First, the doctor needs to find out if your diabetes has caused the injury. Other diseases can cause kidney damage. Your kidneys will work better and last longer if you:
- Control your blood sugar
- Control your blood pressure
- Get treatment for urinary tract infections
- Correct any problems in your urinary system
- Avoid any medicines that may damage the kidneys (especially over-the-counter pain medications)
If no other problems are found, your doctor will try to keep your kidneys working as long as possible. The use of high blood pressure-lowering drugs, so-called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been shown to help slow the loss of kidney function.
What is an end-stage renal failure in patients with diabetes?
End-stage renal failure, or kidney failure, occurs when your kidneys are no longer able to support you in a reasonably healthy state, and dialysis or transplantation is needed. This happens when your kidneys function is below 10 percent or your body can no longer remove fluids or control potassium levels.
