Diseases - IlCat.org

Jimmy Said:

What are the early warning signs of diabetes-related kidney disease?

We Answered:

Early warning signs would be seen on your bloodwork and urine studies....while you would be completely asymptomatic. On your blood work, you kidney function test (creatinine) may start to rise. On your urine studies, you may have protein (microalbumin) in your urine. Also, eye disorders caused by diabetes tend to occur at the same time as diabetes related kidney damage. So things like blurry vision and other signs of retinopathy may be indicative of concurrent kidney damage. Usually patients will be asymptomatic from the diabetes related kidney damage until the damage is very advanced. Your doctor can see the damage much sooner via your blood and urine studies.

Jack Said:

what is chronic kidney disease secondary to diabetes mellitus nephropathy?

We Answered:

Kidney disease (also known as diabetic nephropathy) is a complication of diabetes that starts when the blood vessels in the kidney become leaky. These leaky blood vessels allow protein from the blood to be excreted into the urine. Eventually, some vessels collapse and place more pressure on those that remain. Under this increased load, the remaining blood vessels are also damaged and the kidney may fail. The disease may progress to where the patient may have to be placed on dialysis where a machine performs the role of the kidney or receive a transplant.

Here is a web page for you to get more information.

Good luck to you.

Max Said:

Diabetes? Kidney Disease/failure? Proteinuria? Ovarian Cyst? Something else? Any information, symptoms? Thanks

We Answered:

Most likely, the proteinuria was an incidental finding -- it was picked up "by accident" when your doctor did a urine dipstick test as part of the workup for the back pain.

The kidneys (most of us are born with two) have no nerve endings, so they only cause pain when their outer covering (called the capsule) is stretched due to inflammation or swelling. That's why most kidney diseases are silent / asymptomatic until they become quite advanced.

The kidneys' main function is filtering blood and getting rid of waste products (and excessive fluids) in the form of urine. Since most proteins are useful, normal-functioning kidneys will not let proteins go to waste in the urine.

The presence of large amounts of protein in the urine (called proteinuria) is therefore a sign of kidney disease. Diabetes is the leading cause (by far) of kidney disease in North America, and can certainly cause proteinuria. However, just know that there are many other kinds of kidney diseases which also cause proteinuria.

Sometimes even people with normal kidneys can spill proteins into the urine for a short amount of time (for example, after vigorous exercise), that's why your doctor wanted to repeat the urine test for protein -- to see if it was a one-time thing.

More advanced tests can also be done on the urine to help determine the cause of kidney disease. For example, your doctor may want you to collect urine for 24 hours, or collect a sample after sleep while another after you've been up for a few hours.

The blood tests can achieve a few things:
1) Measure your kidney function: In moderate or severe kidney diseases, a test called "creatinine" becomes eleveated.
2) Measure your blood sugars: People with diabetes will have high blood sugars, even after fasting overnight.
3) Check consequences of kidney dysfunction: some minerals like potassium and phosphorus become out of balance with kidney failure
4) Check for some specific causes of kidney diseases (although there are many many diseases with many many different tests, and often only kidney specialists called nephrologists know what test to order for which disease)

Finally, how serious this is depends on how advanced the kidney disease is (if you have one at all). Since you haven't had much in the way of symptoms (again, your back pain is most likely NOT related to your kidney disease), chances are your kidney diseases are still mild, in stages 1 to 3. However, some kidney diseases can progress to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), at which point dialysis becomes needed to sustain life.

The test results will become available in a few days. If necessary, your doctor will refer you to a kidney specialist for further management. But for now, just sit tight -- no need to freak yourself out until the test results return.

In case you are wondering, at least 10% of the population have some degree of chronic kidney disease (http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abs… but many don't even know it. So you are not alone!

Deborah Said:

My Cat is 15 Diagnosed with Kidney Disease and Diabetes, Is there any hope?

We Answered:

Please don't think I am being insensitive here because I went through this with my 16 year old cat. I let the Vet put her out of her suffering. My neighbor and friend just had to do the same thing with her little poodle yesterday. It is hard but it is really the best. You've had 15 wonderful years with your sweet baby. Hang on to those wonderful memories. I know it will be hard. But no matter what no one will every be able to take away her love that she shared with you or the
companionship.Please know that you were a wonderful pet parent to have had her for 15 years and for that I applaud you! Again I am very sorry! Spend a few days just petting and loving your cat before the final shot, give your baby as much love as you can and enjoy quality time.

Benjamin Said:

if you are using a juicer whats the best tonic to treat diabetes or chronic kidney disease?

