Potential Kidney Problems for obese diabetics

Both diabetics and obesity are linked to kidney failure.  There are many people who are
both diabetic and obese and they have an increased risk of being diagnosed with serious
kidney problems that lead to dialysis or the need for a transplant.  Kidney failure and
damage in a diabetic patient is known as diabetic nephropathy.

The kidneys’ job is to clean the blood but when the blood has excess sugar (glucose)
present it causes damage to the kidneys.  This damage can happen even before someone
knows they are diabetic or if they are not diabetic but are considered obese.  High blood
sugars that are present in the bodies of obese people and diabetics are a problem to these
organs and other functions in body.

There really aren’t any symptoms for the early signs of kidney damage.  You probably
will not know that it is occurring unless your doctor performs a test to check for protein
in your urine (done with a dip stick in the office).  If the doctor finds the presence of
protein it will be closely monitored depending on the amount of protein present.  During
the beginning stages of diabetic nephropathy the kidneys are still able to function and do
their job of cleaning the blood.  Action will need to be taken to get blood glucose levels
under control to prevent further damage to the kidneys.

If your kidneys fail you are at risk for high blood pressure and the build-up of toxins in
your blood because the kidneys are not able to filter them out.  The two options available
at this point are dialysis or a kidney transplant.  Dialysis is a method to clean your blood
using an external machine you are hooked up to that your blood is run through and then
put back in your body

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What you need to know about exercising and Diabetes.

When you are a diabetic, exercise is will help control your blood sugar levels. But if you
are overweight or obese and diabetic, exercise will also help you lose weight.  As a
diabetic, there are additional considerations and precautions that you need to take before
you begin an exercise routine.  And once you have begun, you always need to be aware
of the risks involved.

It is ideal to wait before your exercise if your blood glucose level is too low or high.  You
can do more damage than good if you do not.  It is especially dangerous if your blood
sugar is on the low side and you begin to exercise.  The physical exertion can cause your
blood sugar to drop even further which can become an emergency situation.  As a
precaution, if you are exercising at a gym make sure the staff are aware of your condition
and have emergency instructions and numbers to call.  If you walk or run on your own
outside, keep identification on you that advises you are diabetic along with contact phone
numbers, a snack, and instructions.

For other tips on exercising with diabetes, you can follow the same guidelines that make
sense for everyone else.  Stretch before and after exercising, drink plenty of fluids, and
don’t push yourself too hard.  It is a smart idea to check your blood sugars before and
after exercising and if you are feeling light-headed during your work-out check it then
too.

As feet problems are common in diabetics, wear proper footwear and socks.  If you
notice any sores on your feet that are not going away on their own, see your doctor.  If
they are not healing they can lead to an infection and other related complications.  Even
though there are risks involved to exercising, the benefits make it worth it.

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The Link Between Depression, Diabetes and Obesity

Many people suffer from depression at some point in their lives and people with diabetes
are no exception.  If you are obese and have type 2 diabetes you may blame yourself and
your lifestyle on the disease you now have.  It is hard to adjust to a new lifestyle.  Feeling
down or guilty about this is okay and even normal but if it turns into something more you
need to seek professional help.

It is normal to feel down about having diabetes in the beginning but once you learn more
about the disease and how to control it you can also feel more in control of your life
again.  Take charge, if you are obese and want to improve your blood glucose levels you
can.  By eating a healthy diet and regular exercise you can lose weight and improve your
blood sugars.

If your feeling of being down or hopeless will not go away and is accompanied by any of
the following as well you may be depressed.  If this is the case, contact your doctor right
away.

Signs of depression:

*    You are no longer sleeping like you used to (more or less)
*    Not enjoying life or everyday activities like you used to
*    No energy to do things you want or have to do
*    You are eating more or less or have sudden weight gain or loss

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you seek help.  Being obese and diabetic
can be trying both mentally and physically.  It is important to know that you can take
action to make things better.  Your diabetes may never go away but you can certainly
keep it under control and live a full life.  By losing weight, even a small amount, you can
make a huge difference in your health and diabetes.

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