Indigenous - Diabetes and your kidneys... Diabetes Australia

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06 July 2010

Diabetes Awareness Week 2010

Diabetes Australia-NSW will be spreading the message across the state about the link between diabetes and kidney disease this Diabetes Awareness Week from 11-17 July.

25 June 2010

Congratulations to Jimmy Little on success at APRA awards

Diabetes Australia-NSW would like to congratulate Jimmy Little after he was recognised on Monday for his achievements in music.

07 July 2010

New type 2 diabetes medication may help in type 1

A new medication for type 2 diabetes may also benefit those with type 1, reducing the rise in blood glucose levels following a meal and possibly lowering insulin needs.

29 June 2010

Insulin pump prevents night-time hypos

A special insulin pump which uses continuous glucose monitoring to predict hypoglycaemia and stop delivering insulin can help reduce the number of overnight hypos, according to a new study.

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Diabetes and your kidneys

Why kidneys are important
• Your kidneys help to clean your blood. They remove waste from the blood and pass it out of the body as urine (wee).
• Your kidneys help to balance the salt, water and other chemical levels in your body.
• Your kidneys help keep your blood pressure in check.

Who can get kidney problems?
• People with uncontrolled blood glucose (sugar) levels.
• People with uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• People with high cholesterol (blood fat) levels.
• People who smoke.
• People who have kidney problems in their families.
• Indigenous Australians have a higher risk of kidney problems.

What can happen to kidneys?
• Over time diabetes can cause damage to the kidneys. This can make the kidneys leaky.
• Your kidneys can also be damaged by high blood pressure.
• You won’t know if your kidneys are in trouble until the damage is done. There are special tests that can show early kidney trouble.

What kinds of tests are done?
• A urine (wee) test called a 'microalbumin test' shows if the kidneys are leaky. This test looks for tiny pieces of protein that are lost through the kidneys. To do this test you will have to take a urine sample (sometimes a 12 or 24 hour collection) to the clinic or lab. Your doctor should arrange this test to be done at least once a year.
• Sometimes special blood tests need to be done. These can show if there is a build up of wastes in the blood.

Are there ways to prevent kidney problems?
• It is important to keep your blood glucose levels in check. Remember to take your diabetes tablets or insulin.
• Have your blood pressure checked every time you see your doctor, health worker or educator. Take your blood pressure tablets if you are supposed to.
• Have your cholesterol level checked at least once a year
• Eat healthy foods and do regular physical activity.
• Drink plenty of water.
• If you smoke - quit.

Bladder and Kidney Infections
• These infections can be a problem for people with diabetes and can cause kidney damage too.
• These infections are more likely to happen in people who have high blood glucose levels, who aren’t active and who have bladder trouble.

What are the signs of kidney damage?
• Tiredness.
• Swollen ankles.
• Shortness of breath.
• Loss of appetite.
Signs don’t happen until the kidneys are badly damaged.

Is there treatment for kidney problems?
• If you have kidney problems tablets can slow this damage down.
• If you also have high blood pressure you will need to take these tablets as well.
• Some people need to have dialysis at home or in a hospital or clinic if their kidneys are badly damaged.
• Kidney transplant is also an option.

Your kidneys are important for good health. Remember that you won’t know you have kidney problems until the damage is done, so make sure you have your diabetes in control and have your blood pressure and kidney checks done.