Prevention of Diabetic Nephropathy Starts from Daily Life

Kidney lesion is common complication of diabetes and it is the primary reason of death and disability. The clinical manifestations of diabetic nephropathy are proteinuria, progressive impairment of renal functions, hypertension, and edema and in the end stage renal failure, therefore the prevention of diabetic nephropathy should not be ignored and effective prevention measures should start from daily life.

1. Scientific and reasonable diet. The general diet principle should be three lows and one high---low-salt, low-sugar, low-fat and high-fiber. Whole grains, coarse grains, fresh vegetables and fruits are beneficial for health. It is claimed that in the early stage of diabetic nephropathy the protein intake should be limited (0.8g/kg/d) and moderate amino acid and plasma can be infused when necessary. There can be moderate increase of carbohydrate intake to maintain adequate energy.

2. Monitoring blood pressure. The blood pressure should be lower than 130/80mmHg. At the same time, low-salt diet, moderate exercises and supply of calcium are all conducive for controlling blood pressure.

3. Monitoring blood sugar. The cause of diabetic nephropathy is the accumulation of advanced glycation end products due to excessive glucose. It is conducive for the kidneys if the blood sugar can be maintained in the normal range.

4. Renal function. Diabetes patients that have more than 5 years’ illness course should have regular renal function test as well as urine protein qualitative, 24 hour urine protein quantitative and fundus examination. If condition permits, uronucroprotein andβ2 microglobubin can be measured to have early detection of diabetic nephropathy.

5. Cautious medications. Diabetic nephropathy patients should have more cautions before taking any medicines to avoid renal toxicity medications. Ask for the doctors’ advices when medicines or drugs are prescribed.

In a word, the fundamental prevention of diabetic nephropathy is to prevent diabetes, the prevention measures for diabetes are more exercises, control of diet and weight, avoiding mental stress and staying up as well as timely treating complications such as hypertension, urinary tract infection, nerve vascular lesions, etc.