Early Warning Signs of Kidney Disease in Diabetes Patients: Don't Ignore These Subtle Symptoms

Kidney disease is one of the most common complications seen in people with diabetes. Unfortunately, most patients miss the earliest signs. This is because kidney damage doesn’t start with dramatic symptoms. “In early-stage kidney disease, symptoms are usually minimal or vague, such as slight swelling, mild fatigue, or foamy urine due to protein leakage, explains Dr Harsha Kumar H N, Senior Consultant – Nephrology & Transplant Physician, Aster RV Hospital, Bangalore. According to Dr Kumar, fluid retention is often the first red flag. “When your kidneys can’t get rid of extra fluid, it starts building up. Mild swelling around your feet or eyes is an early sign of kidney damage,” he says. Urine also gives many clues. “Foamy or bubbly urine means protein leakage. Frequent urination at night, dark or tea-coloured urine, or reduced urine output should not be ignored. If you see these signs, consult a kidney specialist before it gets worse.” Constant tiredness, weakness, or aheaviness in the lower backcan also indicate early kidney strain. “Even slightly rising blood pressure should be taken seriously because kidneys play a key role in regulating it,” the nephrologist tells indianexpres.com. But how can one be sure that the diabetes has now started affecting the kidneys? Dr Kumar stresses the importance of routine screening. “A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) is often the earliest indicator of kidney damage,” he says. “An eGFR blood test tells us how well the kidneys filter waste. Every diabetic should get both tests at least once a year.” Monitoring blood pressure is just as critical because “high BP both causes and worsens kidney disease.”