Managing kidney disease if you have diabetes

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Here are some tips for managing kidney disease if you have diabetes:

·         Talk with your doctor or nurse about what your target blood sugar level should be, and when and how often you need to check it.

·         Test your blood sugar as often as directed by your healthcare provider. The A1C blood test tells you what your average blood sugar level was over the past two to three months. Have this test done every three months (or as often as your doctor suggests) to see if you have control over your blood sugar.   

·         Maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight. Aim for 150 minutes of activity every week (30 minutes, 5 times per week), assess what you are eating and improve food choices. See a dietitian if you need help with this.

·         Don’t smoke.

·         Control your cholesterol through proper food choices and if you are on medication, make sure you take it as directed by your doctor.

·         Manage your blood pressure. People with kidney disease who also have diabetes should aim for a blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg.

·         Infections in people with diabetes tend to progress rapidly. If left untreated, many infections, especially urinary tract infections, can further damage the kidneys. People with diabetes must take special care to have infections treated immediately.

·         Make sure to have your kidney function tested annually (or as often as your doctor suggests) by having blood and urine tests.