Diabetes is a chronic disease with the potential of affecting all organs and organ systems. Up to 40% of diabetic patients develop severe kidney manifestation of the diabetes, “diabetic nephropathy”.

Diabetic nephropathy is caused by the damage of blood vessel clusters (glomeruli) and other specific cells in the kidney. It develops slowly over many years, successively impacting the kidney function up to the level of end-stage kidney failure.

Early diagnosis is critical to avoid or at least delay the onset of severe and often irreversible complications.

Early and late symptoms caused by Diabetic Nephropathy

• Micro-Albuminuria
• Rise of blood potassium (hyperkalemia)
• Worsening of blood pressure control
• Less need of insulin or diabetes medicine
• Fatigue
• Confusion, difficulty to concentrate
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased need to urinate
• Persistent itching
• Fluid retention, swelling in arms and legs
• Pulmonary edema (fluid retention in the lung)
• Anemia
• Increased risk of other diabetic organ complication: cardiovascular complications, stroke, retinopathy, neuropathy, erectile dysfunction, foot sores
• Irreversible damage of the kidney function with the need of dialysis or kidney transplant

Unpleasant side effects and complications can be avoided in many cases or at least delayed, if the diabetic nephropathy is diagnosed at an early stage and if the three corner stones of modern diabetes management are considered thoroughly:

• Modern medication for effective control of blood sugar, blood cholesterol and hypertension
• Regular organ screening to assure early diagnosis of organ complication (kidney, eyes, skin, heart…)
• Lifestyle changes, including regular physical exams, healthy diet and refraining from smoking

For the patients it is difficult however to coordinate all needed appointments without missing important follow up visits and control exams. We cordially invite you to join our Amber Diabetes Registry and our Amber Diabetes Patient Education Program. As Amber Clinics consider Diabetes Registry and Interactive Diabetes Education as a Corporate Social Responsibility, attendance of both programs is free of cost for everybody.

Please contact us if you have questions.

email: care@amberclinics.com

cell phone: 050 153 0873

Amber Clinics: Amber Clinics: Rigga, International City
Al Noor Polyclinics: Deira and Satwa
Dr Joseph Polyclinic: Karama, Qusais