Diabetes and Kidney Disease  

Diabetes makes your body less able to use the foods you eat as sources of energy and in turn causes glucose (blood sugar) to build up in your blood. Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can damage blood vessels and kidneys.

Having diabetes is the most common reason for needing dialysis or a kidney transplant.  Patients with diabetes should have their kidney function measured at least once a year with appropriate blood and urine tests. Always visit your healthcare provider as scheduled.

By controlling your diabetes, you can maintain a healthy blood glucose level and slow or prevent kidney damage.

Follow your diet

Diabetics require a special diet. Work closely with your healthcare team to design a meal plan that is right for you. You may need to:

• Eat less protein.
• Drink less fluid.
• Limit sodium (salt) intake.
• Eat foods that are low in phosphorus and potassium. 
• Stay away from or reduce doses of certain medicines that affect or are processed by the kidneys.

Take insulin and diabetes medicine as directed

• Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use glucose. You may give yourself insulin to increase your body’s supply. You may need to take other medicines to help your body release more insulin or use insulin better.
• If you have kidney disease, the stage of your kidney disease can reduce the amount of insulin your body needs.  Your insulin injections or other medicine may need to be adjusted. Talk with your healthcare provider if your blood glucose level is often too low. Monitor your blood glucose with a meter as directed by your healthcare provider.
• Controlling high blood pressure is also very important. Taking a blood pressure medicine called an ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor, or an ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker) helps people with diabetes and high blood pressure reduce the risk of getting kidney disease, or help control existing kidney disease.
• Controlling other risk factors for kidney disease and diabetes will also help slow progression of kidney disease. Smokers should quit smoking as soon as possible. Limiting alcohol consumption will help slow kidney disease. Maintaining a healthy body weight and getting regular activity are also important. 

Stay active

 Exercise helps the body use glucose. For best results:

• Talk with your healthcare provider before starting a fitness program.
• Ask your healthcare provider how often you should exercise and for how long.
• Your healthcare provider may be able to suggest activities that will help you feel your best.
• Eat 1 to 2 hours before you exercise. 
• Check your blood sugar right before you exercise to see if it's safe to exercise at that time.
• When exercising, have a pack of diabetes supplies and snacks close at hand. These snacks can help prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
• Always wear a medic alert necklace, bracelet, or information tag.

© 2000-2019 The StayWell Company, LLC. 800 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. This information has been modified by your health care provider with permission from the publisher.