How Does Diabetes Affect the Kidneys

Over time, poorly controlled diabetes can cause damage to blood vessel clusters in your kidneys that filter waste from your blood. This can lead to kidney damage and cause high blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause further kidney damage by increasing the pressure in the delicate filtering system of the kidneys.

1. What happens to kidneys with diabetes?
2. How long does it take for diabetes to damage kidneys?
3. Can you reverse kidney damage caused by diabetes?
4. What is the most important symptom of early kidney disease from diabetes?
5. What color is urine when your kidneys are failing?
6. What is diabetic nephropathy symptoms?
7. Can diabetes be cured?
8. Why do kidneys fail with diabetes?
9. How long does it take for type 2 diabetes to damage kidneys?
10. What are the signs of stage 1 kidney disease?
11. How can I keep my kidneys healthy with diabetes?
12. How is diabetic kidney disease treated?

What happens to kidneys with diabetes?

Diabetes can harm the kidneys by causing damage to: Blood vessels inside your kidneys. The filtering units of the kidney are filled with tiny blood vessels. Over time, high sugar levels in the blood can cause these vessels to become narrow and clogged.

How long does it take for diabetes to damage kidneys?

How long does it take for kidneys to become affected? Almost all patients with Type I diabetes develop some evidence of functional change in the kidneys within two to five years of the diagnosis. About 30 to 40 percent progress to more serious kidney disease, usually within about 10 to 30 years.

Can you reverse kidney damage caused by diabetes?

It is not uncommon for people who have diabetes to develop kidney problems. When diagnosed early, it may be possible to stop diabetic kidney disease and fix the damage. If the disease continues, however, the damage may not be reversible.

What is the most important symptom of early kidney disease from diabetes?

The earliest sign of diabetic kidney disease is an increased excretion of albumin in the urine. This is present long before the usual tests done in your doctor's office show evidence of kidney disease, so it is important for you to have this test on a yearly basis. Weight gain and ankle swelling may occur.

What color is urine when your kidneys are failing?

When kidneys are failing, the increased concentration and accumulation of substances in urine lead to a darker color which may be brown, red or purple. The color change is due to abnormal protein or sugar, high levels of red and white blood cells, and high numbers of tube-shaped particles called cellular casts.

What is diabetic nephropathy symptoms?

Symptoms

• Worsening blood pressure control.
• Protein in the urine.
• Swelling of feet, ankles, hands or eyes.
• Increased need to urinate.
• Reduced need for insulin or diabetes medicine.
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating.
• Shortness of breath.
• Loss of appetite.

Can diabetes be cured?

Even though there's no diabetes cure, diabetes can be treated and controlled, and some people may go into remission. To manage diabetes effectively, you need to do the following: Manage your blood sugar levels.

Why do kidneys fail with diabetes?

One cause of kidney failure is diabetes mellitus, a condition characterised by high blood glucose (sugar) levels. Over time, the high levels of sugar in the blood damage the millions of tiny filtering units within each kidney. This eventually leads to kidney failure.

How long does it take for type 2 diabetes to damage kidneys?

Overall, kidney damage rarely occurs in the first 10 years of diabetes, and usually 15 to 25 years will pass before kidney failure occurs. For people who live with diabetes for more than 25 years without any signs of kidney failure, the risk of ever developing it decreases.

What are the signs of stage 1 kidney disease?

The most common signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease include:

• anemia.
• blood in urine.
• dark urine.
• decreased mental alertness.
• decreased urine output.
• edema – swollen feet, hands, and ankles (face if edema is severe)
• fatigue (tiredness)
• hypertension (high blood pressure)

How can I keep my kidneys healthy with diabetes?

Ways to Prevent Kidney Failure If You have Diabetes:

1. Stay within Your Blood Glucose Goals:
2. Take Steps to Control Your Blood Pressure:
3. Stick to a Diabetes Diet Plan:
4. Stop Smoking:
5. Exercise Regularly:
6. Take Your Medications Regularly:
7. Join a Support Group for Diabetic Patients:

How is diabetic kidney disease treated?

Medications

1. Control high blood pressure. Medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are used to treat high blood pressure. ...
2. Manage high blood sugar. ...
3. Lower high cholesterol. ...
4. Foster bone health. ...
5. Control protein in urine.