Diabetes and Kidney Disease

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease. But you can take steps to prevent kidney problems and preserve kidney function. At UMass Memorial Health, a multispecialty team of endocrinologists (hormone gland specialists), nephrologists (kidney specialists) and other experts uses the latest evidence-based treatments to help you feel better and stay as healthy as possible.

Understanding Diabetes and Kidney Disease

Your kidneys play a vital role in maintaining your health. They filter blood, produce urine, control blood pressure, regulate blood chemicals and perform other important functions. But high blood sugar and blood pressure related to diabetes can damage the blood vessels inside your kidneys and affect how they work, a condition called diabetic nephropathy.

Over time, kidney damage can progress to kidney failure. If you have diabetes, get checked regularly for kidney disease. Simple urine and blood tests once a year can detect kidney problems before they get worse. Your care team at UMass Memorial is here to monitor your kidneys and provide recommendations for reducing your risk of complications.

Symptoms of Diabetic Nephropathy

Early stages of kidney disease don’t usually cause symptoms, but as the condition progresses, it can cause: 

• Fatigue
• Foamy urine
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• High blood pressure
• Itchy skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swelling in your ankles
• Unexplained weight gain

Our Treatments and Services for Kidney Disease

Our diabetes specialists work alongside nephrologists to help you protect your kidneys and treat complications of kidney disease. Depending on your needs, we may recommend:

• Lifestyle modifications: Exercise regularly, adopt a healthy diet, don’t smoke and maintain a healthy weight to help keep your kidneys healthy.
• Medication: Your care team may recommend medicine to control your blood pressure, lower glucose levels and help your kidneys work better.
• Hemodialysis: Hemodialysis is a treatment to remove waste products from your body when your kidneys don’t work as they should.
• Kidney transplant: People with end-stage kidney disease may need surgery to replace a failing kidney with a healthy kidney from a donor. Learn more about our kidney transplant services for adults.