New insights reveal that diabetic kidney damage often develops without symptoms, stressing the importance of regular tests to prevent advanced disease in high-risk groups, especially in India and the US.
Diabetes can damage far more than blood sugar levels, and one of the most overlooked targets is the kidney. In a Greater Kashmir opinion piece, the writer warned that diabetic kidney disease often develops without obvious warning signs, meaning a person can have serious harm long before feeling ill. That silence is what makes the condition so dangerous: by the time swelling, fatigue or nausea appear, the disease may already be advanced.
The concern is especially significant in India. The Greater Kashmir article cited a recent analysis of Indian studies suggesting that about 44% of people with type 2 diabetes may have diabetic kidney disease. Health authorities say that this is why testing matters more than waiting for symptoms. The US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says two checks are central: urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, which looks for protein leakage into the urine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, which measures how well the kidneys are filtering.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says people with diabetes or high blood pressure should be tested regularly for chronic kidney disease because early kidney damage can be detected through urine and blood tests before it causes noticeable problems. The NHS also advises that the ACR test should be done as soon as diabetes is diagnosed and then at least annually, or more often if results are raised.
Guidelines from the NIDDK and the American Diabetes Association support that approach, saying annual screening helps identify kidney disease early enough to slow its progress. The Greater Kashmir article said tighter blood sugar and blood pressure control, kidney-protective medicines in some patients, and attention to other cardiovascular risks can all help preserve kidney function. The clear message from the piece and the wider guidance is simple: do not wait for swollen feet or breathlessness before checking the kidneys.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
