Class F diabetes is diabetes that is associated with nephropathy. Diabetes is the primary cause for end-stage renal disease. According to ClevelandClinicMedEd.com, currently 44% of new patients needing dialysis are diabetics. That is why early diagnosis and intervention of diabetes is so critical.
In a healthy kidney, there are many blood vessels which filter out the waste products in the body. These blood vessels have holes which are big enough to allow waste to pass through to the urine, but are small enough to keep useful products such as proteins and red blood cells. In diabetes the vessels are damaged if blood sugar levels are not controlled, causing Class F diabetes, otherwise known as diabetic nephropathy.
In Class F diabetes, a diabetic does not usually notice any symptoms until kidney damage is sever. Therefore, speaking with your physician regularly and meeting your diabetic appointments is very critical. As the conditions progresses the following symptoms may (or may not) appear:
- Swelling in the feet and ankles
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Upset stomach
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Confusion
- Trouble concentrating
Class F Diabetes: Diagnosis & Treatment
Class F diabetes is diagnosed using simple test to check your urine for a protein called albumin. This protein is not normally found in urine and can be an early indicator of kidney damage. Finding this damage early is vital. You should be tested every 5 years if you have type-1 diabetes. A child with type-1 diabetes should be tested every 5 years after they reach the age of 12, and a child with type-2 diabetes should be tested yearly beginning at diagnosis, according to HealthLinkBC.ca.
When you begin taking treatment for Class F diabetes, medications will be given to lower your blood pressure and slow the damage to your kidneys. These medications are called Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). Other medications may also be prescribed.
If you have Class F diabetes, you should work closely with your doctor to keep you blood pressure levels down and your cholesterol levels as close to level as possible. Keep a low-fat diet and exercise regularly too. People with kidney disease are at a high risk of getting heart disease. Also, limit the amount of protein that you eat. This may help to preserve kidney function, as diets with too much protein are hard on the kidneys. Eating less salt and not smoking or drinking also helps to prevent kidney failure in Class F diabetes.
