Diabetic nephropathyDiabetic nephropathy is a complication of diabetes which affects the kidneys. The most common is urinary tract infection. The kidneys affected by diabetes tend to look abnormal under the microscope. It shows up with scarring and swelling in the filtering elements. This damage to the filtering elements causes protein to leak into the urine. Over time the high blood sugar levels can damage your kidneys. The kidneys are filters that clean the blood. If they are damaged, waste and fluids will build up in your blood instead of leaving your body. The kidneys are essential organs: they filter and eliminate the waste products of metabolism they have a central role in controlling blood pressure and fluid balance in the body They produce the key hormone, erythropoietin, which stimulates the bone marrow to manufacture red blood cells. People with very poor kidney function require some form of artificial kidney support (dialysis) or a kidney transplant. Because the kidneys have a central role in controlling blood pressure, it's common for people with diabetic kidney disease to have raised blood pressure. High blood pressure accelerates the decline in kidney function in nephropathy in other words the two problems multiply each others effect. Symptoms of Diabetic nephropathyThere are no symptoms of diabetic nephropathy in the early stages. The only sign of kidney damage may be small amounts of protein leaking into the urine (microalbuminuria). Normally, protein is not found in urine except during periods of high fever, strenuous exercise, pregnancy, or infection. As the diabetic kidney disease progresses, your kidneys cannot do their job as well. Therefore the toxins remain in the body. Since your kidneys can no longer balance the chemicals in your blood. You may: Lose more protein in your urine (macroalbuminuria, also known as overt nephropathy). Have higher blood pressure. Have high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. You may have symptoms if your nephropathy gets worse. These symptoms include: Swelling (edema), first in the feet and legs and later throughout your body. Poor appetite. Weight loss. Weakness. Feeling tired or worn out. Nausea or vomiting. Trouble sleeping. If the kidneys are totally damage then dialysis would be necessary of kidney transplant. For further information relating to treatment, diagnosis please visit netdoctor, webmed or medlineplus.http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/diabetickidneydisease.htmhttp://diabetes.webmd.com/tc/diabetic-nephropathy-symptomshttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diabetickidneyproblems.html#cat5
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