Diabetes is one of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The good news is that good diabetes control, regular screening and timely treatment can significantly reduce the risk of kidney damage.
I am Dr. Vinod Kumar K, Senior Consultant Nephrologist and Transplant Physician at Manipal Hospitals, Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru. I frequently see patients with diabetes who develop kidney problems without realising it.
Understanding the connection between diabetes and kidney disease is the first step towards protecting your kidneys.
How Does Diabetes Damage the Kidneys?
Your kidneys contain millions of tiny blood vessels that filter the blood.
When blood sugar remains high for many years, these delicate blood vessels can become damaged. The kidneys may start allowing protein, particularly albumin, to leak into the urine.
Over time, kidney function can gradually decline, leading to diabetic kidney disease and, in advanced cases, kidney failure.
The important part: it can happen silently.
You may have significant kidney damage without pain or obvious symptoms.
What Are the Warning Signs?
Early diabetic kidney disease often has no symptoms.
As kidney function worsens, some people may develop:
- Swelling of the feet or around the eyes
- Foamy urine
- Increased tiredness
- Changes in urination
- Poor appetite or nausea
- Breathlessness in advanced disease
Don’t wait for symptoms. Screening is far more important.
How Can You Protect Your Kidneys?
1. Control your blood sugar
Keeping your blood glucose within your recommended range reduces the risk of kidney complications.
Your doctor may use HbA1c along with home glucose monitoring to assess diabetes control.
2. Keep your blood pressure under control
Diabetes and high blood pressure together can accelerate kidney damage.
Take prescribed blood pressure medicines regularly and monitor your BP.
3. Check your urine for albumin
A simple urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) can detect small amounts of albumin in the urine—often before symptoms appear.
4. Check your kidney function
A blood test for serum creatinine and eGFR helps determine how well your kidneys are working.
5. Take kidney-protective medicines when appropriate
Modern diabetes treatment includes medicines that may offer kidney and heart protection, in addition to lowering blood sugar.
Your doctor can decide which treatment is appropriate for you based on your kidney function and other health conditions.
6. Avoid unnecessary painkillers
Frequent or prolonged use of certain painkillers, particularly NSAIDs, can damage the kidneys.
Avoid self-medication.
7. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Regular physical activity, a healthy weight, sensible salt intake and a balanced diet can help protect both your diabetes and your kidneys.
Can Diabetic Kidney Disease Be Prevented?
In many people, the risk can be significantly reduced.
The key is early detection and consistent control of blood sugar, blood pressure and other risk factors.
If you have diabetes, don’t wait for your kidneys to develop symptoms.
Get your kidneys checked regularly.
A simple blood test + urine test + blood pressure check can provide valuable information about your kidney health.
When Should a Person With Diabetes See a Nephrologist?
Consult a nephrologist if you have:
- Protein/albumin in your urine
- Increasing creatinine or falling eGFR
- Persistent swelling
- Difficult-to-control blood pressure
- Rapid decline in kidney function
- Unexplained blood in the urine
- Features suggesting a kidney problem other than diabetes
Early specialist assessment can help identify kidney disease and choose appropriate treatment.
About Dr. Vinod Kumar K
Dr. Vinod Kumar K is a Senior Consultant Nephrologist and Transplant Physician at Manipal Hospitals, Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru.
Qualifications: MD, DNB (Nephro), MRCP (UK), SCE in Nephro (UK), FRCP (Edin), FASN (USA)
His areas of expertise include chronic kidney disease, diabetic kidney disease, dialysis, interventional nephrology and kidney transplantation, including complex and high-risk transplantation.
Website: drvinodkumarkidneycare.in
Appointments: +91 99023 49254