How does diabetes affect the kidneys?
Diabetes can affect the kidneys in a number of ways but one of the most important complications is diabetic nephropathy. This is a kidney condition that occurs only in people with diabetes mellitus and results in progressive damage to the small filtering units of the kidney (glomeruli). This eventually leads to large amounts of protein in the urine, high blood pressure and declining kidney function. Even when drugs and diet are able to control diabetes, the disease can lead to nephropathy and kidney failure. Diabetes is the second most common cause of kidney failure in India. About 20% of the people who need dialysis (artificial kidney treatment) or kidney transplantation in India have usually diabetic nephropathy.
