Tag: world kidney day

March 14, 2019

There are around 72 million people with diabetes in India and these numbers are expected to increase to 134 million in the next 10-15 years. Uncontrolled diabetes can affect many organs and the kidney is one of the most serious of these complications. On World Kidney Day, its time we start paying attention to this issue. After 15 to 20 years of having diabetes, nearly a third of people with the condition develop kidney complications. Diabetes mellitus is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure in the world. Therefore, it is essential that all clinicians understand how to appropriately screen patients for diabetic kidney disease with a focus on prevention of kidney diseases, and if is already present, to try to slow down its progression.

Stages of diabetic kidney disease

This first stage of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is called microalbuminuria, and at this stage small amounts of albumin begin to leak into the urine. As the disease progresses larger quantities of albumin leak into the urine. This stage is called macroalbuminuria or proteinuria. Slowly the kidneys’ filtering capacity begins to drop and the body begins to retain various waste products as filtration falls. As kidney damage develops further, the blood pressure rises and this further damages the kidney. After months or years, the DKD may progress to end st