According to authoritative data, the number of new uremia patients due to diabetes in the mainland will be as high as 990,000 every year, which is a shocking number. Imagine that every uremia patient needs to spend about 100,000 yuan per year for dialysis treatment, which is a huge financial burden. If all these new patients choose to receive dialysis treatment, the medical expenses of the new uremia patients caused by diabetic nephropathy will reach a staggering 1.48 trillion yuan in the next five years, which is an astronomical amount.
This data is not just a cold number, it represents the pain of countless patients and the struggles of families. It is a heavy picture of the heavy pressure that disease places on individuals and societies. Diabetes, a seemingly ordinary disease, is silently eroding people's health and pushing fresh lives into the abyss of uremia.
Faced with this reality, we can't help but ponder: can we reduce this increase through more effective prevention and treatment measures? Can we provide more support and care to these patients so that they no longer feel alone and helpless in the face of illness? Let us work together to bring hope and light to these patients and their families.
Therefore, sugar friends should pay attention to kidney health early to prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
To prevent and treat diseases, we must keep these two indicators in mind
Many sugar lovers rush to seek medical attention when they encounter the obvious signs of foamy urine, which is like a raging wave, persistent urine foam. At this time, the swelling of the lower limbs is like a dark cloud, the fatigue and weakness seem to be abandoned by the world, the chest tightness and shortness of breath are like being bound by invisible shackles, and the nausea is more like bitter torture. However, all these warning signs often mean that diabetic nephropathy has entered an irreversible stage 4 or 5, and kidney lesions are like broken porcelain, and it is difficult to recover from them.
The diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy is not mysterious, but it should not be underestimated. Albuminuria and the decrease in glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) are the two swords for the diagnosis and prognosis of diabetic nephropathy. The 2024 ADA guidelines are like a beacon to guide us forward, for type 1 and all type 2 people with diabetes who have been suffering for 5 years ≥ years, we should wield this sword at least once a year to perform urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) and glomerular filtration rate measurements in the name of renal function assessment.
Urine albumin/creatinine ratio, referred to as UACR, is a simple and commonplace detection method, which can be used by medical institutions at all levels and even third-party testing institutions, and only costs more than a dozen yuan for a test, which is really a model of good quality and low price. Although the cost of glomerular filtration rate test varies from hospital to hospital, the overall cost does not exceed 100 yuan, which is really affordable.
However, once diabetic nephropathy is formed, it is difficult to treat, like climbing Mount Everest. Therefore, in the face of diabetic nephropathy, we should focus on prevention and prevent it from happening. From the date of diagnosis, we should wield a sword to cut the disease, evaluate kidney function, and conduct early screening for diabetic nephropathy. Annual diabetic nephropathy screening is like putting a layer of armor on the kidneys, and although it costs only 100 yuan, it can avoid the pain of dialysis, kidney replacement or other expensive treatments for end-stage renal disease.
In short, the diagnosis and prevention of diabetic nephropathy is not easy, but it is not difficult. As long as we grasp the two sharp swords of UACR and glomerular filtration rate, be diligent in screening, and have the courage to prevent it, the haze of diabetic nephropathy will eventually dissipate, and the light of health will surely shine on our way forward.
Identifying the "Silent Killer"
The kidneys are not good to see more urine and eyes
The warning signs of diabetic nephropathy are subtle but can be captured. Through a series of well-designed indicators, we can spy on them like detectives. These indicators are like the "fingerprints" of diabetic nephropathy, although it is difficult to observe directly, but as long as we analyze carefully, we can find clues of diabetic nephropathy. They may be numbers, proportions, or trends, but in the eyes of doctors, they are key clues to diagnosing diabetic nephropathy. With these indicators, we can identify the presence of diabetic nephropathy earlier, buying patients valuable treatment time. Therefore, these indicators are not only tools for medical diagnosis, but also "beacons" to protect patients' health.
