Causes of diabetic nephropathy
Causes Damage to the kidneys puts stress on these vital organs and prevents them from working properly. When this happens: the body starts to lose protein through the urine the kidneys cannot remove waste products from the blood the kidneys cannot maintain healthy fluid levels in the body Diabetic nephropathy develops slowly. According to one study, a third of people show high levels of albumin in their urine 15 yearsTrusted Source after a diagnosis of diabetes. However, fewer than half of these people will develop full nephropathy. Statistics have suggested that kidney disease is uncommon in people who have had diabetes for less than 10 years. Also, if a person has no clinical signs of nephropathy 20–25 years after diabetes starts, they have a low chance of developing it thereafter. Diabetic nephropathy is less likely if a person with diabetes manages their glucose levels effectively. High blood glucose levels increase the risk of high blood pressure because of the damage to blood vessels. Having high blood pressure, or hypertension, may contribute to kidney disease