How is Renal Failure Caused by Diabetes

Long-term or poor management of Diabetes can cause many complications, one of which is diabetic kidney disease. Diabetic Nephropathy is a slow progressive kidney disease and the patients don’t pose evident symptoms at early stage, that’s why the awareness for early screening tests for kidney damage and proper prevention is important for people with Diabetes. How is renal failure caused by Diabetes? Have a general knowledge about the disease so that you can rule out and prevent the disease at earlier stages.

How is renal failure caused by Diabetes? Diabetes occurs when the body begins to have a problem with insulin, either by not being able to produce enough or by becoming resistant to utilizing the insulin produced. Either way, both types can lead to kidney damage, if not properly treated. Since insulin is the hormone responsible for prompting the cells to uptake sugar from the blood, diabetic patients typically have high blood sugar levels. Over time, these elevated levels force the kidneys to filter excessive amounts of blood, which damages renal glomerular filtering cells.

It is suggested damage to the kidneys may begin from the initial course of Diabetes, but may take years to pose obvious symptoms. In the very primary course, the kidneys are in high filtration and high perfusion state with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) higher than normal; by strict treatment to control blood sugar this stage can be reversed. In poorly controlled cases, however, Diabetes further causes thickening and sclerosis of glomerular cells and thus a slight albumin in urine will be present. Microalbuminuria test is suggested to people with Diabetes for over 5 years to screen whether there is underlying risk in developing Diabetic Nephropathy.

Clinical presence of proteins in urine indicates a more advanced stage of Diabetic Nephropathy. The people find foams in their urine together with high blood pressure and/or edema in limbs, eyelids, face, etc. According to American Joslin clinical reports, average Diabetes course till the occurrence of proteinuria is 17 years. After proteinuria stage, about 50% people develop into kidney failure stage within 10 years, and up to 75% get kidney failure within 15 years.

Early kidney disease screening tests are needed for people with Diabetes so as to prevent onset of kidney failure. Management of blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipids will help people to reduce their chances of kidney disease as well as other life-threatening chronic complications. If you are susceptible or already diagnosed as kidney disease, attach importance to control blood pressure and blood sugar, remit proteinuria, quit smoking, follow individualized dietary plan to protect kidneys and prevent further damage on the kidneys.

For any concerned questions on diabetic kidney disease, you may contact us at kidneycares@hotmail.com and we will be ready for help!