Why can diabetes cause kidney disease?
Why diabetes can cause kidney disease
Source: UCSF
Diabetes can impact blood circulation within the glomerulus, a part of the kidney’s blood-filtering system.
Here are six steps you can take to prevent diabetic nephropathy.
- Control blood glucose.
- Control blood pressure.
- Control blood cholesterol
- Don’t smoke
- Avoid pain medications that can hurt your kidneys (such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Test urine for kidney function and urine microalbumin/creatinine ratios yearly.
People with diabetes may also have the following risk factors:
- High blood pressure
- Poor glucose control
- A family history of kidney disease
Curious to learn more? 💡
- Explore UCSF's Diabetes Education Online resources on kidney disease
- Download the Diabetes and Kidney Disease infographic from the American Kidney Fund
- Download the National Kidney Foundations' Diabetes and Your Kidneys guide