Diabetic Kidney Disease

To say diabetic kidney disease is a dangerous condition is an understatement, considering 40% of people with diabetes have kidney disease, and diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure. Skilled nephrologist Deon Middlebrook, MD, in Detroit, Michigan, develops individualized treatment plans that slow or stop kidney damage, manage diabetes, and keep your blood sugar in the healthy range. Call the practice, Deon D. Middlebrook MDPC, or use online booking if you need expert care for diabetic kidney disease.

What is diabetic kidney disease?

Diabetic kidney disease, also called diabetic nephropathy, is exactly what its name suggests: chronic kidney disease caused by diabetes. 

This condition develops when high blood sugar damages tiny blood vessels inside your kidneys. These blood vessels are essential because they form part of the kidney’s working structures.

Each kidney has millions of structures called nephrons, and each nephron contains a cluster of blood vessels (glomeruli) that filter your blood. When the glomeruli and nephrons are damaged by high blood sugar, scarring develops, causing permanent damage.

As long as diabetes goes untreated or poorly managed, more of these structures become damaged and your kidney function keeps declining.

What symptoms does diabetic kidney disease cause?

The symptoms you experience depend on the stage of your kidney disease. The disease progresses through five stages as kidney damage keeps getting worse. 

In the early stages, treatment can prevent diabetic kidney disease from advancing to the next stage. But by the final stage, your kidneys have stopped working.

Diabetic kidney disease has a range of symptoms that includes:

• Swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet
• Foamy, bubbly urine
• Blood in your urine
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Dry, itchy skin
• Lower back pain
• Muscle cramps
• Difficulty sleeping
• Urinating more or less often than usual (depending on the stage)

As diabetic kidney disease reaches an advanced stage, you may also develop anemia, heart disease, hyperkalemia (high potassium), and an acid buildup in your body.

How is diabetic kidney disease treated?

Dr. Middlebrook provides exceptional care for diabetic kidney disease, recommending medications and lifestyle changes that slow or stop kidney damage, protect your kidney health, keep your blood sugar in the healthy range, and manage your blood pressure.

An essential part of your treatment includes a kidney-friendly diet combined with a diabetic diet. The two work well together because they both recommend whole grains and healthy carbs instead of sugary products, and also call for lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts.

However, a diabetic diet must also be modified to control nutrients affected by kidney disease. For example, you need to limit phosphorus and potassium (which affects vegetable and fruit choices) and keep a close watch on sodium, especially as kidney disease progresses.

If you need support and medical care for diabetic kidney disease, call Deon D. Middlebrook MCPC today or use online booking to request an appointment.