Diabetes and Kidney Failure: 5 Warning Signs & a Pharmacist’s Action Plan to Protect Your Kidneys

Hearing you have diabetes is a lot to take in. Your mind is probably filled with questions, and one of the scariest might be: "Will this hurt my kidneys?"

It's a big worry, and you deserve a straight answer. The truth is, uncontrolled diabetes is the #1 cause of kidney disease. But here’s the most important part: it doesn't have to happen to you.

You are in the driver's seat, and knowledge is your roadmap. By learning to spot the early warning signs and taking a few key actions, you can keep your kidneys safe and healthy for years to come.

As your local pharmacists, we're here to help you navigate. Let's break it down, step-by-step.

What's Inside This Guide:

• Quick Look: How Diabetes Can Affect Your Kidneys

• Heads Up: 5 Quiet Warning Signs of Kidney Trouble

• Your Game Plan: A 5-Step Action Plan to Keep Your Kidneys Safe

• Let's Talk: How We Can Help You on This Journey

Quick Look: How Diabetes Can Affect Your Kidneys

Think of your kidneys as a pair of super-smart coffee filters. Their job is to clean waste out of your blood while keeping all the good stuff (like protein) in.

When your blood sugar is consistently too high, it's like pouring sticky syrup through that delicate filter. Over time, the high sugar can clog and damage the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys. When this happens, the filters can't do their job right, and they start to leak protein into your urine. This is the first sign of diabetic kidney disease.

The good news? You can do a lot to keep this from happening.

Heads Up: 5 Quiet Warning Signs of Kidney Trouble

Kidney disease is sneaky. In the early stages, you probably won't feel anything is wrong. That’s why it’s so important to know these subtle signs.

1. Foamy or Bubbly Urine This is one of the first things you might see. If your urine in the toilet looks foamy (like the bubbles in a bubble bath), it could be a sign that protein is leaking out. It's an easy sign to dismiss, but it's your body's way of telling you the kidney filters might be stressed.

2. swollen Feet and Ankles Are your shoes feeling tight? When your kidneys aren't balancing fluids properly, you can get swelling (called edema) in your feet, ankles, and legs. Some people also notice a little puffiness around their eyes when they wake up.

3. Feeling Tired All the Time If you feel drained and exhausted no matter how much you sleep, it could be a sign. When kidneys don't filter well, toxins can build up in your blood, making you feel constantly weak and tired.

4. Constant Dry, Itchy Skin Your kidneys help balance minerals in your blood. When they're off-kilter, it can cause your skin to become very dry and itchy. If lotions don't seem to help, it's worth mentioning to your doctor.

5. Frequent Muscle Cramps (Especially at Night) Waking up with painful leg cramps? This can happen when your kidneys struggle to balance electrolytes like potassium and calcium.

If you notice any of these signs, don't panic, but do talk to your doctor. Catching things early is the key!

Your Game Plan: A 5-Step Action Plan to Keep Your Kidneys Safe

Knowing the risks is one thing; taking action is what truly protects you. This simple, 5-step plan is your roadmap to kidney health.

Step 1: Get Your Blood Sugar in a Healthy Range This is your #1 priority. Keeping your blood sugar controlled is the most powerful way to protect your kidneys' delicate filters.

• Your Move: Take your medications as prescribed and monitor your blood sugar. We can help you understand your numbers and what they mean!

Step 2: Keep Your Blood Pressure in Check High blood pressure is the second biggest threat to your kidneys. The goal for most people with diabetes is a blood pressure below 130/80.

• Your Move: Check your blood pressure at home. Many pharmacies (including ours!) have a machine you can use. Let's talk about your readings.

Step 3: Use Modern, Kidney-Protective Medications Today, there are amazing medications that do two jobs at once: they lower your blood sugar AND give your kidneys extra protection. These include classes of drugs like SGLT2 inhibitors (like Jardiance) and GLP-1 agonists (like Ozempic).

• Your Move: Ask us for a medication review! We can look at everything you're taking and work with your doctor to make sure you're on the best, most protective drugs available.

Step 4: Become a Salt Detective Too much salt makes your kidneys work overtime and can raise your blood pressure.

• Your Move: Start reading food labels. Avoid processed foods like canned soups, frozen dinners, and fast food. Flavor your food with herbs, spices, garlic, and lemon juice instead of the salt shaker.

Step 5: Don't Skip Your Annual Kidney Check-Up Because kidney disease is silent, the only way to catch it early is with two simple tests your doctor should order every year:

• A Urine Test (UACR): Checks for that leaky protein.

• A Blood Test (eGFR): Measures how well your kidneys are filtering.

• Your Move: Make sure you get these tests done annually. We're happy to help you understand your results.

You've Got This—And We've Got Your Back

A diabetes diagnosis can feel like a lot, but it doesn't have to lead to kidney failure. You have the power to protect your health, and you don't have to do it alone.

Think of us as part of your team. Your local pharmacist is your most accessible health expert. We're here to answer your questions, simplify your medications, and cheer you on.

Don't wait. Take the first step to protect your kidneys today. Come in and chat with us—we're here to help.