Prevention of Diabetic Nephropathy
Diabetes is a state where the body cannot control the sugar levels in the bloodstream. Over a long period of time, uncontrolled diabetes combined with high blood pressure can lead to kidney damage known as Diabetic Nephropathy. About 25% of diabetic patients eventually develop kidney disease. You can consult urologists in Bangalore if you have any symptoms.
Cause of Diabetic Nephropathy:
The process of digestion creates waste products. Millions of blood vessels in the kidney contain even tinier holes that act as filters. Proteins and RBCs are important for the body and they cannot pass through the filter, thus remain in the blood.
Diabetes can disturb this system. A high level of blood sugar eventually causes the filter to leak, due to which protein moves from blood to the urine and gets excreted. If not treated in the early stage, the kidneys can lose their filtering ability.
So, if you are diabetic, get yourself tested from time to time in a urology hospital in Bangalore.
Symptoms of Diabetic Nephropathy:
Blood Pressure control worsens with time.
Poor appetite, feeling sick and tired.
Swelling in feet due to excess fluid.
Puffed eyes.
Muscle cramps.
Frequent urination.
Skin feels dry and itchy.
A urine test shows the presence of protein in the urine.
Older people have difficulty concentrating.
Abnormality in heartbeat, because of potassium in the blood.
Risk factors for Diabetic nephropathy:
Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at higher risk of Diabetic Nephropathy. Other risk factors include:
Poorly controlled Hyperglycemia i.e high blood sugar.
A history of diabetes or kidney disease in the family.
Poorly controlled Hypertension i.e high blood pressure.
Smoking
High blood cholesterol.
How is Diabetic Nephropathy detected:
There are usually very few or no symptoms in the early stage. So consult a good urologist in Bangalore and they will suggest the tests required to detect any damage in the kidney.
A few tests that are suggested are:
Urine tests- Leakage of protein in urine is one of the earliest indications of Diabetic nephropathy. It indicates that the filter that cleans blood has been damaged.
Urea and electrolytes- Creatinine which is a waste product of muscles is measured. An increase in creatinine indicates that the kidney is not filtering the blood as it should.
HbA1C- HbA1C which is glycated hemoglobin, indicates how much sugar is present in RBCs.
Urologists in Bangalore will look further and perform an ultrasound scan and help with the treatment further.
Complications of Diabetic Nephropathy:
There might be complications over the years or even months sometimes.
A few examples of complications of Diabetic Nephropathy:
Swollen arms and legs due to excess fluid in the body.
Fluid in lungs, high blood pressure.
Increase in potassium in the blood.
Heart diseases leading to stroke.
Anemia
Diarrhea, Erectile dysfunction, and other problems due to damaged blood vessels.
There can be complications in pregnancy for the mother as well as the fetus
Damage to blood vessels in the eye.
End-stage kidney disease can cause irreversible kidney damage, leading to dialysis or kidney transplant.
Prevention of Diabetic Nephropathy:
Treat diabetes on time- Treatment of diabetes may delay or prevent kidney diseases. Treatment of High Blood Pressure- Do not ignore BP or any minor medical conditions and get them treated on time.
Maintain weight- Be physically active and work out at your convenience to maintain your healthy weight. Follow instructions on the medications- Painkillers can lead to kidney damage for diabetic patients, so be very careful while taking medications.
Quit smoking- Smoking cigarettes can damage kidneys further. Counseling and medication can help in quitting.
Treatment available for diabetic nephropathy:
Controlling blood glucose.
Controlling the blood pressure.
Limiting protein intake according to body weight
Controlling creatinine.
Always refer to a urologist in Bangalore for managing kidney diseases.
Diabetic nephropathy carries other diseases along with it like, Microalbuminuria, diabetic retinopathy, end-stage renal disease.
Also, there is a high mortality rate that comes with these diseases.
Consult a urologist in a urology hospital in Bangalore ,before the complications arrive.
