KIDNEY CARE

Diabetic kidney disease is a type of kidney disease caused by diabetes.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. About 1 out of 3 adults with diabetes has kidney disease.1

The main job of the kidneys is to filter wastes and extra water out of your blood to make urine. Your kidneys also help control blood pressure and make hormones that your body needs to stay healthy.

When your kidneys are damaged, they can’t filter blood like they should, which can cause wastes to build up in your body. Kidney damage can also cause other health problems.

Kidney damage caused by diabetes usually occurs slowly, over many years. You can take steps to protect your kidneys and to prevent or delay kidney damage.

What are other names for diabetic kidney disease?

Diabetic kidney disease is also called DKD, chronic kidney disease, CKD, kidney disease of diabetes, or diabetic nephropathy.

What increases my chances of developing diabetic kidney disease?

Having diabetes for a longer time increases the chances that you will have kidney damage. If you have diabetes, you are more likely to develop kidney disease if your

• blood glucose is too high
• blood pressure is too high
• African Americans, American Indians, and
• Hispanics/Latinos develop diabetes, kidney
• disease, and kidney failure at a higher rate
• than Caucasians.

You are also more likely to develop kidney disease if you have diabetes and

• smoke
• don’t follow your diabetes eating plan
• eat foods high in salt
• are not active
• are overweight
• have heart disease
• have a family history of kidney failure