Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic Nephropathy | A diabetic must be informed of any possible complications, such as diabetic nephropathy, that may arise as a result of the disease.

Diabetes, in essence, may wreck havoc on a variety of physiological systems and organs, including the kidneys. Diabetic nephropathy begins when the kidneys begin to be compromised, and if not treated, it can lead to early mortality.

The high level of sugar in the blood is problematic for the kidneys and the small blood vessels that make up the organ eventually can be destroyed. It is not understood why some diabetes patients develop nephropathy and others never have any kidney issues resulting from the condition.

Because there are no early symptoms of diabetic nephropathy, a person with diabetes will need to have regular urine tests to discover the complication before it reaches a critical level.

Diabetic Nephropathy

These tests detect proteins in the urine, which are signs that the kidney is not functioning properly. As the kidneys deteriorate, other health issues begin to emerge.

Many patients with nephropathy also have elevated cholesterol as well as high blood pressure, raising the chances of having problems related to the heart.

The most common treatment for diabetes-related nephropathy is a class of drugs known as ACE inhibitors and ARBs, or angiotensin II receptor blockers.These drugs help to reduce the blood pressure, thus lowering the strain that is put on the kidneys. 

In addition, patients are encouraged to lower their fat intake and also remove alcohol from their diet. Limiting high protein consumption and keeping salt intake to a low are two other dietary modifications that will be required. 

Exercise can also assist to improve cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetes Mellitus Complication - Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy, which is kidney disease caused by diabetes, is the leading cause of kidney failure. Nearly one third of diabetic people are likely to develop a complication of diabetic nephropathy.

A diabetic person suffering from diabetes and kidney disease is at higher risk compared to if he or she suffers from kidney disease, alone.

This might happen since a diabetic person is inclined to suffer from other chronic ailments like hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and the thickening of the blood vessel lining.

It is also possible that this person will also possess kidney-related disorders like cystitis (infection of the urinary bladder) and the bladder nerve damage.

Kidney disease found in type-1 diabetes can be distinguished from kidney diseases found in type-2 diabetes. In type 1, the onset of kidney disease is more acute and could happen in the earlier age or in younger patients.

Diabetic Nephropathy

The clear sign and symptoms of the disease will appear obvious after about 15 years of being diagnosed to suffer type-1 diabetes.

While type-2 diabetes, most people are detected to have kidney disease at the stage where they are diagnosed for having diabetes. This is because type-2 diabetes is often detected in the middle or older age of a person who also possesses other chronic illnesses. This kidney disease might have been triggered by such conditions.

Symptoms of diabetic nephropathy

Even though the early stage of diabetic nephropathy is often symptomless but some symptoms may appear as the followings:

• Edema or puffing of the extremities and face.
• Increase of weight.
• Itchiness (end-stage of the kidney disease) and very dry skin.
• Sleepiness (end-stage of the kidney disease).
• Hematuria (blood found in the urine, which is rare).
• Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm due to increased calcium concentration in the blood.
• Muscles convulsion

As the damage of the kidney progresses, the kidneys may not be able to remove the waste from your blood. The waste then accumulates and eventually will reach a poisonous level of a condition known as uremia.

Diabetic Nephropathy

Patients with uremia often show signs of confusion or in a comatose condition. Uremia is aggravated by the presence of hypertension.

Diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy can be established by the presence of protein in the urine. It is recommended to run an urine test every year.

Treatment of diabetic nephropathy

Two necessary actions and considered as most critical in slowing down the progress of diabetic nephropathy is to lower hypertension and maintain control on a steady blood glucose level. The administration of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors might also help the slowing down of the progressive damage.

ACE inhibitors are known and primarily used as an anti-hypertensive drug, but can also be administered to diabetic patients for the prevention of diabetic complications even at a normal level of blood pressure.

If in any case the patient shows some side effects after taking ACE as an inhibitor, it could be replaced by an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker. The failure to hold the progression of kidney damage is indicated by the increasing degree of proteinuria.

Diabetic Nephropathy

In such cases, advanced treatment is needed by means of dialysis or the execution of kidney transplantation as a final attempt.

Diabetic Nephropathy: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention And Treatment Diabetic Diabetes causes diabetic nephropathy, which is a kidney condition.Diabetic nephropathy occurs when there is a lot of inflammation, glucose, and acid waste in the bloodstream, clogging the tiny capillaries that supply the kidneys. The buildup of acid waste will eventually harm kidney cells.

When the kidney cells are damaged or die, you will have a higher risk of kidney failure. The kidneys will get deteriorated faster if you keep eating unhealthy foods such as conventional animal meat or other highly processed foods, drink alcohol, and also smoke cigarettes. Diabetic nephropathy is in fact the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease and chronic kidney failure in the U.S.

1. Symptoms

Patients of both diabetes type 1 and 2 are at risk of diabetic nephropathy.Unfortunately, there are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, but kidney function will deteriorate eventually. Symptoms such as the following may appear later:

- Fatigue

- Frequent hiccups

- Poor appetite

- General ill feeling

- Foaming urine

- Nausea and vomiting

- Weight gain (unintentional)

- Headache

- Swelling of the legs

- Swelling around the eyes (occurs in the mornings)

2. Diagnosis

You can do a test to see if you have diabetic nephropathy or not by looking for albumin or protein in your urine, as urine does not include protein in normal circumstances.Protein may appear in the urine 5 to 10 years prior to the development of other symptoms.

When you have type 1 diabetes and have been living with it for 5 years, you should get a urine test once a year. When you are type 2 diabetic, immediately perform a yearly urine test after being diagnosed. If any doubt occurs in the diagnosis, a biopsy is usually performed.

3. Treatment

Lowering high blood pressure or hypertension can help you avoid worsening renal disease and its risks. ACE inhibitors and ARBs, for example, may be prescribed by your doctor to help you with this.

Diabetic Nephropathy

Please keep in mind, however, that medicines do not provide long-term results! Don't be dependent on drugs. Consume healthy meals that can aid with diabetic nephropathy, such as more vegetables and chicken instead of red meat as a source of protein.

Chicken is a better option for persons with kidney difficulties, according to study.You should also do regular physical activity.

4. Prevention

Prevention is better than treating. You can do this by eating a plant-based diet that includes raw salads and raw vegetable juices. Do an annual checkup with your doctor if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Also, remember to keep an eye on your blood pressure on a frequent basis.