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Diabetes: Kidney problems

Patients with diabetes who have high levels of blood sugars and/or high blood pressure are at increased risk for kidney damage. When you have diabetes, the process of changing food into energy doesn't work well. Sugar builds up in your blood and damages the tiny blood vessels in the kidney. If you have diabetes, you need to get a urine test at least once a year to check for protein in your urine, which is one of the early signs of kidney damage.

To have excellent control of your diabetes, you must pay close attention to your diet, control your portion sizes and get regular exercise. In addition to this, your doctor may prescribe medication that you must take regularly. Some patients must check their blood sugars at home and bring a record of these to each doctor's visit to help monitor how well they are controlling blood sugars between visits.

You can work with your doctor to understand your diabetes and stay healthy. This will help you feel better and lower your chances of having heart disease, a stroke, or other problems.

If you have diabetes, make sure you get regular check-ups that include the following tests:

• Blood pressure check
• Blood test for A1c. This test shows the average blood sugar level for 2 to 3 months.
• Blood test for cholesterol level. This test shows the level of cholesterol, a fat, waxy-like substance, in your blood.
• Eye exam
• Blood and urine tests to check how the kidneys are working

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is when the body does not produce enough insulin. Type 1 diabetes usually is first diagnosed during childhood. Type 2 diabetes is when the body does not respond as it should to insulin. Both adults and children can get type 2 diabetes.

Who is at risk for diabetes?
Almost everyone knows someone who has diabetes. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

• Older age
• Being overweight or obese
• Family history of diabetes
• Having diabetes during a pregnancy. This is called gestational diabetes.
• Higher than normal levels of blood sugar. This is called impaired glucose tolerance or pre-diabetes.
• Not exercising enough

Risk factors for type 1 diabetes are less clear than they are for type 2 diabetes. Family history, genetics, and problems with the body’s system for fighting infection give a higher risk for type 1 diabetes.

This measure shows the percent of patients with diabetes in each practice who had a urine protein test or were diagnosed/treated for kidney disease. A higher number is better.

If your doctor's office is not listed it means there was not enough information available to report this measure.

Why it is important:
Diabetes can cause your kidneys to stop working, and may eventually require dialysis. If protein is found in your urine, medication may help to delay or prevent kidney damage. This test can let you and your doctor know if you need to take steps to keep your kidneys working.

What you and your doctor should do:
Good health requires a partnership. Your doctor cannot do it alone. Your doctor should give you a urine test to check for protein in your urine and talk to you about the results.

How does diabetes affect our community?

• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 8.6% of adults have diabetes in the Kansas City region.
• In 2003, Kansas City (MO) hospital admissions with diabetes as the principal diagnosis resulted in 5,440 days of care provided with hospital charges over $17 million.

Find information and tools to help you manage your diabetes