Diabetic patients who exhibit symptoms such as swelling in lower extremities, shortness of breath, and excessive urge to urinate should consult a nephrologist in Darul Sehat hospital. The symptoms correlate with diabetic peripheral neuropathy that requires medical attention.
What is Diabetic Nephropathy?
Diabetic patients with uncontrolled blood sugar levels can suffer from the condition as a complication. The kidneys are not able to filter out the toxins and excess fluid from the body. Diabetic patients must control their blood sugar levels to keep their kidneys healthy and functional. If they exhibit the symptoms of diabetic nephropathy, they should change their lifestyle to improve their overall health, or it may lead to further complications.
What symptoms correlate with diabetic nephropathy?
The symptoms of diabetic nephropathy are:
- The person suffers from high blood pressure.
- Excessive protein can be detected in the urine.
- The caregivers and patient can notice swelling in the arms, legs, and under the eyes.
- There is an excessive urge to urinate.
- The person cannot concentrate on the tasks due to lethargy,
- The person experiences shortness of breath often.
- The patient feels nauseous and suffers from vomiting.
- The person has a loss of appetite and feels physically weak.
- The person feels irritation all over their body.
What are the known causes of diabetic nephropathy?
Patients with diabetes suffer from the condition. The risk factors that can hinder the functioning of kidneys include:
- People who smoke and are diabetic are at a higher risk of suffering from the condition.
- Individuals with uncontrolled hyperglycemia and hypertension are more likely to develop the condition. It may lead to multiple complications.
- Obese people with a family history of diabetes are more likely to suffer from the condition.
What are the complications associated with diabetic nephropathy?
The complications associated with diabetic nephropathy include:
- The swelling is caused due to fluid retention. The kidneys cannot flush out the excess fluid that may lead to pulmonary edema.
- The kidneys are unable to maintain the balance of potassium in the body. Increased potassium can cause cardiac arrest and can be life-threatening.
- The patient is more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease, which can result in a stroke. It can be the cause of death.
- The person suffers from anemia, as the red blood cells for oxygen supply decrease in the body.
- The patient is more likely to suffer from bone disorders, as the kidney fails to maintain mineral levels in the body.
- Pregnant women with diabetic nephropathy are at a higher risk of miscarriage.
- The patient may suffer from renal failure, which requires dialysis daily or can lead to death.
What measures can prevent the occurrence of diabetic nephropathy?
The preventive measures include:
- Diabetic patients should keep their blood sugar levels in check and use insulin and other medications as per the instructions of the doctor.
- Diabetic patients should eradicate smoking from their life. It can damage the kidneys and cause multiple complications.
- The patient must maintain a healthy body weight to reduce any further complications.
- The patient must visit the specialist every three months and get tested twice a year to check the functioning of vital organs.
- The patients must monitor their blood pressure. High blood pressure and diabetes can affect the functioning of kidneys and lead to multiple complications.
- The patients should avoid taking over-the-counter medications to treat body pains on a regular basis, as it may lead to kidney failure.
People diagnosed with the condition must contact a nephrologist in Karachi. The specialist will help provide the most effective treatment. It would allow the person to manage the symptoms and live a productive life. Additionally, the treatment will allow minimizing the chances of further complications.
