In diabetic patients, high blood sugar levels over a long period of time will damage the blood vessels in the kidneys. Kidney function will be damaged, weakening the ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the body, according to the health website Medical News Today (UK).

Warning signs of kidney disease that people with diabetes easily ignore include:

Foamy urine

One of the earliest signs of diabetic kidney disease is high levels of protein in the urine. This causes the urine to appear foamy or bubbly. This is a sign that the kidneys are not filtering properly. However, many people with diabetes will consider foamy urine to be normal, which can delay the detection of kidney disease.

Frequent urination at night

Diabetes can cause frequent urination, especially at night. This is because when the kidneys are damaged, their waste filtering function is impaired, leading to more frequent urination. However, when people notice frequent urination symptoms, they attribute it to other factors such as drinking a lot of water before bed or age.

Swollen feet and hands

Diabetic kidney disease often leads to a buildup of waste and fluid in the body, leading to swelling, especially in the feet and ankles. In some cases, swelling can also occur in the hands.

This swelling is a sign that the kidneys' ability to balance fluid and sodium in the body has been impaired. However, people with the condition may easily think that this swelling is due to weight gain.

Leg cramps

Frequent leg cramps, especially at night, can be a symptom of kidney problems in diabetes. However, people often blame it on aging.

Cramps occur because of an imbalance of electrolytes such as calcium and potassium. The levels of these minerals are regulated by the kidneys. Impaired kidney function can easily cause an imbalance of these important minerals in the blood.

Fatigue and anemia

When kidney function is reduced, waste products build up in the blood, leading to fatigue. In addition, the kidneys also secrete the hormone erythropoietin, which is essential for the production of red blood cells. Damaged kidneys will cause erythropoietin levels to decrease, resulting in anemia, which causes pale skin and weakness, according to Medical News Today .