the connection between diabetes and kidney disease

November is National Diabetes Month. It’s important to understand how diabetes impacts your body, especially your kidneys. One in three adults with diabetes has chronic kidney disease (CKD), so the two conditions are common comorbidities.

What is Diabetic Kidney Disease?

It’s a type of kidney disease, also known as diabetic nephropathy, caused by type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The tiny filters in your kidneys are called nephrons, and they work with the blood vessels, glomeruli, to filter waste and toxins out of your blood. They also allow your body to reabsorb fluid and nutrients.

High blood sugar caused by diabetes damages nephrons and glomeruli. That affects kidney function, allowing waste particles to build up in your bloodstream.

Diabetic kidney disease is diagnosed with blood and urine tests. You should test for kidney disease every year if you have type 2 diabetes or have had type 1 diabetes for more than five years.

Symptoms of Diabetic Kidney Disease

This type of kidney disease occurs slowly over several years, so you might not know you have it until your kidneys have sustained damage.

Later-stage diabetic kidney disease symptoms include:

• High blood pressure
• Swelling in the feet, ankles, hands and eyes
• Frequent urination
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Reduced need for insulin or diabetes medication
• Itchy or discolored skin
• Muscle cramps

Risk Factors of Diabetic Kidney Disease

• Uncontrolled high blood pressure or blood sugar
• High cholesterol
• Tobacco use
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• Poor diet
• Family history of diabetes and kidney disease
• African American, American Indian and Latino ethnicities

Preventing Diabetic Kidney Disease

Managing your diabetes and making healthy lifestyle choices can lower your risk of developing diabetic nephropathy.

Here are some tips to consider:

Stay in your target ranges: It’s essential to keep your glucose under control to prevent unnecessary damage to your kidneys. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best blood sugar target range.

Check your blood pressure often: High blood pressure damages the glomeruli. Keep your blood pressure below 140/90 mm/Hg or under a threshold specified by your doctor.

Test your A1C: The hemoglobin A1C test measures your average blood sugar levels over the last three months. You should get tested twice a year to adjust your treatment plan if necessary.

Eat the right foods: Diabetic and kidney disease diets sometimes. It’s important to avoid excessive amounts of sodium, phosphorus, potassium and protein so you don’t strain your kidneys.

Here are some foods to include on your plate:

• Vegetables: Cauliflower, carrots, onion, cabbage, bell peppers, eggplant, turnips and radishes
• Fruits: Apples, berries, red grapes, cherries, plums, cranberries and avocados
• Grains: Buckwheat, quinoa, unsalted crackers and small amounts of whole-grain bread and pasta
• Protein: Fatty fish, skinless chicken, olive oil and nuts

Maintain a healthy weight: Getting at least 150 minutes of exercise per week can help you lose weight, improve circulation and build muscle. Losing five to seven percent of your body weight can prevent or delay diabetic kidney disease.

Embassy Healthcare offers kidney health services through Empower Renal. This program is available at several locations in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida. Call 216-378-2050 or contact us online to learn more.