Diabetic nephropathy is a type of kidney disease caused by long-standing diabetes. High blood sugar levels over time damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, affecting their ability to filter waste and fluids from the blood. It is one of the most common complications of diabetes and the leading cause of kidney failure (also called end-stage kidney disease) worldwide.
This condition affects nearly 1 in 3 people with diabetes, and it develops slowly over many years. If not detected and treated early, it can lead to dialysis or the need for a kidney transplant.
Dr. Srikanth Gundlapalli, Senior Consultant Nephrologist, Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology Hyderabad