Diabetic Nephropathy is a serious complication of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. It's also called diabetic kidney disease. Diabetic Nephropathy affects the kidneys' usual work of removing waste products and extra fluid from the body. The best way to prevent or delay diabetic nephropathy is by living a healthy lifestyle and keeping diabetes and high blood pressure managed.

Over years, diabetic nephropathy slowly damages the kidneys' filtering system. Early treatment may prevent this condition or slow it and lower the chance of complications.

Diabetic kidney disease can lead to kidney failure. This also is called end-stage kidney disease. Kidney failure is a life-threatening condition. Treatment options for kidney failure are dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Symptoms

In the early stages of diabetic nephropathy, there might not be symptoms. In later stages, symptoms may include:

1. High blood pressure that gets harder to control.
2. Swelling of feet, ankles, hands or eyes.
3. Foamy urine.
4. Confusion or difficulty thinking.
5. Shortness of breath.
6. Loss of appetite.
7. Nausea and vomiting.
8. Itching.
9. Tiredness and weakness.