DIABETES AND THE KIDNEY

Diabetes, when untreated, leads to damage to several organs within the body, particularly the kidneys. This damage may also go undetected for several years, until the later stages of kidney failure are reached, with a need for kidney replacement therapy - either dialysis or transplantation. Such progression is not inevitable.

With good management, diabetes can be well controlled and kidney function can be maintained; to a certain extent, the damage can even be reversed.

Diabetes and the Kidney is written for people with diabetes, their families and carers. It describes the function of the kidneys, the development of nephropathy, the ways to recognize it early and the correct way to manage it.

The title emphasizes how people should take responsibility for their own health, with information on diet, giving up smoking and taking exercise.

• Clearly written description of kidney function, how it goes wrong in diabetic nephropathy and ways to prevent this
• Guidance on diet, exercise and generally encouraging people to become involved in their own health care
• Information on treatment of kidney disease and kidney replacement therapy

Professor Christoph Hasslacher, Head of Department at the St Josef's Hospital in Heidelberg, Germany, has specialised in diabetes and its associated complications, particularly diabetic nephropathy, for many years, both scientifically and clinically. He has published many scientific articles on this topic. He is a representative of the 'Diabetes and the Kidney' working group of the German Diabetes Organization.

Sonja Böhm is a freelance journalist in science and medicine based in Weinheim. She has focused for many years on diabetes mellitus and its complications. She reports regularly on national and international conferences for German general and technical publications. Amongst others, she is a permanent contributor to the newspaper, Diabetes und Stoffwechsel (Diabetes anbd Metabolism) and writes for the Diabetes Journal.

Preface.

Patient Interview.

1. Your fate is in your hands.

2. Diabetic kidney disease - what is it?

3. Early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.

4. Management of diabetic kidney disease.

4.1 The benefits of good blood sugar control.

4.2 The benefits of good blood pressure control.

4.3 Eating correctly - it's all about protein and salt!

4.4 Smoking - a particularly dangerous habit for diabetics.

4.5 High levels of fatty acids in the blood - bad news in every case.

5. Diabetics with kidney failure are threatened in other ways.

5.1 How diabetes can affect your sight.

5.2 Kidney failure also endangers the heart.

5.3 The brain also suffers from arteriosclerosis.

5.4 A common problem - poor circulation in the legs.

5.5 The diabetic foot - how to avoid amputation.

6. What else to consider.

6.1 Urinary tract infection - particularly common in women with diabetes.

6.2 X-ray examinations - contrast agents may be dangerous in patients with kidney failure.

6.3 Dental problems in people with nephropathy.

7. Prospects yesterday and today.

8. Special situations.

8.1 Pregnancy and diabetic nephropathy.

8.2 Sport and diabetic nephropathy.

9. When kidney function fails.

9.1 The different possibilities for kidney replacement therapy.

References.

Appendix.

Index.