National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

03/29/2026

As of March 29, 2026, this account is no longer active.
Please look for our content on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) page and follow along for the latest news and information from NIH!

02/02/2026

Because of a lapse in government funding, new posts and responses will not originate from this account until appropriations are enacted.

04/01/2025

Due to current HHS and NIH restructuring, the information provided on niddk.nih.gov is not being updated and may not be available in the future. Please refer to nih.gov.

Official website of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH is one of the world's foremost medical research centers. An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH is the Federal focal point for health and medical research. The NIH website offers health information for t...

03/31/2025

Are you in a school lunch rut?

Watch for a few fun ideas that'll make your kids excited to eat healthy foods!

Here are some of our nutritious favorites to get you started:
🥕 Carrot and cucumber sticks with hummus
🍎 Apple slices with nut butter
🌾 Whole-grain wraps with lean meat and veggies
🍓 Mixed berries

P.S. Be sure to check your child's school policy about nuts.

03/28/2025

March is National Kidney Month!

Taking charge of your kidney health can feel overwhelming. To help you get started, here are some healthy lifestyle tips. Try just one, or all, to keep your kidneys and yourself healthier for longer.

▪️ Stay connected with your health care team–in-person or using telehealth when available.
▪️ Learn to manage your blood pressure and if you have diabetes, monitor your blood glucose levels.
▪️ Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen and naproxen, and take medicines as prescribed.
▪️ Work with your doctor to develop a nutritious meal plan and aim for a healthy weight.
▪️ Reduce stress and make physical activity part of your daily routine.
▪️ Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
▪️ Take steps to quit smoking.

03/27/2025

Health care professionals know that caregivers are vital members of the care team for patients with diabetes. Dr. Linda Gonder-Frederick of the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia discusses how fear of hypoglycemia can affect caregivers and people with diabetes on the Diabetes Discoveries & Practice blog: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/professionals/diabetes-discoveries-practice/understanding-fear-hypoglycemia-people-diabetes?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=niddk+social+media&utm_term=&utm_content=3efddad9-6b89-4c53-8a24-ef1cdf59497b

03/27/2025

Ever been confused about the difference between a portion and serving when it comes to food? Let's clear it up!

A portion is the amount of food you choose to eat at one time.

A serving is a specific quantity of food that's clearly defined on a product's Nutrition Facts label.

Different products can have different serving sizes. The portion you choose to eat may not always align with the serving size. When in doubt, check the Nutrition Facts label!

03/25/2025

Today is Diabetes Alert Day!

Did you know that you can take action to delay or prevent the development of type 2 diabetes? Check out the following steps:

- Use the NIDDK Diabetes Risk Management Calculator to help assess your risk.
- Talk with your health care professional about creating a diabetes management plan.
- Take steps to lose a modest amount of weight by being physically active and following a healthy eating plan.

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-type-2-diabetes?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=niddk+social+media&utm_term=&utm_content=f8be8862-6a86-4b04-b034-531095b09550&utm_campaign=nkm+2025

03/21/2025

Your health care team can help you create a care plan for managing your kidney disease.

Kidney health tip: Don't miss your health care appointments, even if you are feeling okay.

Check with your health care team to see what your telehealth options are. Options may include general wellness visits, nutrition counseling, mental health counseling, and more.

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/community-health-outreach/national-kidney-month?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=niddk+social+media&utm_term=&utm_content=84a2e136-5a29-4e2f-aaea-8f6fe2d14d45&utm_campaign=nkm+2025

03/20/2025

A group of Clemson University students won the Kidney Development Prize at the 2024 Design by Biomedical Undergraduate Teams (DEBUT) Challenge.

The team’s NephroGuard design is a real-time diagnostic device to quickly detect acute kidney injury in patients following cardiac surgery. The device has been shown to detect kidney injury within hours, rather than the days it can take using traditional methods.

Learn more in the Director's Update: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/meet-director/directors-update/2025-winter/news-around-niddk?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=niddk+social+media&utm_term=&utm_content=8bdb2d3a-a4a5-426a-ba8a-2f6598e855f0

03/19/2025

Since early-stage kidney disease usually has no symptoms, many people don't know they have it until just before their kidneys fail. Don't wait—get your kidneys checked with blood and urine tests.

The sooner you know you have kidney disease, the sooner you can take steps to help manage and slow the progression of CKD and its complications.

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/community-health-outreach/national-kidney-month?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=niddk+social+media&utm_term=&utm_content=6a6439b7-05e6-414a-9d65-303fddfcdfcb&utm_campaign=nkm+2025

03/18/2025

Don't overlook frozen foods when planning healthy and affordable meals. They can help you eat healthier, save time and money, and reduce your food waste.

Frozen foods are
✔️ Packed and frozen at peak time to maximize nutrients
✔️ Convenient for preparing healthy meals
✔️ Budget-friendly