Complications

Complications of diabetic nephropathy may develop gradually over months or years. They may include:

• Fluid retention, which could lead to swelling in your arms and legs, high blood pressure, or fluid in your lungs (pulmonary edema)
• A rise in potassium levels in your blood (hyperkalemia)
• Heart and blood vessel disease (cardiovascular disease), which could lead to stroke
• Damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (diabetic retinopathy)
• Reduced number of red blood cells to transport oxygen (anemia)
• Foot sores, erectile dysfunction, diarrhea and other problems related to damaged nerves and blood vessels
• Bone and mineral disorders due to the inability of the kidneys to maintain the right balance of calcium and phosphorus in the blood
• Pregnancy complications that carry risks for the mother and the developing fetus
• Irreversible damage to your kidneys (end-stage kidney disease), eventually needing either dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival