Patient's question:
I am a long-term diabetic patient. I pay attention to it and control it well. Recently, my body has been abnormal, and the hospital's thorough examination said it was diabetic nephropathy. What is diabetic nephropathy?Doctor's answer:
Diabetic nephropathy is a renal glomerular sclerosis caused by abnormal glucose metabolism, accompanied by lower than normal levels of urinary protein, which is a complication of diabetes. Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most important complications of diabetes. The incidence rate in China is on the rise, currently being the second leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), surpassed only by various glomerulonephritides. It involves complex metabolic disorders, and once ESRD develops, treatment becomes more challenging compared to other kidney diseases. Timely comprehensive prevention and treatment are crucial for slowing the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Recurrent diabetic nephropathy can also involve microvascular diseases in other organs or systems, such as diabetic retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy. In the management of diabetic nephropathy, blood glucose control, protein intake regulation, blood pressure control, and lipid metabolism management are essential to prevent complications of renal dysfunction.