Diabetes and Kidney Disease: What's the Connection? | The Prescription Shop

Did you know that diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure? March is National Kidney Disease Month, and The Prescription Shop is here to help raise awareness in our community about the connection between diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here’s what you should know about the link between these two diseases.

How does diabetes affect the kidneys?
All types of diabetes can damage the filters of your kidneys and eventually lead to CKD. But with type 2 diabetes in particular, the danger of kidney disease is more concerning since adult-onset diabetes often goes undetected for many months or even years. High blood sugar weakens blood vessels in the body, particularly within the kidneys. Over time, the kidneys cannot filter blood effectively and progressive kidney damage occurs.

I’m diabetic. How can I prevent kidney damage?
If you already know that you are diabetic, the key to interesting protecting your kidneys lies in effective blood sugar control. You’ll need to follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes if you have type 2 diabetes. If you have type 1, you must keep your blood sugar balanced with regular insulin.

It’s important to do whatever you can to reduce the burden on your kidneys. That means losing excess weight, checking your blood sugar routinely throughout the day, and avoiding bad habits which can tax the kidneys–like overuse of certain medications and an over-consumption of protein and salt.

An early diagnosis matters.
Whatever you do, keep in mind that early detection is very important when it comes to treating kidney damage and chronic kidney disease. CKD cannot be cured, but it can be managed, and early treatment means you may be able to limit further damage and avoid having dialysis treatments in your future.

This March, we hope you enjoy learning about the steps you can take to better protect your kidneys, especially if you are diabetic. Join the conversation on our Facebook page or stop by the shop today to chat with any of our kind and knowledgeable pharmacists.