Diabetic nephropathy affects your kidneys' ability to do their usual work of removing waste products and extra fluid from your body. The best way to prevent or delay diabetic nephropathy is by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and treating your diabetes and high blood pressure.

Over many years, the condition slowly damages your kidneys' delicate filtering system. Early treatment may prevent or slow the disease's progress and reduce the chance of complications.

Your kidney disease may progress to kidney failure, also called end-stage kidney disease. Kidney failure is a life-threatening condition. At this stage your treatment

In the early stages of diabetic nephropathy, you may not notice any signs or symptoms. In later stages, the signs and symptoms include:

Worsening blood pressure control Protein in the urine Swelling of feet, ankles, hands or eyes Increased need to urinate Reduced need for insulin or diabetes medicine Confusion or difficulty concentrating Shortness of breath Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Persistent itching Fatigue