Can diabetic nephropathy be controlled?

Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

Updated on June 10, 2025

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The treatment of diabetic nephropathy is indeed a medical challenge currently. This disease is related to metabolic disorder, with factors such as high blood sugar state advanced glycation end products and oxidative stress contributing to the damage of the glomerular capillaries. Presently, there is no cure for this disease, nor is there a specific effective treatment. However, many patients have used certain treatments that can effectively delay the progression of the disease. Clinically, common measures include controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids. Additionally, combining the use of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors can reduce the pressure within the renal corpuscles and lower urine protein levels.

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Written by Zhang Jun Jun

Endocrinology

1min 16sec

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What should I do if diabetic nephropathy causes facial swelling?

Diabetic nephropathy with facial swelling is generally due to too much protein in the urine and too little protein in the blood, causing hypoalbuminemia, which leads to edema. There are several methods to control diabetic nephropathy: First, blood sugar and blood pressure must be strictly controlled within a normal range. Blood pressure control should be even stricter for those with diabetic nephropathy, generally kept below 130/80. Second, in terms of diet, it is crucial to avoid or limit intake of bean-based foods and consume high-quality proteins instead. High-quality proteins include commonly known meats, eggs, and fish. Third, it is essential to limit or avoid the use of medications that can damage the kidneys. Fourth, if diabetic nephropathy causes general body edema, intermittent use of diuretic medications can help alleviate the swelling, along with nephroprotective medications. The final method for severe kidney disease involves early intervention with hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

1min 1sec

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How to reduce proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy.

A major clinical feature of diabetic nephropathy is the occurrence of proteinuria, which, if the condition continues to progress, can lead to kidney failure. Controlling proteinuria in the early stages of the disease is indeed very important. In terms of treatment, it is primarily necessary to use medications or insulin to control the patient's blood sugar, as hyperglycemia is the fundamental cause of diabetic nephropathy. Additionally, these patients often also have hypertension, necessitating the use of antihypertensive drugs to control blood pressure. When the patient's kidney function is not severely impaired, ACE inhibitors or ARBs can be the preferred choice of antihypertensive drugs, as they not only control blood pressure but also reduce proteinuria. However, if the patient's serum creatinine is significantly elevated, such as over 264 µmol/L, these drugs should no longer be used. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

48sec

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Can diabetic nephropathy with swollen feet be treated?

Patients with diabetic nephropathy who experience swelling in their feet often have significant amounts of protein in their urine or may have already developed renal failure. While there are ways to manage foot swelling, the fundamental issues may not be resolved. For swelling, diuretics can be used to increase urine output. If diuretics are ineffective, hemodialysis may be employed to ultrafiltrate and remove excess fluid from the body and alleviate swelling. However, these measures only address the symptoms on the surface. For patients with diabetic nephropathy, the underlying causes are due to diabetes, oxidative stress, and high blood sugar states, which damage the kidneys. Currently, there is no specific clinical treatment for these fundamental issues.

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Written by Pan Wu Shan

Nephrology

59sec

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What foods should be eaten for diabetic nephropathy?

Diabetic nephropathy is essentially a complication of the kidneys caused by diabetes, characterized by a history of diabetes for at least five to ten years, with very poor blood sugar control, leading to diabetic nephropathy. The main clinical manifestation is a large amount of proteinuria. Typically, patients will have a large amount of urinary protein, even exceeding 3.5 grams, and some patients may also experience swelling in the lower limbs, among other symptoms. Currently, dietary considerations for diabetic nephropathy mainly include a low-salt, low-fat, high-quality protein diet, and a diabetic diet. Avoid eating foods high in starch, such as potatoes, peanuts, Chinese yam, taro, etc., and also avoid foods high in sugar. Cucumbers, bitter melon, celery, and tomatoes are all good options to consider.

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Written by Zhou Qi

Nephrology

47sec

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How is diabetic nephropathy diagnosed?

The diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy primarily relies on the clinical symptoms and medical history of the patient. Such patients often exhibit proteinuria, sometimes even severe proteinuria, and may also experience renal failure. Additionally, these patients have a history of diabetes, usually extending over ten years, followed by renal damage, and often accompanied by diabetic retinopathy. In such cases, a preliminary diagnosis can be made based on clinical features. However, there is still a risk of misdiagnosis, as the proteinuria could also be caused by other diseases affecting the glomeruli. Therefore, to confirm the diagnosis, it is best to conduct a renal biopsy, which can provide a definitive diagnosis.