woman as it not only
affects her health but also that of her unborn child. This is called a
high-risk pregnancy which should involve the care of a nephrologist. A pregnant
woman with DKD should observe the following to ensure good health for herself
and her unborn child: maintain her blood sugar levels; inquire about the need
to take insulin to control blood sugar; inform her doctor about her
prescription medicines, especially those for high blood pressure and
cholesterol.
Important notes about DKD
About 246 million people worldwide have some form of
diabetes and a third of these may develop kidney failure. Diabetes can also
harm other body parts and functions involving the heart, nerves, eyes and feet.
The best way to counteract diabetes is to control blood sugar levels.
Meanwhile, there are three treatment plans for kidney failure and a patient's
plan depends on his overall health, lifestyle and personal choice. These
treatment plans should be discussed with a patient's health care team led by
the family doctor and nephrologist. In general, a person with DKD should be
screened regularly for heart and blood vessel disease; must exercise regularly;
and maintain his/her weight through proper diet. Smokers are advised to quit
and seek help to help them stop smoking. Diet proves to be an important component
of treatment for diabetic patients.
Know your options
However, there are other
[http://www.kundankidneycare.com/]options to consider when experiencing kidney
diseases. Injured kidneys can recover with the right care. For alternative
treatment options it is best to consult your family doctor and nephrologist.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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