Type 2 Diabetes Specialist
Southland Renal Medical Group
Nephrologists located in the Greater Long Beach and Orange County, CA Area
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, affecting roughly 30 million Americans, and increases your risk of kidney disease. The experienced team at Southland Renal Medical Group, with kidney treatment centers in Long Beach, Downey, Fountain Valley, and Los Alamitos, California, specializes in the management of Type 2 diabetes with kidney disease and can provide the care you need to manage both conditions. For a consultation, book an appointment online or by phone today.
Type 2 Diabetes Q & A
What is Type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes causes your blood sugar to be higher than normal due to problems with how your insulin works. Insulin is a hormone made in your pancreas that assists in getting sugar from your blood into the cell to supply energy. In people with Type 2 diabetes, the insulin isn’t able to perform this function.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes and most often develops in adults over the age of 45. You may be at risk of Type 2 diabetes if it runs in your family, you’re overweight or obese, or you’re not engaged in regular physical activity.
How does diabetes increase my risk of kidney disease?
As many as 40% of people with Type 2 diabetes go into kidney failure. Too much sugar in your blood is like acid to your blood vessels and organs. Over time, the excess sugar damages the small blood vessels in your kidneys, making it harder for them to function normally.
How do I know if I have kidney disease?
Diabetes is a risk factor for kidney disease and your primary care physician closely monitors your renal function, as well as your diabetes, during your regular visits. If your doctor finds that you have large amounts of protein, then you may be showing early signs of kidney damage. As the damage progresses, you may experience an increase in your blood pressure, as well as a decrease in the amount of diabetes medication you need to take to control your blood sugar.
You should have a urine test for protein and blood pressure screening at least once a year with Type 2 diabetes.
How do I manage my Type 2 diabetes and kidney disease?
If you have both Type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the team at Southland Renal Medical Group can develop a treatment plan to help slow down the progression of kidney damage. Your treatment may include blood pressure medication, as well as a visit with the on-staff dietitian to help you make changes to your diet to support both blood sugar control and kidney health.
If you’re in kidney failure, your specialist at Southland Renal Medical Group can talk to you about dialysis and kidney transplantation, which are the two treatment options for kidney failure.
Type 2 diabetes places you at risk of kidney disease. To get help managing your kidney health, call Southland Renal Medical Group or book a consultation online today.