Diabetic kidney disease 

Diabetic kidney disease – or nephropathy – develops slowly over many years, and almost one in five people with diabetes will require treatment for the condition at some point. Symptoms gradually develop and can include oedema (swelling) of the ankles, feet and hands, haematuria (blood in the urine), fatigue, shortness of breath and nausea, all of which arise due to deteriorating renal function as waste products and fluid are cleared less efficiently. Damage to the filtering elements of the kidney causes protein to leak into the urine – an important marker for diabetic kidney disease.

Keeping blood glucose and blood pressure under control, stopping smoking, staying active and eating healthily all reduce a patient’s risk of developing kidney disease.