Protecting Your Kidneys: What Every Black Family Should Know About Diabetes & Hypertension

Hey family,

We talk a lot about diabetes and high blood pressure, but we don’t always talk about what they can do to your kidneys. And in our community, kidney disease is hitting harder and earlier than it should.

Your kidneys filter your blood, remove waste, and help control your blood pressure. When diabetes and hypertension go unchecked, they slowly damage these vital organs.

Warning signs to watch for:

• Swelling in your legs, ankles, or face
• Feeling tired all the time
• Changes in urination (foamy, dark, or less frequent)
• High blood pressure that’s hard to control

How to protect your kidneys:

• Keep blood pressure under 130/80
• Manage blood sugar if you have diabetes
• Stay hydrated (water is your friend)
• Avoid excessive NSAID pain meds (like ibuprofen)
• Get annual kidney function tests

At Newlands Philly Health, we regularly screen for kidney issues and help you protect them before problems start.

Don’t wait until your body screams. Let’s take care of it while it’s still whispering.

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