Final answer:
Diabetic nephropathy is a serious condition affecting the kidneys due to long-term damage from high blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. Symptoms may take years to manifest, and the disease can lead to kidney failure and other complications if not managed effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some clients with chronic diabetes may suffer from microvascular complications or diseases such as diabetic nephropathy, which has a direct impact on kidney function. Diabetic nephropathy is a progressive kidney disease caused by damage to the capillaries in the glomeruli of the kidneys due to long-standing diabetes mellitus. High blood glucose levels over time can lead to severe diabetes consequences, including kidney failure, cardiovascular diseases, diabetic neuropathy, and possibly blindness due to damage to the retina.
The onset of diabetic nephropathy often involves no symptoms initially; it may take years before symptoms such as severe tiredness, headaches, nausea, frequent urination, and itchy skin appear. As the condition progresses, it could potentially lead to the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant. The best preventive measures include good blood glucose control, maintaining healthy blood pressure, avoiding smoking, and having a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise.