Diabetes & Kidney Health

March is National Kidney Month—a good time to raise awareness about the importance of keeping your kidneys healthy. 

Most of us give little thought to our kidneys. Yet, these two small bean-shaped organs located in the lower back have a very important job. They filter waste and excess fluid from your blood. They also regulate important minerals like sodium and potassium and even help produce red blood cells.  

Kidney disease happens when the kidneys no longer perform these things correctly. This can lead to dangerous levels of waste buildup in your body.  

It’s estimated that 35.5 million people in the US—about one in seven adults—are living with kidney disease. In Texas, the issue is particularly widespread. More than 50,000 Texans are on dialysis due to kidney failure, and over 8,000 people are waiting for a kidney transplant. 

Kidney disease can be caused by a variety of factors, including high blood pressure, infections, kidney stones, and certain genetic conditions. The top cause of kidney failure, though—leading to 44% of all new cases—is diabetes. 

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Kidneys? 

If you have diabetes, whether it's type 1 or type 2, you’re at a higher risk of developing kidney disease. Over time, this damage can lead to diabetic kidney disease, or nephropathy.  

Here’s how high blood sugar affects the kidneys: 

1. High blood sugar: When your blood sugar is too high, it can harm the small blood vessels in your kidneys. These vessels help filter out waste, so when they get damaged, your kidneys can’t filter waste and extra fluid as well. 
2. High blood pressure: Diabetes often leads to high blood pressure. The added pressure puts added stress on the kidneys, causing even more damage. 
3. Increased risk of infections: Diabetes can weaken your immune system. This makes you more prone to kidney infections. 

Symptoms of Kidney Disease 

Kidney disease can develop slowly. In the early stages, there may be no obvious symptoms. That’s why it’s so important for people with diabetes to regularly check their kidney function with their health care provider. 

As kidney disease progresses, symptoms may include: 

• Fatigue: Feeling more tired than usual, even after a good night’s sleep. 
• Swelling: Fluid can build up in your body, causing puffiness in the feet, ankles, or face. 
• Frequent urination: You may notice that you need to go to the bathroom more often, especially at night. 
• Foamy urine: If your urine looks foamy, it could mean that protein is leaking into your urine, which is a sign of kidney damage. 
• Shortness of breath: Fluid can build up in the lungs, making it hard to breathe. 
• Nausea or vomiting: As the kidneys fail to filter waste properly, waste builds up in the body, causing nausea or vomiting. 

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your provider to check for kidney problems. This is especially important if you have diabetes. 

How to Prevent Kidney Disease 

The good news is that kidney disease caused by diabetes can often be prevented, or at least slowed down. Here are some key steps to protect your kidneys: 

1. Manage your blood sugar: Keeping your blood sugar levels in a healthy range is the most important way to protect your kidneys. This can be done by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, taking medications as prescribed, and following your provider’s recommendations. 
2. Control high blood pressure: High blood pressure can make kidney disease worse. If you have diabetes, it’s important to check your blood pressure regularly and take steps to keep it within the healthy range. Eating less salt, exercising, and taking medication if needed can help control blood pressure. Here are five foods that help to lower blood pressure naturally. 
3. Eat a healthy diet: Eating healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help protect your kidneys. You should also limit your intake of salt, sugary foods, and processed foods. Drinking enough water is important, but if you already have kidney disease, your provider may recommend limiting fluid intake. 
4. Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity helps control both blood sugar and blood pressure. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Activities like walking, swimming, or biking are great choices. 
5. Quit smoking: Smoking can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys and make kidney disease worse. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do to protect your kidneys. 
6. Get regular check-ups: Regular visits to your health care provider are important for monitoring kidney function, especially if you have diabetes. Your provider may test your urine and blood to check for early signs of kidney damage. Catching kidney disease early can make a big difference in how it’s treated. 

Treatment for Kidney Disease 

There are several treatments that can help manage this condition and prevent it from getting worse. Here are the most common treatments for kidney disease: 

1. Medications: Providers may prescribe medications to help control blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and reduce the amount of protein in the urine. Some medicines, like ACE inhibitors, can help to protect the kidneys from further damage. 
2. Dialysis: If kidneys stop working properly, dialysis may be needed. Dialysis is a treatment that helps remove waste and extra fluid from the blood. There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. These treatments are not a cure but can help people with kidney failure live longer while waiting for a kidney transplant. 
3. Kidney transplant: For people whose kidneys have completely failed, a kidney transplant may be necessary. 

If you have diabetes or other risk factors for developing kidney disease, be sure to get regular checkups with your health care provider to catch and treat issues early. Your provider may partner with one of our care coaches or a kidney specialist to come up with a personalized treatment plan. If you don’t have a provider, you see regularly, click here or call us at 866-325-0301.