Diabetes and kidney disease
Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here are steps you can take to keep your diabetes under control and keep your kidneys healthy.
Up Next: Detect and manage kidney disease
Know Your Kidneys
Know life's possibilities. Healthy kidneys make them happen.
Know how to prevent kidney disease. Learn how to prevent.
Know how to manage your kidney disease. Learn how to manage.
Know what your kidneys do
Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs near the middle of your back, one on either side of your spine, just below your ribcage. Your kidneys filter all the blood in your body many times a day to remove extra fluid and waste. This extra fluid and waste makes up your urine (pee).
Your kidneys do many other important jobs too, such as help control your blood pressure and keep your bones healthy. You need at least one healthy kidney to keep your body working the way it should.
Know about kidney disease
Almost everyone knows someone with kidney disease. One in seven Americans has kidney disease.
Kidney disease means your kidneys are permanently damaged and do not work as they should. This lets extra fluid and waste flow back into your bloodstream instead of leaving your body as urine. There is no cure for kidney disease, and you cannot reverse kidney damage. If your kidneys stop working, which is called kidney failure, you will need dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive.
Take some time to get to know them and protect them
Don't wait for symptoms to take action. By the time you feel it, it can be badly damaged.
Diabetes is the number one cause of kidney disease.
High blood pressure is the number two cause of kidney disease.
The only way to know if you have kidney disease is to get blood and urine tests.
There are kidney disease treatments, and new research offers hope.
Know how to protect your kidneys
Most people with kidney disease do not know they have it because they do not have any symptoms until their kidneys are badly damaged. When you get to know and protect your kidneys, you pave the way for a longer, healthier life.
There are steps you can take to protect your kidneys today. Know what you can do.
Protect your kidneys
Most Americans aren't even aware they have kidney disease.
Why? You won't feel symptoms until your kidneys are badly damaged. For instance, almost half of all kidney failure cases are caused by diabetes, but you can't feel it if diabetes is harming your kidneys.
View and share guides
View and share our guides to help you prevent and manage kidney disease.
Talk with your doctor today about prevention and treatment
Download a doctor discussion guide to learn how to talk with your doctor about kidney disease, including questions to ask about how to prevent or slow down kidney disease.
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Learn about preventing and managing kidney disease
Fight kidney disease. Live healthier lives.
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