Diabetes is frequently seen in the world and in our country. This disease, which is thought to affect approximately 8 million people in Turkey and is a very difficult disease, can cause various diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, eye disorders, nervous system disorders and kidney diseases. In order to protect from diabetes and prevent diabetes from progressing and causing other diseases, it is important to eat healthy and to see a doctor consciously about the symptoms in the body and to diagnose it early.
DIABETES SHOULD REGULARLY FOLLOW THE KIDNEY FUNCTIONS
Stating that diabetes causes disorders in many organs, Nephrology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Özgür Merhametsiz said, “Diabetic nephropathy is one of the important ones in the kidney function disorder that develops due to diabetes. In our country, according to the registry reports of the Turkish Society of Nephrology, 36 percent of the patients receiving hemodialysis treatment are diabetics. These patients are in the risk group for chronic kidney failure (CRF). For this reason, regular follow-up of those with diabetes is required in terms of kidney functions.
IF NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN, RENAL FUNCTIONS CAN BE SEEN.
Stating that in the early stage of diabetic nephropathy, excretion of microalbumin protein in the urine develops without any symptoms in patients, Beykent University Faculty of Medicine Lecturer. Member Assoc. Dr. Özgür Merhametsiz said, “Caught and treatment at this stage of diabetic nephropathy can reverse this process. For this reason, patients with diabetes should have their doctor checked whether there is microalbumin excretion in the urine at the intervals recommended by their physicians. After this early stage of diabetic nephropathy, the microalbumin period, which represents a low level of protein excretion, will progress to overt proteinuria, impaired kidney function and kidney failure if the necessary treatment and precautions are not taken.
PATIENTS MUST FOLLOW LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Assoc. Dr. Özgür Merhametsiz finally said, “As there are treatments to slow the progression of kidney failure at every stage of diabetic nephropathy, our patients are expected to comply with some lifestyle changes. Those with diabetes should be evaluated for diabetic nephropathy in order to prevent or delay these negative consequences if possible. For this purpose, patients can apply to internal medicine, nephrology and endocrinology physicians and learn whether they develop diabetic nephropathy or not.