We Answered:

Natural Home remedies for the treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease

Orange: Taking one or two oranges before breakfast in the morning followed by a glass of hot water or taking orange juice cures kidney problems or protects one from kidney ailments. Oranges keep the kidneys clean. Apples and grapes are also equally beneficial. Fruit juices keep the kidneys healthy if taken in the morning before breakfast.

The use of honey is beneficial in kidney problems.

Carrots: Boil 2 tsp. of carrot seeds in a glass of water and drink it. It will increase the flow of urine.

Radish: Taking half a glass of radish juice provides relief from burning sensation and pain at the time of urination.

Bathua : It is beneficial in kidney problems. It relieves hesitancy and strangury micturition and restores the flow.

Arbi : Eating the vegetable of arbi is beneficial in kidney diseases. It makes the kidneys strong.

Water-melon: Eating water-melon is beneficial in Nephrites.

Long cucumber: Taking mixed juice of carrots and long cucumber or carrots and turnips cures kidney diseases.

Potato: A patient suffering from kidney problem should eat potatoes. It contains lots of sodium and very little of potassium. Too much of potassium causes excessive secretion of salt from the kidneys.

Mango: Mango is shaped like a kidney. Eating mangoes regularly strengthens kidneys.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are everywhere we look this time of year. Potassium is found in all foods, especially vegetables and fruit, so it is easy to eat more than your body requires.

Potassium Levels: Normal blood potassium levels for adults are 3.5 to 5.0mmol/L. Critical levels for people on dialysis are 5.5mmol/L or greater.

Here are some tips to keep your potassium level in the normal range:

* Choose 4-5 servings of low and medium potassium foods per day (ask your dietitian for a list of these foods).

* Remember, serving size counts…even if the food is low in potassium, you still need to watch how much you eat. Generally, a 1/2 cup is an appropriate serving size.

* When treating yourself to a high potassium food, only buy enough of the food to make one or two servings. This way, you can't over do it!

* Cooking some foods, such as potatoes, in large amounts of water allows potassium to move out of the food and into the water. Peel vegetables and cut into small pieces. Boil in a large pot of water. Drain the water after cooking (ask your dietitian about soaking potatoes to further decrease the potassium).

Fresh fruits and vegetables are everywhere we look this time of year. Potassium is found in all foods, especially vegetables and fruit, so it is easy to eat more than your body requires.

Potassium Levels: Normal blood potassium levels for adults are 3.5 to 5.0mmol/L. Critical levels for people on dialysis are 5.5mmol/L or greater.

Here are some tips to keep your potassium level in the normal range:

* Choose 4-5 servings of low and medium potassium foods per day (ask your dietitian for a list of these foods).
* Remember, serving size counts…even if the food is low in potassium, you still need to watch how much you eat. Generally, a 1/2 cup is an appropriate serving size.
* When treating yourself to a high potassium food, only buy enough of the food to make one or two servings. This way, you can't over do it!
* Cooking some foods, such as potatoes, in large amounts of water allows potassium to move out of the food and into the water. Peel vegetables and cut into small pieces. Boil in a large pot of water. Drain the water after cooking (ask your dietitian about soaking potatoes to further decrease the potassium).

Healthy Eating for People on Dialysis

Adding healthy snacks to your day's intake can give you extra energy and help you get all the nutrients you need to stay healthy on dialysis. Eating several smaller snack-size meals during the day can be helpful during those times when your appetite is poor. It can also help people with diabetes with their blood sugar control.

Remember to keep your dialysis diet guidelines in mind when planning your snacks ; eat more protein, less salt, potassium, phosphorous and fluid.

Here are a few tips and snack ideas to help you out:

Try a high protein snack to help meet your higher protein needs. Remember to take your phosphorous binder with these snacks.

* Leftover roast meat on a bun
* Hard cheese (1oz.) or peanut butter (1 tbsp.) and unsalted crackers
* Cream cheese on a bagel

Lower potassium fresh fruit or vegetables:

* Grapes
* Apples
* Berries (blueberries, strawberries etc.)
* Cucumber or celery sticks

Choose low salt snacks to help control fluid intake. Salty snacks and foods make you feel thirsty and may cause you to drink more.

* Unsalted popcorn or lower salt tortillas or pretzels
* Rice Krispie squares
* Graham wafers, vanilla wafers
* For more snack ideas and suggestions, ask your Renal Dietitian

Scott Said:

<Kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, hepatitis B, splenitis> There is cure.?

We Answered:

Cure 4 Heart Disease?!?! I Seriously Doubt It.