An estimated 2.4 million Canadians are currently living with diabetes, making these individuals at a higher risk for complications, such as kidney disease. Kidney disease can be caused by diabetes, and can put you at high risk for heart attack or stroke. It may start slowly and progress over a number of years, and in the early stages you might not experience any symptoms. If kidney disease is beginning it means that your kidneys are not functioning at their best. If you do develop chronic kidney disease your diabetes medication may not work as well as it should, or may need to be adjusted by your doctor.

Good diabetes management can prevent or delay the loss of kidney function. The good news is that there are oral medications to lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes in the presence of declining kidney function. Some medications for diabetes that control blood sugar levels can be started and taken at all stages of kidney function.

People with diabetes need to make sure that kidney health is part of the discussion with their doctor. According to a recent survey, 44 per cent of people with diabetes are not having the vital conversations with their doctor about the risk diabetes can have on kidney health.

Below are some questions people with diabetes should ask their doctor in order to learn more about their kidney health:

• What diabetes medications am I currently taking, and are they suitable for my level of kidney function?

• What is my blood pressure target?

• What additional steps can I take to help protect my kidney function?

• What is my blood sugar target?

• What tests do I need for my kidneys? How often do I need these tests?

For more information about how you can protect your kidney health while living with diabetes, visit www.kidney.ca.

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