Affect of diabetes on kidneys

Kidney is an organ that eliminates waste from the body and cleans the blood. Therefore its health is very important. Glomeruli are the tiny filters in the kidneys that keep protein inside the body in order to stay healthy. The high blood sugar and blood pressure damage these filters, ducts (which collect and help in excretion) and blood vessels. Damaged kidneys cannot properly clean and filter out wastes and extra fluid. The blood vessels start to shrink and stiffen obstructing blood circulation. The tiny filters start to die which disables normal kidney function. The toxic materials like blood urea, nitrogen and creatinine are not excreted and instead build up inside. This leads to gradual kidney failure. In addition, this damage also causes protein (albumin) to leak out of the kidneys into the urine. Hence, the protein content decreases in the blood whereas the water content is more. This is called Nephrotic Syndrome. The increased water content leaks into the body and causes it to swell. Normally, albumin keeps the water in the blood and then removes it. But when albumin decreases, the water moves to the tissues rather than staying in the blood. This also leads to kidney failure.
Other than Nephrotic syndrome, patients with kidney damage can suffer from acute or chronic renal failure and even death. Moreover, in kidney failure, our body fails to excrete excess calcium from the body. This results in softening of the bones causing body aches and pains and may cause fits, tetany, fractures and ultimately the patient has to be put on dialysis (which is an expensive procedure). Patient can also suffer from osteoporosis, etc. if proper treatment is not done.
Kidney damage due to diabetes occurs so gradually and usually with minor symptoms that some patients may not even know until they experience chronic renal failure. It is not until a urine test is done that one can know about the protein leakage. Once damage is done to the kidneys, you cannot completely cure it. Instead it can be slowed or stopped from worsening. No matter if a diabetic is or is not suffering from kidney damage, he should control his sugar and blood pressure in order to avoid complications. A blood and urine test at least once a year can tell you how well your kidneys are working. Do not wait for signs of kidney damage for the tests.
It is important that the patient recognizes the fact that he should look after himself. Have a proper healthy diet and control their weight. If a diabetic is suffering from kidney problems the doctor or dietitian recommend a special renal diet that includes less proteins (like meat) and more fiber and complex carbohydrates. Cutting down on protein is necessary as it can lead to kidney failure.
Lastly, diabetic women are vulnerable therefore more prone to infections (like Urinary Tract Infection) if cleansing of genital area is not done properly. Repeated occurrence of infections in diabetics can damage the kidneys.