Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body processes blood sugar. High blood sugar levels over time can damage vital organs such as the heart, eyes, and kidneys. In fact, kidney disease is a common complication of diabetes.

As a diabetic patient, you need to know how diabetes affects your kidneys and how you can prevent or manage kidney disease.

What is Kidney Disease?

Kidney disease, also called renal failure, occurs when the kidneys are damaged and can’t filter waste and excess fluid from the blood properly. There are two types of kidney disease – acute and chronic.

Acute kidney failure happens suddenly, such as after an injury or surgery, and usually resolves within a few weeks or months. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), on the other hand, develops slowly over time, usually over a period of several years, and worsens over time.

What Are the Symptoms of Kidney Disease?

Unfortunately, in the early stages of kidney disease, you may not notice any symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, you may experience the following symptoms:.

Frequent urination, especially at night
Difficulty or painful urination
Blood in the urine
Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or face
Fatigue and weakness
Loss of appetite

What is the Connection Between Diabetes and Kidney Disease?

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels and filters in the kidneys. This damage, in turn, can lead to kidney disease and eventually kidney failure.

In fact, according to the American Diabetes Association, about 30% of people with type 1 diabetes and 10-40% of those with type 2 diabetes will eventually develop kidney disease.

How Can You Prevent Kidney Disease if You Have Diabetes?

The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent or delay kidney disease if you have diabetes. Here are a few tips:.

Control your blood sugar levels: Keeping your blood sugar levels within a healthy range is the most effective way to prevent kidney damage.
Monitor your blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage your kidneys even further, so it’s important to keep your blood pressure in check with lifestyle changes and medications if necessary.
Check your kidney function regularly: Your doctor will check your kidney function with blood and urine tests at least once a year to detect any signs of kidney disease early.
Quit smoking: Smoking can contribute to kidney damage, so quitting smoking is essential if you want to prevent kidney disease.
Eat a healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet that is low in sodium and high in fiber and nutrients can help keep your kidneys healthy.
Exercise regularly: Exercise can help improve your overall health and reduce your risk of kidney disease.

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Kidneys?

High blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in your kidneys, causing them to become less efficient at filtering waste and excess fluid from your blood.

Over time, this can lead to a condition called diabetic nephropathy, which is a type of kidney disease. Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of kidney failure in the United States.

What are the Stages of Diabetic Nephropathy?

Diabetic nephropathy progresses in several stages:.

Stage 1: In the first stage, there are no symptoms, but small amounts of albumin (a protein) may leak into the urine.
Stage 2: In the second stage, more albumin leaks into the urine (a condition called microalbuminuria). Blood pressure may also begin to increase.
Stage 3: As the disease progresses, larger amounts of albumin leak into the urine (macroalbuminuria). Blood pressure continues to rise, and kidney function starts to decline.
Stage 4: In the final stage, kidney function is severely impaired, and the patient may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.

How Can You Manage Kidney Disease if You Have Diabetes?

If you have kidney disease as a result of diabetes, your doctor may recommend the following treatments:.

Blood pressure medication: Medications such as ACE inhibitors and ARBs can help lower blood pressure and slow the progression of kidney disease.
Medication to lower blood sugar levels: Your doctor may prescribe medications such as insulin or metformin to help control your blood sugar levels.
Dietary changes: Eating a low-sodium, high-fiber, and low-fat diet can help reduce the amount of waste in your blood and ease the workload on your kidneys. Your doctor may also recommend limiting your intake of protein.
Dialysis or kidney transplant: If your kidney function is severely impaired, your doctor may recommend dialysis or a kidney transplant.

The Bottom Line

Kidney disease is a common complication of diabetes, but you can prevent or delay its onset by controlling your blood sugar levels, monitoring your blood pressure, and making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and exercising regularly.

If you do develop kidney disease, there are treatments available that can help slow its progression and improve your quality of life.