01
Proteinuria
Albuminuria, a seemingly complex medical term, is actually the key to diagnosing diabetic nephropathy. It acts as a beacon for diabetic nephropathy, illuminating the underlying condition. When the kidneys are infested by diabetes, albumin sneaks into the urine and becomes a clue to the diagnosis.
To ensure an accurate diagnosis, doctors recommend that patients have their urine albumin checked several times over a period of 3 to 6 months. Only when at least two of the three results meet or exceed that critical cut-off value, and other possible interfering factors are excluded, can we be confident that diabetic nephropathy has quietly arrived.
The arrival of proteinuria is often accompanied by foam in the urine. These foams, as if as a messenger of proteinuria, tell us that the kidneys may be facing a challenge. However, these subtle changes are often difficult to detect with the naked eye. Therefore, when you find that you have frequent foam in your urine, you may wish to give your kidneys more attention and care, as this may be a distress signal to you.
02
Retinopathy
Diabetic nephropathy, the "silent killer", often dances hand in hand with an "invisible dancer" - diabetic retinopathy. When sugar friends find that albumin appears in their urine, and their vision gradually blurs, fundus bleeding and other symptoms follow, then this is undoubtedly diabetic nephropathy is sounding the alarm bell to you. Why do we have such a "sister disease"? Because these two belong to the same family of microvascular complications, they are like a pair of sisters with a heart, once the eye has problems, the kidneys often can't escape the doom. So, sugar friends, once you notice signs such as blurred vision, fundus hemorrhage, etc., don't hesitate to do a comprehensive examination of your kidneys immediately!
How to manage blood sugar and blood pressure in diabetic nephropathy
For patients with diabetic nephropathy, blood sugar and blood pressure management is crucial. If left unchecked, these two factors will accelerate the deterioration of kidney function, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, and may even lead to early progress to end-stage renal disease, requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation to stay alive.
First, we need to understand blood glucose management in patients with diabetic nephropathy. The primary goal of blood sugar control is to slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy and reduce the occurrence of complications. Patients should follow their doctor's advice, take regular glucose-lowering medications, monitor blood sugar levels regularly, and adjust diet and exercise according to blood sugar fluctuations. In addition, patients need to learn how to control their blood sugar through diet and exercise. For example, choose foods that are low in sugar and high in fiber to avoid excessive sugar intake, and do aerobic exercise in moderation, such as walking and swimming, to improve the body's sensitivity to insulin.
Secondly, the management of blood pressure should not be neglected. Hypertension is one of the most common complications in patients with diabetic nephropathy and an important factor leading to cardiovascular disease and deterioration of kidney function. Therefore, patients need to take antihypertensive drugs under the guidance of their doctors to control their blood pressure within the target range. At the same time, patients also need to pay attention to reducing salt intake and avoiding overwork and mood swings, which can lead to increased blood pressure.
In addition to medication, people with diabetic nephropathy can also manage their blood sugar and blood pressure with lifestyle modifications. For example, maintaining a regular schedule and getting enough sleep can help the body recover better, eating a balanced diet with adequate nutrients while avoiding excessive sugar and salt, and moderate exercise can not only improve physical fitness, but also promote the stability of blood sugar and blood pressure.
Finally, patients with diabetic nephropathy should have regular renal function tests, as well as monitoring of blood sugar and blood pressure. Through these examinations, doctors can keep abreast of changes in the patient's condition, adjust the treatment plan, and ensure that the patient's health status is effectively controlled.
In conclusion, blood glucose and blood pressure management in patients with diabetic nephropathy is a complex and long-term process. Patients need to fully understand their condition, actively cooperate with the doctor's treatment and advice, and control blood sugar and blood pressure within the target range through medication and lifestyle adjustment, so as to delay the deterioration of kidney function, improve the quality of life, and prolong life. At the same time, patients also need to maintain a positive attitude, face the challenges and difficulties in life, and believe that they can overcome the disease and enjoy a healthy life.