Nephropathy is any kind of non-inflammatory kidney disease most often caused by diabetes. Diabetic nephropathy develops when high blood sugar is present in the body for a long period of time. This condition may eventually require dialysis. People with diabetes I and diabetes II are considered at risk when uncontrolled or poorly controlled glucose levels are in the blood. Diabetics who also suffer from high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol have a higher chance of contracting nephropathy. There are only symptoms in the later stages of the disease, therefore it is important that your healthcare professional diagnose nephropathy as early as possible.
Instructions
1. Besides fatigue and headaches, some signs and symptoms for nephropathy are:Early morning eye swelling and leg swelling later in the dayPoor or no appetiteNausea and vomitingGeneral malaiseItchingHiccupsFoamy urine
2. Get a urinalysis. Your healthcare professional will likely take a microalbuminuria test, a urine test showing the amount of protein spilling into the urine, to diagnose nephropathy. If blood sugar is not handled well, glucose may also appear in the urinalysis.
3. Seek a biopsy. If the diagnoses is not straightforward, a kidney biopsy may be required to confirm nephropathy. With a progression of proteinuria (excessive protein in the urine) along with a diagnoses of retinopathy (retina present in the eyes) the healthcare professional can diagnose nephropathy without the need for a biopsy.
4. Get treatment. ACE inhibiters are the main treatment procedures after the healthcare professional diagnoses nephropathy. The purpose is to slow the progression of kidney damage caused by nephropathy. The symptoms of diabetes must be controlled, including control of blood glucose, modification of diet, high blood pressure treated, maintain healthy weight and regular exercise.
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