What is diabetic nephropathy
Diabetic nephropathy is a common complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Over time, poorly controlled diabetes can cause damage to blood vessel clusters in your kidneys that filter waste from your blood. This can lead to kidney damage and cause high blood pressure.Diabetic nephropathy is a long-term kidney disease that can affect people with diabetes. It occurs when high blood glucose levels damage how a person’s kidneys function. Diabetic nephropathy is a kind of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The kidneys help regulate the levels of fluids and salts in the body, which is vital for controlling blood pressure and protecting cardiovascular health. When a person has diabetes, whether type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, their body cannot use or produce insulin as it should. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes later in life. Diabetes results in high blood sugar levels. Over time, these high glucose levels can damage various areas of the body, including the cardiovascular system and kidneys. The kidney damage that results is known as diabetic nephropathy.