Tap on the icons to learn about ways you can protect your kidneys with diabetes.
Maintain good blood sugar control
Prioritize your sleep
Manage high blood pressure
Take medications as recommended
Exercise on a regular basis
Monitor your kidney health
Eat a nutritious diet
Make a plan to quit smoking
Manage your weight
Maintain good blood sugar control
When you have diabetes, it can damage the small blood vessels within your kidneys. The key to preventing this damage is to manage your blood glucose (or blood sugar) by taking your medications and eating a nutritious diet that supports kidney health.
Make a plan to quit smoking
Smoking makes your kidneys work harder to filter waste and reduces their ability to get the oxygen and nutrients they need to function. It also increases your risk of kidney disease, especially if you have diabetes.
Prioritize your sleep
Not only can diabetes and high blood pressure interrupt your sleep, but researchers have also found that not getting good rest may cause kidney disease to progress more quickly.
Monitor your kidney health
Being informed about your kidney function is an important part of protecting them. This means keeping your doctors’ appointments and asking if additional testing is needed. Both urine tests (such as urinalysis) and blood tests can be used to determine the health of your kidneys and whether they’re functioning correctly.
Eat a nutritious diet
The foods you eat also play a central role in managing diabetes and in preventing kidney disease. This may mean focusing more on eating lean proteins, healthy fats, and high-fiber foods, as well as limiting carbohydrates. You may also be asked to limit salt and foods containing minerals like phosphorus or potassium.
Exercise on a regular basis
Exercise can help lower blood pressure, which is a key contributor to kidney disease. It can even reduce the risk of heart disease, support weight management, lower blood sugar levels, and decrease inflammation — all of which play a role in preserving kidney health.
Manage high blood pressure
When you have hypertension or high blood pressure, this puts added stress on your kidneys and increases your risk of developing kidney disease. Make sure you are taking any prescribed blood pressure medications.
Manage your weight
Scientists have found that CKD progresses more rapidly in people who have obesity than in those who do not. Losing weight also improves your insulin sensitivity, improves your blood pressure, reduces inflammation, and lessens the stress placed on your kidneys.
Take medications as recommended
Medication can help control your blood sugar, manage high blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and, ultimately, protect your kidneys. Taking your medication as prescribed is the best way to stay healthy.
[DI-3431] Protecting Your Kidneys With Diabetes: A Visual Guide
MyHealthTeam
Created on February 27, 2026
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Transcript
Tap on the icons to learn about ways you can protect your kidneys with diabetes.
Maintain good blood sugar control
Prioritize your sleep
Manage high blood pressure
Take medications as recommended
Exercise on a regular basis
Monitor your kidney health
Eat a nutritious diet
Make a plan to quit smoking
Manage your weight
Maintain good blood sugar control
When you have diabetes, it can damage the small blood vessels within your kidneys. The key to preventing this damage is to manage your blood glucose (or blood sugar) by taking your medications and eating a nutritious diet that supports kidney health.
Make a plan to quit smoking
Smoking makes your kidneys work harder to filter waste and reduces their ability to get the oxygen and nutrients they need to function. It also increases your risk of kidney disease, especially if you have diabetes.
Prioritize your sleep
Not only can diabetes and high blood pressure interrupt your sleep, but researchers have also found that not getting good rest may cause kidney disease to progress more quickly.
Monitor your kidney health
Being informed about your kidney function is an important part of protecting them. This means keeping your doctors’ appointments and asking if additional testing is needed. Both urine tests (such as urinalysis) and blood tests can be used to determine the health of your kidneys and whether they’re functioning correctly.
Eat a nutritious diet
The foods you eat also play a central role in managing diabetes and in preventing kidney disease. This may mean focusing more on eating lean proteins, healthy fats, and high-fiber foods, as well as limiting carbohydrates. You may also be asked to limit salt and foods containing minerals like phosphorus or potassium.
Exercise on a regular basis
Exercise can help lower blood pressure, which is a key contributor to kidney disease. It can even reduce the risk of heart disease, support weight management, lower blood sugar levels, and decrease inflammation — all of which play a role in preserving kidney health.
Manage high blood pressure
When you have hypertension or high blood pressure, this puts added stress on your kidneys and increases your risk of developing kidney disease. Make sure you are taking any prescribed blood pressure medications.
Manage your weight
Scientists have found that CKD progresses more rapidly in people who have obesity than in those who do not. Losing weight also improves your insulin sensitivity, improves your blood pressure, reduces inflammation, and lessens the stress placed on your kidneys.
Take medications as recommended
Medication can help control your blood sugar, manage high blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and, ultimately, protect your kidneys. Taking your medication as prescribed is the best way to stay healthy.