Type 2 diabetes is a silent killer for your kidneys. It creeps up quietly – high blood sugar gradually damages the tiny filters in your kidneys – and by the time you notice symptoms, real damage has been done. Now, health charities are warning that diabetes is fuelling a kidney disease crisis in the UK, with transplant waiting lists at their highest level in a decade.
Why does diabetes damage kidneys?
When blood sugar stays high for years, it damages the small blood vessels in your kidneys that filter waste from your blood. This damage is called diabetic nephropathy (nephro = kidney, pathy = disease). At first, you might not feel anything – that’s why diabetes is dangerous. By the time symptoms appear (swelling, tiredness, nausea), significant damage may already have happened.
Read the full article from Daily Mail: Diabetes fuelling kidney disease crisis.
Diabetes is now the leading cause of kidney disease in the developed world. And with obesity and type 2 diabetes spiralling in the UK, more and more people are developing kidney disease as a result. The NHS figures show the number of people waiting for a kidney transplant has risen 10% in just one year – the highest level in a decade.
You can read the full original article from the Daily Mail here: Diabetes is fuelling kidney disease timebomb as transplant list at a high.
Diabetes and kidneys – a growing concern for patients
If you have type 2 diabetes, this is a wake-up call. Your kidneys are at risk, and the longer your blood sugar is uncontrolled, the greater that risk becomes. Regular blood tests are essential – monitoring your kidney function (through eGFR and albuminuria tests) means catching problems early, when you can still take action.
For people already on the transplant waiting list, the rising numbers are both good and bad news. Good, because more people waiting means more public and political pressure to find solutions. Bad, because it means longer waits and more people spending years on dialysis. At MRIKPA, we’re pushing for urgent action on prevention, treatment, and organ donation to address this crisis.
We’re facing a perfect storm: more diabetes, longer waiting lists, and fewer donors stepping forward. This crisis is preventable, but it requires action from patients, doctors, and government. Early management of diabetes can save kidneys. It’s that simple.
– Guy Hill, Chair of MRIKPA
What you can do right now
If you have type 2 diabetes, take it seriously. Control your blood sugar, check your blood pressure regularly, and ask your doctor to test your kidney function at least once a year. Small changes now – managing your weight, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and taking your medications – can make an enormous difference to your kidney health.
If you’re already on dialysis or waiting for a transplant, know that you’re not alone, and there are options available to you. New treatments like semaglutide (discussed in our recent article) are showing promise. And living kidney donation remains one of the best options for long-term kidney health.
Learn more about managing diabetes and kidney health at our diet tips for CKD patients page, or explore healthy living tips. Contact our team at support@mrikpa.org.uk or 07745 242 684 for support and advice.
Source: Daily Mail, July 2024 – read the original article
This article is provided for general information and awareness purposes only and was believed to be accurate at the time of publishing. It is not intended as medical advice – please always consult your doctor or renal team for guidance on your individual circumstances. Images used are for illustration purposes only and may not be medically or editorially accurate. While we take every care, errors can occur. If you spot an inaccuracy, please let us know at support@mrikpa.org.uk.
Source: Daily Mail, July 2024 – read the original article
