Proteinuria: A Dangerous Stepping Stone To Kidney Failure!
Jula Hanf
A disease which attacks at multifarious levels, diabetes is most notorious for the high levels of blood glucose it brings about, which brings about a plethora of devastating complications in the body, ranging from Diabetic Retinopathy, heart disease and even neural disorders. All these diseases can be attributed to the immense damage the glucose-satiated blood inflicts on the blood vessels, weakening them and obstructing their functioning. Of these, a very common, yet relatively unknown complication induced by diabetes is Proteinuria.
Proteinuria, as the name suggests, is a condition where the urine excreted by an individual contains excessively high amounts of proteins due to an anomaly in the functioning of the kidneys. Kidneys are responsible for the elimination of waste products produced by your body by filtering them out and leaving behind only the essential nutrients which are later assimilated into the body. Your body relies on the proteins in the food you eat for muscle growth and repair.
The size of protein particles is significantly larger than that of the particles of waste matter. Thus, when the kidneys are healthy, these protein particles are retained by the renal filters, while the waste material is discarded. In a diabetic body, however, the functioning of the filters is impaired by the damage the glucose-rich blood has caused them, and these particles of protein are eliminated along with the other toxic matter in the individual's body. Over time, as larger amounts of proteins are discarded by the kidneys, the individual develops a deficiency, which impairs the growth of muscle tissue in his body.
In the early stages of Proteinuria, the sole protein which is excreted by the body is albumin. As this disease advances, several other forms of protein escape into the urine as well, indicating a further retardation in the functioning of the kidneys. Over time, this condition develops even more severe complications and finally leads to kidney failure.
Both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes put their victims at a heightened risk of Proteinuria on account of the blood vessel damage they suffer from. And so, medical experts recommend that these individuals submit to regular checks for Proteinuria to mend and reverse this disease while still in its early stages. Proteinuria is diagnosed by the presence of protein in your urine, while also the kind of protein which is excreted, in order to determine how severe your condition is.
Proteinuria does have physical manifestations that are discernable even without clinical tests like foamy urine and an abnormal swelling in your hands, feet, face and abdomen. These symptoms are only exhibited when the disease has progressed to its more mature stage and waiting for these as an incitement to test for Proteinuria will lead you to grapple with unnecessary complications.
The treatment which is prescribed for diabetes-induced Proteinuria is in effect, the very precautions recommended to diabetics to keep their blood sugar under control. This is because the blood vessel damage caused by diabetes does reverse over time, if the blood glucose levels are maintained at a stable level. If the diabetic has also been diagnosed with high blood pressure, then certain medicines like angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers have been known to aid the process of renal healing and recovery. Although diverse, all complications which arise out of diabetes are still alike in the fact that they stem from a mismanaged condition. The best way to avert these complications is to assume control of your diabetes today! This one step could be a valuable one to take in ensuring you a long, healthy and fulfilling life!
Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.
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