Diabetic nephropathy is kidney damage caused by diabetes.
Persistently high blood sugar damages the kidney's filtering system, allowing
protein that would normally be kept in the blood to pass into the urine.
In the early stages of diabetic nephropathy, small amounts of
protein leak into the urine (microalbuminuria). As nephropathy progresses, the
kidneys begin to leak large amounts of protein (macroalbuminuria). This
indicates serious damage and can lead to kidney failure.
Diabetic nephropathy can often be prevented by keeping blood sugar
levels within a safe range. It is treated with medication to slow or prevent
further kidney damage. Getting regular exercise, eating a low-fat diet,
controlling high blood pressure, and not smoking also may help people with
diabetes to prevent kidney damage.
