What is Diabetic Nephropathy

As a complication of Diabetes, Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is a kind of diabetic Glomerular sclerosis, particularly refers to the changes in the blood vessels of glomeruli. In the early stage of DN, there is no obvious symptom, and the blood pressure can be under the normal range or higher than that. If the quantity of microalbumin tested by radioimmunoassay is more than 200ug/min, the disease can be called as occulted kidney disease or early stage Nephropathy. 

I. Proteinuria.

In the early stage of DN, little quantity of proteinuria can be tested out only with the technology of radioimmunoassay. Proteinuria is the unique sigh of DN in this period, and it will change into a persistence symptom from intermittentl one with the development of the disease.

II. Swelling.

There is always no swelling in the early stage of DN, and some patients may suffer from swelling if the plasma protein will decrease. If there is large quantity of proteinuria or severe edema, the DN must in its late stage.

III. Hypertension.

The morbidity of hypertension in patients with type1 Diabetes is just the same as normal people, but the patients with type2 Diabetes are more likely to get high blood pressure.

IV. Renal Failure.

The progress of the disease in different people is different, some people may have mild degree of proteinuria for years with normal renal function, but some people will have to suffer from Nephrotic Syndrome in several years and Uremia finally.