Chronic Kidney Disease
Every year in the UK , 13,000 people die from problems related to kidney disease. Around 3 million people suffer from Chronic Kidney Disease or CKD and people with a family history, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes and certain ethnic groups have a higher risk.

In fact, Black African Caribbeans and South Asian groups are up to 5 times more likely to be at risk of CKD. Additionally, given that people with CKD have an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, it is very important that anyone in a high risk group identifies whether they have CKD.

Causes of CKD
CKD is how any loss of kidney function is described. The causes are many and varied and include:
•  Diabetes
•  High Blood Pressure
•  Genetic conditions and a family history of kidney disease
•  Smoking
•  Obesity

In this issue of ‘Your Health' we look at Diabetes Mellitus and how you can improve your health
outlook if you suffer from Diabetes. It is estimated that around 2.5 million people in the UK suffer
from Diabetes.

What is Diabetes?
Glucose is needed for energy by every cell in our bodies. Diabetes Mellitus is a condition where the body cannot process glucose properly. This is either because the body does not produce a hormone called insulin which is needed for the body to be able to use the insulin (type 1 Diabetes) or because the body doesn't produce enough insulin, or the insulin produced doesn't work properly (type 2 Diabetes).

Type 1 Diabetes is not preventable and occurs in younger people. For white people this means usually aged 40 or under. However, Black African Caribbeans and South Asians this means aged 25 or under.

Type 2 Diabetes is more common, accounting for around 85% of all Diabetes and is also more complex. It can be linked to obesity as fatty deposits will hinder the body's cells being able to access glucose. It can however occur in people of a normal weight.

What are the Symptoms?
The symptoms for both type 1 and type 2 Diabetes are the same. Because the body cannot process glucose, it will try to expel it through the kidneys and so passing urine more often and hence people with Diabetes will experience thirst.

Additionally, because of the glucose present in the body, people with Diabetes may experience genital infections and any flesh wounds may also take longer to heal.

Eyesight can also be affected as the build up of glucose in the eye causes blurred vision and finally, because the cells in the body are not getting the energy they need, people with Diabetes are often very tired.

Even though the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 Diabetes are the same, there is an important difference between the two. The onset of type 1 Diabetes is quick whilst type 2 Diabetes occurs much more slowly with some people not knowing that they have the condition for up to 10 years.

Diabetes and CKD
Early detection is critical, particularly in high risk groups. However, much diabetic kidney disease is preventable. Changes in lifestyle such as not smoking, eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, not eating too many sweet or fatty foods and doing sufficient exercise can have a positive impact on Diabetes. However, people with diabetes often need additional treatments such as medication to control their diabetes, blood pressure and blood fats and it is important that people discuss any concerns or problems concerning medications and treatments with their doctor.