Do I Have Diabetic Nephropathy?

Do you have a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes?

Do you have diabetes with poorly controlled blood sugar levels?

Do you have diabetes for 20 years or more?

Do you have difficulty controlling your blood pressure?

Do you have swollen ankles and feet or puffiness around your eyes?

Do you have poor appetite, feeling sick or have you lost weight?

Do you have increased need to urinate?

Do you have dry, itchy skin?

Do you have muscle cramps or muscle twitching?

Do you feel extremely tired?

Do you have confusion, difficulty concentrating or trouble sleeping?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy is also known as diabetic kidney disease. It is a medical condition that refers to kidney damage in people with diabetes. The main function of the kidneys is to filter the blood and expel waste products and excess water from the body through urine. One of the main structures of the kidney is a group of blood vessels known as the glomerulus, which acts as a filter. In people with diabetes, high blood sugar levels can damage the glomerulus and disrupt filtration, causing proteins to leak from the blood into the urine.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy is a common complication of diabetes that affects about 25 percent of people with poorly controlled diabetes. It represents a gradual and progressive loss of kidney function due to high blood sugar levels. Kidney damage leads to high blood pressure, which contributes to further damage to the kidney filtration system. A diagnosis is based on your medical history, a physical examination, blood and urine tests, imaging tests, renal function testing and a kidney biopsy. Your doctor may refer you to a nephrologist (a kidney specialist) or an endocrinologist (a diabetes specialist).

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic nephropathy is a medical condition characterized by kidney damage due to diabetes. High levels of blood sugar will over time damage your kidneys. The role of the kidneys is to filter the blood. When they are damaged, waste products and fluid accumulate in your blood instead of leaving your body. Diabetic nephropathy begins long before the first symptoms appear. Therefore, it is extremely important for people with diabetes to have regular screenings for kidney disease. Treatment depends on the severity of the kidney damage. It includes medication, dialysis and a kidney transplant.