Diabetic Kidney Disease (Nephropathy): How Does Diabetes Affect Your Bladder And Kidneys?

People living with diabetes have higher a risk of developing several different complications, including one known as diabetic kidney disease or diabetic nephropathy. In fact, diabetes is the most common cause of kidney disease and it affects about 25 percent of adults with diabetes.

So, what do your kidneys do?

The kidneys, which are located below your ribcage, play a major role in filtering out waste and extra water from your blood and excreting them in the form of urine. The kidneys also have other jobs, such as controlling your body pressure and producing important hormones. When the kidneys are damaged, they are unable to filter blood like they are supposed to and that causes toxic waste to build up in your blood. Because the kidneys play other roles besides filtering out urine, kidney damage can also cause various health problems.

Diabetes and kidney disease: What's the link?

Diabetes patients often have high blood sugar levels, which are associated with damage to blood vessels, including the blood vessels in your kidneys. The blood vessels provide kidney cells with oxygen and other nutrients. Therefore, if the blood vessels are not working properly, your kidney cells will also become damaged and stop functioning as they are supposed to. Since people with diabetes are more likely to have high blood pressure, that is an additional way in which diabetes contributes to kidney disease.

Risk factors: Who is most likely to develop diabetic kidney disease?

The known risk factors for diabetic kidney disease include:

• Duration. Having diabetes for a long time increases your risk of developing kidney damage.
• Uncontrolled diabetes. If you have high blood sugar levels that you are unable to get under control, you are more likely to develop kidney disease.
• High blood pressure. When a person has higher blood pressure, their kidneys have to work extra hard to filter out the water and toxins from the blood. Therefore, patients with high blood pressure are more likely to experience kidney disease.
• Ethnicity. African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics are more likely to develop both kidney disease and kidney failure than Caucasians.
• Smokers are more likely to develop kidney disease.
• Diet. People who eat salty or unhealthy foods are more likely to develop kidney disease.
• A sedentary lifestyle. Studies have shown that people that lead a sedentary lifestyle are at a higher risk for developing kidney disease.
• Weight. Overweight and obese people have a higher risk of kidney disease.
• A family history of kidney disease or kidney failure.
• Cardiovascular disease. There is an intimate link between cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. Hence, patients with diabetes that have cardiovascular disease are more likely to develop kidney disease.

How is diabetic kidney disease diagnosed?

Unfortunately, the vast majority of people who have diabetic kidney disease don’t present with any symptoms. Hence, you have to get your kidneys checked if you are at risk of developing diabetic kidney disease. Blood and urine tests determine your levels of specific compounds and proteins that are indicative of kidney disease. For example, your doctor will order a test to check your urine for levels of albumin (a type of protein). They will also do a blood test to determine how well your kidneys' filtration system is working.

Prevention: Can diabetic kidney disease be avoided?

People with diabetes can take certain steps to either prevent or delay kidney disease:

• Keep your blood sugar levels under control. The most important thing when it comes to preventing any diabetes-related complication is to control your blood sugar levels. You should get your blood sugar levels checked out regularly by a doctor, particularly by doing a test known as the A1C test which can tell you your blood sugar levels over the past two to three months.
• Regularly test your blood sugar levels. At-home monitoring for blood sugar levels is the best way to make sure your blood sugar levels are in the normal range. This can be done easily with a glucose monitor that your doctor can show you how to use. Monitoring your blood sugar levels can give you insights into whether your diabetes is being well-managed through your current treatment.
• Control your blood pressure. Healthy kidneys require a healthy blood pressure, too. If you have high blood pressure, you will be prescribed medication that can keep your kidneys healthy.
• Have a healthy diet. Patients who consume too much salt have a higher risk of high blood pressure, and thus kidney disease. Additionally, it is important to eat a healthy diet as that keeps you in better health overall.
• Exercise and maintain a healthy weight. Overweight and sedentary diabetics are more likely to get diabetic kidney disease, so one way to prevent that is by maintaining a healthy weight and being active.
• Stay adherent to your medications. It is very important to take your medications as prescribed.