Diabetic Kidney Disease: Understanding Symptoms and Causes

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Tom Babu, Medical Director - Written by Jasni Salim - Updated on 12/08/2024

Diabetic kidney disease is a serious issue for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is also called Diabetic nephropathy. In the U.S., about 1 in 3 people with diabetes have this condition. It happens when the kidneys cannot remove waste and extra fluid from the body properly. To prevent or slow down diabetic nephropathy, it is important to live healthily and keep diabetes and high blood pressure under control.

Over time, this disease can harm the kidneys' filtering system thus getting early treatment is very important. If the kidneys fail, this is known as end stage kidney disease which can be life threatening. People with kidney failure may need dialysis or a kidney transplant as treatment options. Taking care of your health is crucial to avoid these problems. Read further to know more about it in detail.

What are the Symptoms of Diabetic Kidney Disease?

In the beginning of diabetic kidney problems, you might not feel anything wrong. But later on, you may start to notice some symptoms which are as follows:

High blood pressure that is difficult to control
Foamy urine
Swelling of ankles, feet, hands, or eyes
Shortness of breath
Confusion or difficulty thinking
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetitte
Tiredness and weakness
Itching

What are the Causes of Diabetes Kidney Disease?

Diabetic nephropathy happens when diabetes harms the kidneys. It is a common problem for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. If diabetes is not managed well, it will damage the blood vessels in the kidneys that help remove waste from the blood.

This will hurt the kidneys and lead to high blood pressure. High blood pressure can make kidney damage worse by increasing pressure in the kidneys' filtering system. Taking care of diabetes is important to keep the kidneys healthy and avoid these issues.

How the Kidneys Work?

The kidneys have many tiny clusters of blood vessels called glomeruli that filter waste from your blood. If these blood vessels get damaged often due to diabetes, the kidneys will not work properly. This will lead to kidney problems and eventually kidney failure if not treated.

What are the Risk Factors?

If you have diabetes, below given things will increase your chances of kidney problems:

Smoking
Obesity
High blood cholesterol
A family history of diabetes and kidney disease
Uncontrolled high blood sugar which is also called hyperglycemia
Uncontrolled high blood pressure which is also called hypertension

Complications Involved

Problems from diabetes and kidney disease can develop slowly over time which takes months or even years. These problems may include:

Buildup of body fluids can cause swelling in arms and legs, high blood pressure, or fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema).
High levels of potassium in the blood are called hyperkalemia.
Heart and blood vessel problems (cardiovascular disease) can lead to a stroke.
A lower number of red blood cells can cause anemia which means less oxygen is carried in the body.
Pregnant people may face complications that can be risky for both them and their baby.
Damage to the kidneys that cannot be repaired is called end stage kidney disease which requires either dialysis or a kidney transplant.

How to Prevent It?

To reduce your chances of getting diabetes and kidney problems, do the following:

Visit Your Doctor Regularly: See your health care team often to check how you are managing diabetes. Your appointments may be every year or more frequently to look for kidney problems and other complications.
Treat Your Diabetes: With the proper diabetic kidney disease treatment, you can keep your blood sugar levels steady. This will help prevent or slow down kidney damage.
Manage High Blood Pressure: If you have high blood pressure or other health issues that could harm your kidneys, work with your doctor to keep them under control.
Be Careful with Over the Counter Medications: Use over the counter medicines like pain relievers exactly as directed on the label. Some like ibuprofen or naproxen will harm your kidneys if you have kidney problems.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: If you are already at a healthy weight, try to stay active most days. If you need to lose weight, speak to your health care team about the best ways to do it.
Do Not Smoke: Smoking will hurt your kidneys or make existing kidney damage worse. If you smoke, ask your doctor for help to quit. There are support groups, counseling and some medications that can assist you.

By following these tips, you can help take care of your health and prevent more serious issues.

When to See a Doctor?

If you notice signs of kidney problems, see your doctor for proper diabetic kidney disease treatment. If you have diabetes, it is important to get your kidneys checked every year or as your doctor advises. These tests will help make sure your kidneys are healthy and working properly.

Conclusion

Diabetes nephropathy is a condition that harms your kidneys and can lead to kidney failure which can be serious. If your doctor has told you that you have this condition, it is okay to feel scared or sad. But remember, if you catch it early and follow your treatment plan, you can slow down or even stop it from getting worse. Going through treatment can be tough, but your doctor is there to help you. They will answer your questions and work with you to help you feel better and maintain a good quality of life.

Silverline Hospital, the best diabetes hospital in Kerala, is the ideal place to receive top-notch diabetes treatment from professional diabetologists. We offer comprehensive solutions for kidney diseases resulting from diabetes. Our approach not only treats the disease but also includes a complete plan to help you manage it better. With the right care and attention, diabetes can be controlled, allowing you to live a normal and healthy life. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes or notice any symptoms, don’t wait any longer. Visit our hospital for the best diabetes care.