Diabetes can cause damage to the kidneys, which is known as nephropathy. About a quarter of people with diabetes may develop nephropathy, although the numbers are steadily declining. In many cases if detected early the condition can be treated successfully

Symptoms

There are no obvious symptoms of nephropathy in the early stages, which is why regular testing is so important to detect the condition. If left untreated the body will lose a lot of protein in the urine and this can lead to water retention or oedema, especially around the ankles. Eventually the condition may result in the kidneys being unable to remove waste products from the body. The person would then need dialysis or a transplant. Testing for nephropathy can often be done using a urine dipstick, which will show if there is any protein present.

What causes Nephropathy?

Nephropathy is caused by damage to the tiny blood vessels which supply the kidneys. The walls of these blood vessels in the kidneys become thickened or irregular and this means they are unable to filter waste products out of the blood into the urine properly.

Treatment

This involves dietary changes, restricting the amount of protein in the diet, and controlling high blood pressure, which can worsen the problem. The most important thing to remember is to make sure you have your urine tested for protein at least once a year.

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