One of the most common causes of kidney disease is diabetes mellitus, and the damage to the kidneys is called “diabetic nephropathy”. Diabetes causes damage to the filtering units (glomeruli) in the kidneys. Over time, these filtering units swell and scar. Scarring of the filtering units cannot be felt directly, but can be inferred from blood and urine tests, and from an ultrasound.
Occasionally, a kidney biopsy may be needed to confirm the scarring and the extent of damage. Treatment of diabetic nephropathy generally involves close monitoring and control of blood sugar levels.