What are the treatments for the condition?

The best treatment for diabetic nephropathy is prevention. Control of blood sugar levels is the most important way to prevent the onset and worsening of this condition. Control of blood pressure and the use of ACE inhibitor medications can also help limit the amount of kidney damage.

Dialysis or a kidney transplant is the treatment for people who develop end-stage renal disease.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Tight control of the blood sugar with insulin may cause blood sugars that are too low. This could cause a coma or even death, though this is very rare. If pills are used to control diabetes, liver damage, stomach upset, and other side effects may occur.

Many medications used to control high blood pressure have bothersome side effects. These include erectile dysfunction, swelling in the legs, headaches, and low blood pressure. ACE inhibitor medications can cause a chronic cough and allergic reactions.

Dialysis is time-consuming and may cause infections, salt imbalances, and, rarely, death. A kidney transplant requires surgery, which may cause infection, bleeding, allergic reaction to anesthesia, and, rarely, death.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

Treatment of diabetic nephropathy is lifelong. As the condition gets worse, more intense treatment is needed until the kidneys fail completely.

How is the condition monitored?

A healthcare provider can help monitor the condition by checking protein levels in the urine early in the course of diabetes. This helps detect the condition at an early stage so aggressive treatment can begin. Blood tests are also used to monitor a person's diabetes and kidney function.

Those with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar levels at home every day and report abnormal levels to their healthcare provider. Any new or worsening symptoms should also be reported to the healthcare provider.