Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, which then can't filter out the body's waste. In some people, the kidneys stop working completely. These people require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dialysis is a treatment that eliminates wastes in the blood. The good news is that diabetic complications can often be prevented by taking care of yourself, following your doctor's orders and controlling your blood sugar level.
Many resources are available for people with diabetes.
This handout was developed by the American Academy of Family Physicians in cooperation with the American Diabetes Association. This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor. Visit familydoctor.org for more useful information on this and many other health-related topics. Permission is granted to print and photocopy this material for nonprofit educational uses.