Diabetic Nephropathy - About Diabetic Nephropathy
Kidney Health Care - David Mangusan Jr., PTRP
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Diabetic nephropathy is a type of kidney disease that occurs because of diabetes complications. The condition affects both kidneys.
The cause of diabetic nephropathy is not fully understood. However, experts believe that uncontrolled high blood sugar results in kidney damage. High blood pressure, which sometimes occurs with too high blood sugar, further increases the damage to the kidneys.
It is important to know, however, that not all people who have diabetes get the disease.
Symptoms
Just like chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic nephropathy has no early symptoms. It can be silent for many years. As the disease progresses, kidney function may begin to decline and symptoms appear. Symptoms of the condition may include:
• Fatigue
• Foamy urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Poor appetite
• Swelling of legs due to accumulation of fluid
Proteinuria, which is the presence of proteins in the urine, can be one indicator of kidney damage. Normally, proteins such as albumin do not seep out of the nephrons—the tiny filtering units in the kidneys. When these structures are damaged, proteins can now pass through and be mixed with urine. Albumin can be detected in urine analysis. Other tests may be recommended by your doctor to confirm diagnosis or rule out other health problems.
Treatment
The goals of treatment for diabetic nephropathy are to prevent complications and keep kidney damage from progressing. This may include controlling high blood pressure and high blood sugar.
The doctor would likely prescribe antihypertensive drugs if the patient has high blood pressure. Keeping normal blood sugar is also necessary. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating the right diet and performing regular exercises may help keep your blood sugar levels controlled.
It is important to ask your doctor about activities or exercises that you can perform. Ask about what things you can do when your blood sugar suddenly rises or goes down.
References:
Diabetic nephropathy. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000494.htm. Accessed on June 10, 2010.
Kidney Disease of Diabetes. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kdd/index.htm. Accessed on June 10, 2010
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Page Last Revised: December 7, 2010, 2010
The cause of diabetic nephropathy is not fully understood. However, experts believe that uncontrolled high blood sugar results in kidney damage. High blood pressure, which sometimes occurs with too high blood sugar, further increases the damage to the kidneys.
It is important to know, however, that not all people who have diabetes get the disease.
Symptoms
Just like chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic nephropathy has no early symptoms. It can be silent for many years. As the disease progresses, kidney function may begin to decline and symptoms appear. Symptoms of the condition may include:
• Fatigue
• Foamy urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Poor appetite
• Swelling of legs due to accumulation of fluid
Proteinuria, which is the presence of proteins in the urine, can be one indicator of kidney damage. Normally, proteins such as albumin do not seep out of the nephrons—the tiny filtering units in the kidneys. When these structures are damaged, proteins can now pass through and be mixed with urine. Albumin can be detected in urine analysis. Other tests may be recommended by your doctor to confirm diagnosis or rule out other health problems.
Treatment
The goals of treatment for diabetic nephropathy are to prevent complications and keep kidney damage from progressing. This may include controlling high blood pressure and high blood sugar.
The doctor would likely prescribe antihypertensive drugs if the patient has high blood pressure. Keeping normal blood sugar is also necessary. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating the right diet and performing regular exercises may help keep your blood sugar levels controlled.
It is important to ask your doctor about activities or exercises that you can perform. Ask about what things you can do when your blood sugar suddenly rises or goes down.
References:
Diabetic nephropathy. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000494.htm. Accessed on June 10, 2010.
Kidney Disease of Diabetes. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kdd/index.htm. Accessed on June 10, 2010
[Top of Page]
Page Last Revised: December 7, 2010, 2010
