General Information About Diabetic Nephropathy
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the permanent kidney damage and failure caused by diabetes disrupting the clusters of tiny blood vessels responsible for filtering waste products in the kidneys.
Persistently high blood sugar exerts a directly toxic effect on kidney cells and increases intravascular pressure, leading to the tearing of the filters (causing protein leakage).
The kidneys can sustain silent damage for years. The earliest and most important finding of the disease is micro-level protein (albumin) leakage in the urine, detected during routine tests.
When the kidneys start failing to eliminate water, swelling (edema) in the eyelids, hands, and ankles begins, along with rising and uncontrollable blood pressure, loss of appetite, and a constant feeling of fatigue.
Diagnosis is established by calculating the kidney's filtering capacity (GFR) using Urea/Creatinine levels in the blood and the Albumin/Creatinine ratio in the urine, which are checked during the routine follow-ups of diabetic patients.
The damage incurred cannot be fully reversed, but its progression can be slowed. Maintaining blood sugar at an ideal level, using kidney-protective blood pressure medications (ACE inhibitors), and following a low-protein/salt-restricted diet are the most vital steps in treatment.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
