Diabetic Nephropathy - Treatment Overview
Diabetic Nephropathy Guide
- Topic Overview
- Health Tools
- Symptoms
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Other Places To Get Help
- Related Information
- References
- Credits
Prevention
Prevention is the best way to avoid kidney damage from diabetic nephropathy.
- Keep your blood sugar levels within your target range. Manage your blood sugar by eating healthy foods, taking your medicine, and getting regular exercise. Your doctor may want you to check your blood sugar several times each day.
- Have yearly testing for protein in your urine.
- If you have type 1 diabetes, begin urine tests for protein after you have had diabetes for 5 years.
- Children with type 1 diabetes should begin yearly urine protein screening when they are 10 years of age and have had diabetes for 5 years.
- If you have type 2 diabetes, begin screening at the time diabetes is diagnosed.
- Keep your blood pressure under control with medicine, diet, and exercise. Learn to check your blood pressure at home.
- Stay at a healthy weight. This can help you prevent other diseases, such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
- Follow the nutrition guidelines for hypertension (including the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH, diet).
- Do not smoke or use other tobacco products.
If you already have diabetic nephropathy, you may be able to slow the progression of kidney damage by:
- Avoiding dehydration by promptly treating other conditions-such as diarrhea, vomiting, or fever-that can cause it. Be especially careful during hot weather or when you exercise.
- Reducing your risk of heart disease. Lifestyle changes such as eating a low-fat diet, quitting smoking , and getting regular exercise can help reduce your overall risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
- Treating other conditions that may block the normal flow of urine out of the kidneys, such as kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, or bladder problems.
- Not using medicines that may be harmful to your kidneys, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Be sure that your doctor knows about all prescription, nonprescription, and herbal medicines you are taking.
- Avoiding X-ray tests that require IV contrast material, such as angiograms, intravenous pyelography (IVP), and some CT scans. IV contrast can cause further kidney damage. If you do need to have these types of tests, make sure your doctor knows that you have diabetic nephropathy.
- Avoiding situations where you risk losing large amounts of blood, such as unnecessary surgeries. Do not donate blood or plasma.
- Lowering your blood pressure, because high blood pressure can make kidney damage even worse.
- Checking with your doctor to find out if it is safe for you to drink alcohol. Limiting alcohol can lower your blood pressure and lower your risk of kidney damage.