Complications of Diabetes - Hypertension and Diabetic Kidney Disease

Hypertension and Diabetic Kidney Disease
 High blood pressure is a major factor in the development of kidney problems in people who have diabetes. Both a family history of high blood pressure and the presence of the disease seem to increase chances of developing kidney disease.
    Hypertension is not just a cause of kidney disease, but it's also a result of damage created by the kidney disease. Physical changes in the kidneys contribute to high blood pressure creating a dangerous spiral.

Treating Diabetic Kidney Disease
*Intensive management - Tight control of blood glucose has shown a lot of promise for people at the beginning stages of diabetic kidney disease. This means keeping blood glucose levels close to normal. To have tight control, you have to test blood sugar four times or more per day, give insulin on the basis of food and exercise, follow a nutrition and exercise plan and keep in close contact with a health care team that understands diabetes.
 
*Lower blood pressure - Medications used to lower blood pressure can slow the progress of kidney disease. One medication, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, has been shown to prevent progression to stages IV and V. Calcium channel blockers, another type of blood pressure-lowering medications, also show promise. Ask your doctor whether you might benefit from receiving an ACE inhibitor. Be sure to monitor your blood pressure. Use lifeclinic.com to record measurements and track your pressure. Click on Manage High Blood Pressure
 
*Low protein diets - A diet containing reduced amounts of protein may help. Most Americans eat too much protein, enough to cause harm to people with diabetes. Talk to a diabetic nutritionist or your doctor and ask if you should reduce the protein in your diet.