IgA Nephropathy: Causes, Symptoms, Daignosis, Prevention and Treatment

1
IgA Nephropathy
2
What is IgA nephropathy?

• IgA nephropathy is a chronic kidney disease.
  This disease progresses over 10 to 20 years, and
  can lead to end-stage renal disease. It is caused
  by deposits of the protein immunoglobulin A (IgA)
  inside the filters (glomeruli) in the
  kidney.Generally these glomeruli filter waste
  and extra water from the blood and send them to
  the bladder as urine. Though, the IgA protein
  prevents this filtering process. This may lead to
  the following
• Blood and protein in the urine (hematuria and
  proteinuria)
• Swelling in the hands and feet (edema)

3
What causes IgA nephropathy?

• The IgA protein is a normal part of the human
  body's immune system. It is not known what causes
  IgA deposits in the glomeruli. In more than 15
  of affected families, it is inherited.Some
  people who inherit the gene may not have any
  symptoms, but could pass the gene on. Men are
  affected more often than women.

4
How is IgA nephropathy diagnosed?

• Your doctor will review your medical history and
  do a physical exam. Other tests may include
• Blood pressure checks
• Cholesterol test
• Checking for protein in the urine
• Checking for protein in the blood
• Kidney biopsy (to identify IgA deposits). To
  perform this test, a sample of kidney tissue is
  extracted and examined under a microscope.

5
What are the symptoms of IgA nephropathy?

• IgA nephropathy is a silent disease that can go
  inherited for years. It can occur at any age, but
  symptoms most often start before the age of
  40.The most common symptom is blood in the
  urine (hematuria). This condition takes many
  years to progress to the stage where it causes
  problems. These further includes swelling,
  recurrent upper respiratory infections, or
  intestinal disease.People with IgA nephropathy
  may also have flank pain and a low fever. Very
  rarely, blood pressure can become dangerously
  high. 

6
What is the treatment for IgA nephropathy?

• Your doctor will figure out the best treatment
  based on
• How old you are
• Your overall health and past health
• How sick you are
• How well you can handle specific medicines,
  procedures, or therapies
• How long will the condition last
• Your opinion or preference

7
What is the treatment for IgA nephropathy?
Continue

• Treatment may include
• Medicines
• Blood pressure medicines, like ACE inhibitors -
  These medicines help in lowering down the blood
  pressure and protect the kidneys. They also help
  to prevent protein loss in the urine. Pregnant
  women should not take these medicines.
• Corticosteroids - These reduce inflammation and
  scar tissue inside of the kidney.
• Prescription strength fish oil - This helps to
  reduce inflammation and damage within the kidney

8
What is the treatment for IgA nephropathy?
Continue

• Cholesterol-lowering medicines such as statins -
  People with kidney damage are at a higher risk
  for stroke and heart attack. Controlling
  cholesterol can help reduce the risk for both.
• Other treatments
• Diet changes to reduce fat and cholesterol. These
  can cause build-up of plaque in the kidney
  arteries and further damage to the kidneys.
• Stop smoking
• Exercise and maintaining a normal body weight
• High fluid intake

9
CONNECT WITH US

• Logon to
• www.lazoi.com
• Like us on Facebook
• https//www.facebook.com/LazoiTheLife
• Follow us on Twitter
• https//www.twitter.com/lazoithelife
• Follow us on Pinterest
• https//www.in.pinterest.com/lazoithelife