Diabetic nephropathy is a term used to describe kidney-related complications that sometimes occur in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Between 10 – 40 percent of people with diabetes will eventually develop some degree of kidney disease.
How do the kidneys work?
Your kidneys are made up of millions of tiny blood vessels (the glomeruli) that filter your blood to remove waste and excess fluid from your body. The kidneys also control blood pressure, secrete various hormones and keep your bones strong by helping your body use the vitamin D you get from the sun.
How does diabetic kidney disease develop?
Over time, high blood sugar (glucose) levels damage the filters in your kidney, causing them to lose their filtering ability. When this happens, your kidneys cannot clean your blood properly which results in waste building up in your blood. Your body will retain more water and salt than it should, and you may also have protein in your urine. The presence of protein in the urine (microalbuminuria) is one of the first signs of diabetic nephropathy, even before other symptoms appear, and is used as a point of diagnosis. The buildup of waste products in the blood may eventually lead to kidney failure.
What are the symptoms of Diabetic nephropathy?
In the early stages of damage, you are unlikely to have symptoms. In later stage symptoms may be nonspecific and vague, like feeling extra tried, generally unwell, and having less energy. With more severe kidney disease, symptoms may include:
- Worsening blood pressure control
- Protein in the urine
- Swelling of feet, ankles, hands, or puffiness around the eyes
- Needing to pass urine more often than usual
- Reduced need for insulin or diabetes medicine
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Persistent itching and dry skin
- Fatigue
Early treatment may prevent or slow the disease’s progress and reduce the chance of complications. Consult your healthcare provider if you have any signs or symptoms of kidney disease.
How is diabetic kidney disease diagnosed?
Often, the first sign that your kidneys are not working so well is through a routine urine test that assesses how much protein is in your urine. A blood test can also show how well your kidneys are functioning. Regular kidney function screenings with your doctor are a must. Speak to your doctor about when you should be screening for diabetic nephropathy.
How to reduce the risk of kidney disease.
The best way to prevent or delay diabetic nephropathy is by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and treating your diabetes and high blood pressure. The better you keep diabetes and blood pressure under control, the lower the chance of getting kidney disease.
- Monitor and treat your diabetes and your blood pressure – the Dario app can help you keep track by logging your readings for you to review with your doctor.
- Avoid using over-the-counter pain medications like Advil, Aspirin, Ibuprofen and more. Consult your treating staff as to what pain medications are safe for you.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Take regular exercise.
- Stop smoking if you smoke.
- Cut back on alcohol.
https://www.diabetes.org/ diabetes/complications/ kidney-disease-nephropathy
https://www.mayoclinic.org/ diseases-conditions/diabetic-nephropathy/symptoms-causes/
https://cjasn.asnjournals.org/content/12/12/2032
https://patient.info/ diabetes/diabetes-mellitus-leaflet/diabetic-kidney-disease
https://www.kidney.org/ atoz/content/diabetes
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