People with Diabetes can develop any number of complications, including kidney disease (nephropathy). Kidney disease can occur in those with either Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes and can progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or kidney failure, if blood sugar levels are not managed properly. According to the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes is the leading cause of ESRD, and those with Type 1 Diabetes are 12 times more likely to develop ESRD than those with Type 2 Diabetes.
How Kidney Disease Develops
The kidneys are responsible for eliminating waste products from your blood and urine. Tiny blood vessels in the kidneys called capillaries filter out these waste products. High blood glucose can damage these capillaries to the extent that they are no longer able to clean your blood properly. When this happens, waste products remain in the blood (creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, or BUN), excess protein (albumin) builds up in your urine, and your body retains more salt and water than normal.
Symptoms of Kidney Disease
One of the earliest indicators of kidney disease is increased excretion of albumin in the urine, which can be detected by a test at the doctor’s office that you should have done on a yearly basis. High blood pressure is another early sign. Outward physical symptoms of kidney disease may include weight gain, swelling in your ankles and frequent trips to the bathroom at night.
As the disease progresses and your kidneys begin to fail, your blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels in your blood will increase. Physically, you may experience nausea, poor appetite, weakness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and muscle cramps in your legs. If you develop any of these signs, call your doctor. The usual span of time between the onset of kidney disease and kidney failure is about five to seven years.
Kidney Disease Treatments
If you are diagnosed with kidney disease before it progresses to end-stage renal disease, you can slow the progression of the disease by keeping your blood sugar levels within your target range, controlling your blood pressure and perhaps decreasing the amount of protein in your diet. Even a mild increase in blood pressure can worsen kidney disease. Your doctor might also prescribe a type of drug called an ACE inhibitor to help lower your blood pressure and slow the progression of kidney disease.
When your kidneys fail to function and you develop end-stage renal disease, you will need a kidney transplant, hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
Preventing Kidney Disease
If you have Diabetes, the most important way to prevent kidney disease is to maintain control of your blood sugars and blood pressure. Because you can have kidney disease but not have any physical symptoms, it is critical that you visit your doctor on a regular basis and have your blood, urine and blood pressure checked at least once a year. Actively managing your Diabetes can lower your risk of developing severe kidney disease.
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