Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney disease. If you have diabetes, you can reduce your risk of kidney damage by managing your blood sugar levels.
Since early kidney damage has few symptoms, it is important for people with diabetes to get regular checkups of their kidney function. Tests to monitor your kidney function include blood and urine tests.
Other things you can do on your own to keep your kidneys healthy are quitting smoking if you smoke, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
Your doctor may also recommend medications to protect your kidneys, such as ACE inhibitors, which are particularly effective in people with diabetes that have developed kidney failure.