Diabetes and Kidney Disease
Kidney disease amongst diabetics is commonly called diabetic nephropathy.
What is diabetic nephropathy?
Nephropathy is a general term for the deterioration of proper functioning in the kidneys. At an advanced level, this is called end-stage renal disease or ESRD. ESRD often stems from diabetes, with diabetes causing just under half of all cases. Diabetic nephropathy can be caused by both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic nephropathy is divided into five stages of deterioration, with the final one being ESRD. It commonly takes over 20 years for patients to reach stage 5.
What are the causes of diabetic nephropathy?
Diabetic nephropathy is directly influenced by hypertension (high blood pressure), and in patients with hypertension acceleration through the stages of diabetic nephropathy may be more rapid.
Is it possible to prevent diabetic nephropathy?
It is possible to slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy through intensive management of the disease and its symptoms. This can include taking medication to lower blood pressure.
How is diabetic nephropathy treated?
Diabetic nephropathy is treated in different ways dependant on:
- Age, overall health, and medical past
- The extent of the disease
- Personal tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- Personal opinion and preference
Like the treatment of diabetes, diet and exercise are intensely important. Strict blood glucose control is also essential. Taking medication to lower blood pressure may be necessary. When a patient initially reaches ESRD the blood is sometimes cleaned with dialysis, or in some cases the kidney may be transplanted.
