Diabetic renal disease, also known as diabetic nephropathy, is a complication of long-term diabetes that affects the kidneys. It is a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Symptoms of Diabetic Renal Disease

Early stages of diabetic renal disease often have no symptoms, but as the condition progresses, the following symptoms can occur:.

Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or face
Urinating more often or in larger amounts
Foamy or bubbly urine
Blood in the urine
Fatigue
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Difficulty sleeping
Itchy skin

Risk Factors for Diabetic Renal Disease

The following factors increase the risk of developing diabetic renal disease:.

Diabetes: People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at risk for diabetic renal disease. Good diabetes management can help reduce the risk.
High blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage the kidneys and increase the risk of diabetic renal disease. Controlling blood pressure is important for kidney health.
Family history: A family history of kidney disease can increase the risk of diabetic renal disease.
Smoking: Smoking can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of diabetic renal disease. Quitting smoking is important for kidney health.

Diagnosis of Diabetic Renal Disease

Diabetic renal disease is diagnosed through a combination of blood and urine tests, as well as a physical exam. Your doctor may recommend the following tests:.

Blood tests: Blood tests can check for signs of kidney damage, including elevated creatinine levels and decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
Urine tests: Urine tests can check for the presence of protein, which is a sign of kidney damage.
Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as ultrasounds or CT scans may be ordered to assess the kidneys and surrounding structures.
Kidney biopsy: In some cases, a kidney biopsy may be needed to diagnose diabetic renal disease.

Treatment for Diabetic Renal Disease

Treatment for diabetic renal disease focuses on controlling blood sugar levels and blood pressure to slow the progression of kidney damage. Your doctor may recommend the following treatments:.

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels: Good diabetes management is essential for kidney health.
Controlling blood pressure: Keeping blood pressure at a healthy level can help slow the progression of kidney damage.
Medications: Your doctor may prescribe medications to help control blood sugar levels or blood pressure.
Dialysis: In severe cases of kidney failure, dialysis may be necessary to remove waste products from the blood.
Kidney transplant: In some cases, a kidney transplant may be necessary to replace a damaged kidney.