How Does Diabetes Impact My Kidney Health?

Diabetes continues to be one of the most common causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the United States. The good news is that with the right monitoring and management, it’s possible to slow that damage and preserve your kidney function for years to come. Dr. Sadeddin and his team at Texas Advanced Renal Health are committed to helping our valued patients in McKinney and the surrounding communities stay ahead of complications and protect their kidney health every step of the way.

How Does Diabetes Affect the Kidneys?

Your kidneys contain millions of tiny filtering units called nephrons, each threaded with microscopic blood vessels. These vessels help filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. But elevated sugar levels in the blood from uncontrolled diabetes can, over time, damage the walls of these vessels, causing them to thicken, scar, and lose their ability to filter effectively. As more nephrons are damaged, the kidneys gradually decline in function. This type of kidney damage is often referred to as diabetic kidney disease, a leading cause of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.

Elevated blood sugar levels can also damage the nerves that control bladder function, a complication called diabetic neuropathy, which can lead to urinary retention. This raises the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which can escalate quickly in patients with diabetes and spread to the kidneys, leading to further damage.

What Are the Warning Signs of Kidney Disease?.

Early kidney disease rarely causes noticeable symptoms, which is why we encourage patients with diabetes to keep up with routine lab testing as recommended by their care team.

When symptoms appear, they often include the following:

• Foamy or bubbly urine, which can indicate protein leaking through damaged filters
• Swelling in the hands, feet, ankles, or around the eyes
• Chronic fatigue or difficulty concentrating
• Changes in urination frequency or output
• High blood pressure that is increasingly difficult to control

We recommend that patients with diabetes undergo regular kidney screening, including urine tests to check for protein (albumin) and blood tests to measure kidney function. These tests can often detect kidney damage years before any symptoms appear.

Slowing the Progression of Diabetic Kidney Disease

If you have diabetes and kidney disease, it’s important to work closely with your primary care team and kidney specialists at Texas Advanced Renal Health. The following are also things you can do to safeguard your kidney health:

• Control Blood Sugar Levels: Keeping your blood glucose levels within a healthy range is the single most important thing you can do to protect your kidneys.
• Manage Your Blood Pressure: High blood pressure can accelerate kidney damage in patients with diabetes. Certain medications, particularly ACE inhibitors and ARBs, help lower blood pressure while also protecting your kidneys.
• Follow a Kidney-Friendly Diet: Limiting sodium, phosphorus, and potassium as needed helps reduce the burden on the kidneys and supports your overall health.
• Monitor Your Protein Intake: Excess dietary protein increases the workload on already-stressed kidneys. Our team is happy to make personalized recommendations to support your kidney health.
• Address Urinary Tract Infections: Don’t wait. Infections can escalate fast in the presence of high blood sugar, and delaying treatment puts the kidneys at risk.
• Limit NSAIDs: Pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen can cause strain and worsen kidney function in patients with diabetes-related symptoms.

Kidney Care for Patients with Diabetes Near Me in McKinney, TX

If you have diabetes or are experiencing signs of kidney disease, contact your kidney specialists at Texas Advanced Renal Health to schedule a consultation. Dr. Sadeddin and his patient-centered team will create a personalized treatment plan to help manage your concerns and keep your kidneys as healthy as possible for as long as possible. We invite you to call us at 972-548-4833 or visit us online to schedule your appointment today!