Diabetic Nephropathy: Symptoms, Complications and Treatment Options

Diabetic Nephropathy: Overview

Well, people suffering from Type 1 as well as Type 2 diabetes may face the negative implication of Diabetic Nephropathy at times. An individual’s damaged blood vessel clusters can result in this condition. Following that, a person has to know about the treatment options for diabetic nephropathy. Besides that, an individual need not escape the common complications of this complex disease. However, one may consult a Nephrologist in Hyderabad for this purpose.

A reader may come across various treatment means for diabetic nephropathy by going through this article. Furthermore, one can also have an idea about the basic cause of diabetic nephropathy. 

What are the prime symptoms of Diabetic Nephropathy?

Most importantly, an individual may not notice any symptoms at the early stage of diabetic nephropathy. But, one can face the signs of this disease after it reaches the final stage. 

A few prime symptoms of Diabetic Nephropathy may include the following:

• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Worsening blood pressure control
• Reduced need for insulin or diabetes medicine
• Increased need to urinate
• Protein in the urine
• Persistent itching
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling of ankles, feet, hands, or eyes
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Fatigue

What are the common causes of Diabetic Nephropathy’s occurrence?

Generally, people become the victim of Diabetic Nephropathy when Type 1, as well as Type 2 diabetes, comes up. Herein, an individual using pressure over the kidneys may hamper the working of the other body parts. Besides that, one’s raised blood pressure may also trigger this disease. Eventually, a person getting exposed to its risk factors may also become its victim.

A few common causes may include the following:

• Being a smoker
• Uncontrolled blood Pressure
• Uncontrolled Blood Sugar Level
• High Blood cholesterol
• Having a family history of diabetes and another disease
• Obesity

Which diagnostic tests are used for detecting Diabetic Nephropathy?

Mostly, a doctor may diagnose diabetic nephropathy during a routine examination which is a part of diabetes management. Ultimately, one’s kidney specialist may look into kidney damage with certain diagnostic tests.

Few diagnostic tests that are used to detect diabetic nephropathy may include the following:

• Urinary Albium Test
• Glomerular Filtration Rate
• Creatinine Ratio
• Kidney Biopsy
• CT Scan
• X-ray

What are the best treatment options for Diabetic Nephropathy?

Initially, a doctor may try to control high blood sugar as well as blood pressure level. Following that, an individual’s treatment options for the nephropathy may help in preventing the onset of this disease. Ultimately, a patient may enquire about the details of every treatment means beforehand. 

Few other treatment options for Diabetic Nephropathy may include the following:

• Medications 

An experienced nephrologist may prescribe several medications for controlling high blood glucose as well as blood pressure levels. Besides that, a kidney specialist seeks to manage high cholesterol levels through medications. Moreover, an individual may also get medicines to get relief from kidney scarring at times. However, doctors may ask the patient to go for follow-up testing at regular intervals accordingly. 

• Kidney Dialysis

Kidney specialists consider kidney dialysis as the most relevant treatment option for diabetic nephropathy. By doing so, a doctor may remove excess wastes from the blood easily. However, a patient must wait for 3 to 5 hours for the completion of kidney dialysis. 

Also Check: How to Improve Kidney Function to Avoid Dialysis

• Kidney Transplantation

Many times, kidney specialists go for kidney transplantation for getting rid of diabetic nephropathy. Later on, a doctor may evaluate if the patient is eligible for transplantation or not. 

• Managing the symptoms

In case, an individual fails to carry out dialysis or kidney transplantation then their life expectancy gets reduced. Herein, a doctor may extend certain treatment means for keeping the patient comfortable. 

Therefore, people may go for any of the above treatment options for Diabetic Nephropathy as per their choice. Moreover, doctors are researching ways to use regenerative medicine for this disease. So, one’s kidney functioning can be improved in this manner. 

Which complications are associated with Diabetic Nephropathy?

People need to know that the complications of Diabetic Nephropathy may develop over years. An individual may remain unaware of this condition for a long time.

Certain complications may include the following:

• Decreased number of red blood cells for transporting oxygen
• Higher level of potassium in the blood
• Complications related to pregnancy
• Heart and blood vessel disease
• Retention of fluids resulting in swelling of the arms and legs
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Foot Sores
• Irreversible damage to the kidneys needing dialysis or transplantation
• Bone and Mineral Disorders

Which home remedies can help in managing Diabetic Nephropathy?

Undoubtedly, a kidney specialist’s prescribed medicines can work effectively against Diabetic Nephropathy. In addition to that, one may also go for home remedies to treat this condition. Mostly, a person needs to concentrate on diet, exercise, and self-management for curing diabetic nephropathy.

Certain home remedies for managing Diabetic Nephropathy may include the following:

• Monitor Blood Sugar Level Regularly

One’s healthcare provider may suggest you check your blood sugar level on regular basis. In doing so, an individual can keep his blood sugar level within the target range. Furthermore, a person must check it once every day before or after doing exercises. However, an individual taking insulin must check their blood sugar level multiple times a day. 

• Quit Smoking

A regular smoker needs to leave smoking at any cost for preventing diabetic nephropathy. Besides that, an individual may talk to the doctor about different strategies for quitting smoking. 

• Having a Healthy Diet

Most importantly, an individual must talk to their doctor regarding weight-loss techniques. Following that, a person can consume lots of non-starchy vegetables for improving health. However, one should avoid consuming processed meats, sweets, and sodium. 

• Talk a daily aspirin

Individuals need to ask their doctor whether they can consume aspirin or not. By doing so, a person may escape cardiovascular disease to a great extent. 

So, an individual may try out all these home remedies to get rid of diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore, a person has to carry out regular exercise to maintain good kidney health. 

Which foods should be avoided in Nephropathy?

People suffering from kidney disease need to restrict several types of foods for their benefit. Herein, an individual may consult a dietician regarding the same issue.

A few foods that should be avoided may include the following:

• Processed meats

A person having kidney issues needs to know about the high-sodium content in processed meats. An individual needs to restrict having high-sodium foods as this can strain the kidneys.

• Fruit Juices

An individual suffering from kidney disease as well as diabetes has to avoid fruit juices strictly. Herein, one must remain about the excess sugar content in fruit juices that may have adverse effects on blood sugar levels. 

• Snack food

People must remember that snack food has higher sodium content in them. Ultimately, a person having diabetes as well as kidney problems won’t find these foods suitable for consumption.

Therefore, one may make a list of foods that needs to be avoided during kidney disease as well as diabetes. However, a doctor may also guide the patient regarding healthy food habits.

Conclusion:

People need to understand the symptoms of diabetic nephropathy for their knowledge. Besides that, an individual has to know about the common causes of this kidney disorder. Moreover, one should not ignore the major complications of diabetic nephropathy as well. Eventually, one can talk to a nephrologist in Hyderabad for treatment purposes. 

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