Diabetes: How to Prevent Kidney Damage

Diabetes is caused by problems with the production and/or action of insulin, which is a hormone that controls the amount of sugar in your blood. It can damage the kidney filters, leading to diabetic kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy). Around one-third of people who start dialysis or receive a transplant have end stage kidney disease caused by diabetes.

People with diabetes and kidney disease do worse overall than people with kidney disease alone. This is because people with diabetes tend to have other long-standing medical conditions, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and blood vessel disease (atherosclerosis). People with diabetes also are more likely to have other kidney-related problems, such as bladder infections and nerve damage to the bladder.

There are special treatments (including proper food choices and medications) which may help to delay kidney failure. It is necessary to start these treatments as soon as your doctor notices any of the early signs or risk factors. Therefore, you should stay in close touch with your doctor.

There are many things you can do to help prevent kidney damage:

• Have your urine, blood and blood pressure checked regularly by your doctor
• Maintain good control of your blood sugar
• Control high blood pressure (less than 130/80* on most readings)
• Stop smoking
• Exercise regularly
• Make the proper food choices
• Avoid excess alcohol
• See your doctor if you think you have a bladder infection
• Get enough sleep
• Ask your doctor about any new developments in the treatment of diabetes