Many diabetics worry that kidney disease is inevitable, but it's not.

People with diabetes tend to overwork their kidneys when they have high blood glucose because kidneys work hard to flush out the excess sugar. This process is how uncontrolled diabetes can lead to kidney problems.

Injury to delicate internal structures, and the tiny blood vessels inside the kidneys, may cause the filters to leak. This allows albumin, a protein, to pass into your urine.

A small amount of leaking albumin is called microalbuminuria. This development is the beginning of nephropathy, or kidney disease.

When your kidneys are continually overworked for a number of years, larger amounts of albumin are released into your urine. High blood pressure usually goes hand in hand with this condition.

Eventually, your kidneys become unable to keep up with their workload, and waste products build up in your blood. Your kidneys will finally stop working, and kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant will be required to remove the toxins from your body.

Here's what you can do to prevent kidney disease:

* Do your best to get your blood glucose levels nearer to normal.
* Exercise regularly
* Choose healthy meals mdash; cut back on salty foods and protein
* Drink plenty of water every day
* Think positively about your health and future