March 11 is World Kidney Day, an event intended to raise awareness of the importance of prevention and early detection of kidney disease.

This year, World Kidney Day focuses on diabetes. Among persons with diabetes, interventions to control blood sugar and blood pressure reduce the risk for developing kidney disease or slow its progression.

Diabetes and high blood pressure are common causes of kidney disease. However, most people with kidney disease are not aware of their condition. If you have diabetes, talk to your doctor about getting tested for kidney disease, and keep your kidneys healthy by controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure.

Diabetes FAQs

If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, you could have chronic kidney disease. Because chronic kidney disease often develops slowly and with few symptoms, many people with the condition do not realise they are sick until the disease is advanced and requires dialysis.

Chronic kidney disease is the loss of kidney function, resulting from physical injury or a disease that damages the kidneys, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Diabetes mellitus diet

How Can You Prevent or Control Kidney Disease?
Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease. If you have diabetes, controlling blood sugar and blood pressure reduces the risk of developing kidney disease or may slow its progression.

High blood sugar can cause damage to the kidneys. If you have diabetes, control your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, to prevent or delay kidney failure. People with diabetes should have an A1C test, which measures the average level of blood sugar over the past three months, at least twice a year, but ideally up to four times a year.

Signs of Diabetic Eye Disease

High blood pressure can also damage your kidneys. If your blood pressure is high, check it regularly and get it under control to make sure your kidneys remain healthy. Talk to your doctor about medicines to lower your blood pressure.

Helping to prevent type 2 diabetes is another important step in preventing kidney disease. Recent studies have shown that overweight people at higher risk for type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of the disease by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight, or 10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person. You can do that by eating healthier and getting 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week.

Diabetes: Foot Problems

Injuries and Infections Also Can Damage Your Kidneys
Infections – such as those affecting the bladder and kidney – can damage your kidneys, too. Call your health care provider if you have any of these signs of bladder infection:

• Cloudy or bloody urine
• Pain or burning when you urinate
• An urgent need to urinate often

Dos and don`ts for a pregnant diabetic woman

Also, speak with your health care provider if you have any of these signs of kidney infections:

• Back pain
• Chills
• Fever

Text courtesy: www.cdc.gov