Renal/Diabetic/Cancer Prevention diets - Help

I know that this seems like a lot for one person to handle, but before I offend anyone or make people think that I suffer from all of this, please let me explain myself.

I have been battling with some serious health issues since December. As of yet they cannot find "anything" that is causing my problems. I am pretty scared due to everything happening with me and the lack of answers so I am hoping perhaps I can alleviate some of my issues by avoiding/adding certain foods. I am always hearing about Cancer prevention foods and what not and wonder if anyone out there has any suggestions or ideas that may fall into these categories.

 

About my health, I do know this:

 

1. I was diagnosed as diabetic 3 years ago, but as a result of losing 140 lbs, my issue is now low blood sugar rather then high blood sugar, so I have to be careful. Small frequent meals work best for me.

2. Recently I began experiencing recurring bladder infections that are treated with antibiotics but seem to come back and are more painful then the last. I honestly think that this sudden onset of bladder infections is a result of something more going on, but I have heard certain foods can help prevent the onset of bladder infections. I have begun trying to drink 1 glass of cranberry juice a day, but other suggestions would be welcome.

3.  I am under going more tests because they "see something" on my kidney. This with the recent bladder infections and the constant pain in my right lower back has me scared of both renal disease and yes, cancer. There has been many forms of cancer in my family and if I can help prevent it with certain foods that would be a good basis.

 

I know it seems I’m freaking out, but i really think diet could be a big part of this. So please, any suggestions and recipes would be welcome. Thanks for listening.

 

 

 

Kidney cancer is very treatable if caught early enough, I had a kidney removed last year from kidney cancer and so far it looks like I am now cancer free. The main thing is don’t freak out too much.

If you don’t have cancer then the main thing to keep your kidneys healthy is keep your weight down, keep you blood pressure under control and keep your diabetes under control.

You probable should also have your creatinine level checked as well as protein in your urine, both will help tell if your kidneys are working well.

Scott

It's probably all connected to the diabetes.  One of the symptoms of diabetes is repeated bouts of thrush and bladder infections.  Bladder infections can lead to kidney infections... and this is probably what has shown up on the scan.  Losing weight, eating regularly and drinking the cranberry juice are all good moves.  Drinking more fluids generally would reduce the acidity of your urine which would hopefully result in fewer bladder infections.   Possibly avoiding foods with yeast could also help.... vinegar, alcohol, cheese, yeast extract, some baked goods.   If your diet was very high in fat in the past, pain in the lower back could be an irritated gall bladder, rather than simply kidney problems.

So don't worry and don't drastically change your diet.  If you've lost a lot of weight I expect you're already eating plenty of healthy whole foods & not so much sugary, starchy, processed or rich food.  You sound like you're in very good hands.

Scott and Jane

 

Thank you for your responses and may I saw how happy I am to hear you are healthy Scott.

I have to admit, this does weigh heavily on my mind but I am hoping for the best outcome. For me its a matter of them finding "something" after struggling for so long with no answers.

I get my blood work checked very often, especially when they are continuing investigations. My creatinine and Kidney functions enzymes are all normal and I have now had 2 bladder infections in less then a month that have caused more pain then child birth, but the tests are only showing moderate infections around 2 weeks after the pain increases. So I am at a loss and maybe reaching for straws, but hey, if this promts me to fine tune my eating, then why not.

I have lost a lot of weight but hope to lose about 40 more pounds, my diabetes is very carefuly controled and my blood preasure has always been excellent so I have that going for me. So l have that going for me.

I guess the main purpose of my post was to see if there were any triggers that may cause more harm then good. Like, should I limit/exculde coffee or teas? Increase citrus fruits? I am just looking for way to boost my current diet to help me in this battle.

Thank you both for your responses. I wish you both happy health!!

Rachel