🩺 Diabetic Kidney Disease (Diabetic Nephropathy) Explained

Diabetic kidney disease is kidney damage caused by long-term diabetes. Learn symptoms, tests, treatment, and how to protect your kidneys in simple terms. 

🩺 Diabetic Kidney Disease (Diabetic Nephropathy) Explained 

What Is Diabetic Kidney Disease? 

How Does Diabetes Damage the Kidneys? 

When blood sugar stays high for a long time:

• The small blood vessels in the kidneys become damaged
  
  

• The kidney filters begin to leak
  
  

• Protein starts to spill into the urine
  
  

• The kidneys slowly lose function
  
  

This damage usually happens gradually over many years.

Who Is at Risk? 

What Are the Symptoms? 

How Is Diabetic Kidney Disease Diagnosed? 

Doctors look for kidney damage using simple tests:

Urine Tests

• Microalbumin test – looks for tiny amounts of protein
  
  

• Urine protein-to-creatinine ratio
  
  

• Urinalysis
  
  

Finding protein in the urine is often the earliest sign of diabetic kidney disease.

Blood Tests

• Creatinine
  
  

• eGFR
  
  

• BUN
  
  

• Electrolytes
  
  

These show how well the kidneys are working.

How Is It Treated? 

There is no cure, but diabetic kidney disease can often be slowed or stabilized.

Treatment usually focuses on:

1. Controlling Blood Sugar

• Healthy diet
  
  

• Diabetes medications
  
  

• Regular monitoring
  
  

2. Controlling Blood Pressure

• Blood pressure medicines (often ACE inhibitors or ARBs)
  
  

• Low-salt diet
  
  

3. Protecting the Kidneys

• Avoiding harmful medications
  
  

• Staying hydrated
  
  

• Regular kidney testing
  
  

4. Healthy Lifestyle Changes

• Exercise
  
  

• Quitting smoking
  
  

• Maintaining a healthy weight

Can Diabetic Kidney Disease Be Prevented? 

In many cases – yes.

The best ways to protect your kidneys are:

• Keep blood sugar well controlled
  
  

• Keep blood pressure in a healthy range
  
  

• Get yearly kidney tests
  
  

• Follow your doctor’s treatment plan
  
  

Early action can make a huge difference.

What Happens if It Gets Worse? 

If kidney function continues to decline, it can lead to:

• Chronic kidney disease
  
  

• Advanced CKD
  
  

• Eventually kidney failure
  
  

In severe cases, dialysis or a kidney transplant may be needed.

When Should You Call Your Doctor? 

Contact your healthcare provider if you have:

• New swelling
  
  

• Foamy urine
  
  

• Unexplained fatigue
  
  

• Changes in urination
  
  

• Abnormal kidney test results
  
  

People with diabetes should have kidney testing at least once a year, even if they feel fine.

Important Takeaway 

Diabetic kidney disease develops slowly, but it can often be prevented or delayed with good diabetes and blood pressure control.

Regular testing is the key to protecting your kidneys.

Related Pages

• Microalbumin Test Explained
  
  

• Protein in Urine Explained
  
  

• Creatinine Blood Test
  
  

• What Is eGFR?
  
  

• Chronic Kidney Disease Explained