The kidneys are one of the most important organs in our body. Like a water filter, the kidneys' main job is to filter the waste products in our blood and excrete them as urine . But sometimes this delicate filter system can be damaged. Today, we are going to talk about a slightly complicated condition that affects the kidneys, but one that we should all be aware of. That is IgA Nephropathy .
What exactly is IgA Nephropathy?
Simply put, IgA Nephropathy is a condition in which part of our own immune system damages the kidneys.
Think about it this way. Immunoglobulin A, or IgA for short, is a type of protein that our immune system makes to fight germs in our bodies. Normally, this IgA protein helps us. But in the body of someone with IgA Nephropathy, these IgA proteins clump together and form small clumps. In medical terms, we call these ``immune complexes''.
These protein clumps travel with the blood and get stuck in the tiny filters in the kidneys, called glomeruli. These filters are where our blood is actually cleaned. So when those IgA protein clumps get stuck in these filters, inflammation occurs in those places, and gradually those delicate filters start to get damaged. Due to this damage, the kidneys are unable to filter the blood properly. That is what we call IgA Nephropathy.
What are the symptoms of this disease?
One of the characteristics of IgA Nephropathy is that it can sometimes remain hidden within the body for years without showing any symptoms . However, as the disease progresses, the following symptoms may appear:
| Symptom | The way you can feel or see |
|---|---|
| Blood in the urine (Hematuria) | Your urine may appear pink, red, or cola-colored. Sometimes this is not visible to the naked eye and can only be detected with a urine test. |
| Proteinuria (protein in the urine) | If you seem to be making more foam than usual when you urinate, it could be because you are passing protein with the urine. |
| Swelling of hands, feet and face (Edema) | When the kidneys are unable to properly filter and remove water, that water accumulates in the body and causes swelling in the hands, feet, ankles, and face. |
| High Blood Pressure | When the kidneys are damaged, it can affect the way they control blood pressure, causing high blood pressure. For some people, this is the first symptom they notice. |
Why is this happening? What is the reason?
In fact, there is no specific reason why the immune system behaves this way and IgA proteins start to accumulate in the kidneys. But there are a few things that doctors believe:
- Genetic influence : This disease can run in families to some extent. This means that if someone in your family has the disease, you may be at some risk of developing it too.
- Environmental factors: It is believed that certain infections, such as throat infections or intestinal infections, may exacerbate this condition or cause it to appear in the first place.
Is this disease dangerous? What are the possible complications?
IgA Nephropathy is a chronic kidney disease . This means that it develops slowly over time (sometimes 10-20 years). Not everyone gets severe kidney disease. However, in some people, kidney damage gradually increases and can eventually lead to end-stage kidney disease .
Since this is a slowly developing disease, early detection and proper treatment can go a long way toward preventing serious complications.
If the kidneys fail completely, you will need to undergo dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. Therefore, this disease is not something to be taken lightly.
How is it treated?
The first thing we need to understand is that the filters (glomeruli) in the kidneys that are damaged by this disease cannot be repaired . Therefore, the main goal of treatment is to slow down the progression of the disease and control any complications that may arise.
Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments based on your condition.
Lifestyle Changes
- Controlling high blood pressure : This is the most important thing. The higher the pressure, the greater the damage to the kidneys. Therefore, it is imperative to control the pressure by using the medication prescribed by the doctor exactly.
- Diet: Depending on your doctor's advice, you may be asked to limit the amount of protein in your diet. Reducing salt intake is also very good for blood pressure.
- Weight control: Obesity can increase protein excretion from the kidneys (proteinuria) and increase kidney damage. Therefore, it is very important to lose weight.
- Avoid smoking: Smoking directly damages the delicate blood vessels in the kidneys. Therefore, if you smoke, it is essential to stop it completely.
Medication
In addition to lifestyle changes, the doctor may prescribe various medications depending on the severity of the disease.
- Blood pressure medications.
- Medications such as steroids reduce inflammation and damage to the kidneys.
- Immunosuppressant drugs that control the function of the immune system.
- Recently introduced `biologic` drugs.
All of this is determined by your doctor. So be sure to talk to your doctor and follow his or her instructions exactly. If you have symptoms or are in any doubt about this, seek medical advice immediately.
Take-Home Message
- IgA Nephropathy is a chronic disease in which our own immune system damages the kidneys.
- The main symptoms include urine discoloration (red/brown), foamy urine, swelling of the limbs, and high blood pressure.
- The damage done to the kidneys by this disease cannot be reversed. Treatment only controls the progression of the disease.
- Controlling blood pressure, eating a healthy diet, weight control, and avoiding smoking are essential for managing the disease.
- If you have any of these symptoms or are in any doubt about them, never ignore them. See your doctor as soon as possible for advice.
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