When kidneys are working well, the tiny filters in your kidneys, the glomeruli, keep protein inside your body. You need the protein to stay healthy.

High blood glucose and high blood pressure damage the kidneys' filters. When the kidneys are damaged, the protein leaks out of the kidneys into the urine. Damaged kidneys do not do a good job of cleaning out waste and extra fluids. So not enough waste and fluids go out of the body as urine. Instead, they build up in your blood.

An early sign of kidney damage is when your kidneys leak small amounts of a protein called albumin (al-BYOO-min) into the urine.

With more damage, the kidneys leak more and more protein. This problem is called proteinuria (PRO-tee-NOOR-ee-uh). More and more wastes build up in the blood. This damage gets worse until the kidneys fail.

How can I prevent diabetes kidney problems?

• Keep your blood glucose as close to normal as you can. Ask your doctor what blood glucose numbers are healthy for you.
• Keep your blood pressure below 130/80 to help prevent kidney damage. Blood pressure is written with two numbers separated by a slash. For example: 120/70.
• Ask your doctor what numbers are best for you. If you take blood pressure pills, take them as your doctor tells you. Keeping your blood pressure under control will also slow damage to your eyes, heart, and blood vessels.
• If needed, take blod pressure pills that can also slow down kidney damage. Two kinds of pills can help:
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  • ACE (angiotensin [an-gee-oh-TEN-sin] converting enzyme) inhibitor (in-HIB-it-ur)
  • ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker)
     
• Follow the healthy eating plan you work out with your doctor or dietitian. If you already have kidney problems, your dietitian may suggest that you cut back on protein, such as meat.
• Have your kidneys checked at least once a year by having your urine tested for small amounts of protein.
• Have any other kidney tests that your doctor thinks you need.
• See a doctor for bladder or kidney infections right away. You may have an infection if you have these symptoms:
  • pain or burning when you urinate
  • frequent urge to go to the bathroom 
  • urine that looks cloudy or reddish
  • fever or a shaky feeling
  • pain in your back or on your side below your ribs

How can my doctor protect my kidneys during special x-ray tests?

If you have kidney damage, the liquid, called a contrast agent, used for special x-ray tests can make your kidney damage worse. Your doctor can give you extra water before and after the x ray to protect your kidneys. Or your doctor may decide to order a test that does not use a contrast agent.

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