Iga Nephropathy

IgA nephropathy, also called Berger disease, is a condition that affects the kidneys. It happens when a protein your body uses to fight germs, called immunoglobulin A (IgA), builds up in your kidneys. This buildup causes swelling and inflammation. Over time, this makes it harder for your kidneys to filter waste from your blood.

This disease often gets worse gradually over many years. However, how it affects people varies greatly. Some people might only notice blood in their urine, without other problems. Others might have issues like losing kidney function or having protein leak into their urine. In more severe cases, the kidneys may stop working properly, leading to kidney failure. This means the kidneys can no longer effectively remove waste from the body.

Unfortunately, there's no cure for IgA nephropathy. But medications can help slow its progression. Treatments are often used to reduce the inflammation, prevent protein from leaking into the urine, and keep the kidneys working as well as possible. These treatments sometimes help the disease become inactive, which is called remission. Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels can also help slow the disease's progression.

IgA nephropathy is a kidney disease that often doesn't show any signs in the early stages. You might not feel sick for 10 years or more. Sometimes, routine tests like a urine test will show problems, such as protein or blood cells in your urine.

When IgA nephropathy does cause symptoms, they can include:

• Colored urine: Your urine might look like tea or cola, because of the blood in it. This is sometimes seen after a cold, sore throat, or other respiratory infection.
• Visible blood in urine: You might see blood in your urine.
• Foamy urine: Protein leaking into your urine can make your urine look foamy. This is called proteinuria.
• Back pain: You might feel pain on one or both sides of your back, below your ribs.
• Swelling: Swelling in your hands and feet (edema) is another potential symptom.
• High blood pressure: High blood pressure can be a sign of the disease.
• Weakness and tiredness: Feeling weak and tired can also be a symptom.

If IgA nephropathy gets worse and leads to kidney failure, the symptoms can include:

• Skin problems: Rashes and itchy skin.
• Muscle cramps: Muscle pain and cramping.
• Upset stomach: Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
• Metallic taste: A strange metallic taste in your mouth.
• Confusion: Difficulty thinking clearly.

Kidney failure is a serious condition that needs treatment. Dialysis or a kidney transplant can help people live longer.

Important: If you notice any of these symptoms, it's crucial to see your doctor right away. Blood in your urine can be a sign of other health problems too. If you have blood in your urine, or swelling, and it doesn't go away, you need medical attention. Don't ignore these signs.

If you're worried you might have IgA nephropathy, it's important to see a doctor. A key sign is blood in your urine. Many things can cause blood in the urine, but if it's persistent or won't go away, it could be a sign of a serious kidney problem. Seeing a doctor is also a good idea if you notice your hands or feet suddenly swelling up. This swelling could be a symptom of a variety of conditions, but it's a good idea to get it checked out if it's new or doesn't disappear. Don't delay in seeking medical attention if you have concerns about these symptoms.

Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs, about the size of your fist, located on either side of your spine in your lower back. Inside each kidney are tiny, filtering structures called glomeruli. These glomeruli act like tiny sieves, separating waste products, extra water, and other unwanted substances from your blood. The cleaned blood flows back into your body, while the waste products are collected and eventually leave your body as urine.

A special protein called immunoglobulin A (IgA), often called an antibody, is a key part of your immune system. Your body produces IgA to fight off infections and germs. In IgA nephropathy, however, too much IgA builds up in the glomeruli. This buildup causes swelling and inflammation in the kidneys. Over time, this inflammation damages the glomeruli, making them less able to filter waste properly.

Scientists haven't pinpointed the exact cause of this IgA buildup in the kidneys. However, several factors might be linked to it:

• Genetics: IgA nephropathy tends to run in families and is more common in certain ethnic groups, including people of Asian and European descent. This suggests that your genes might play a role.

• Liver Problems: Conditions like cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and chronic hepatitis B or C infections can be connected to IgA nephropathy. The liver and kidneys work closely together, and problems in one can sometimes affect the other.

• Celiac Disease: Celiac disease is a digestive condition triggered by eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. If you have celiac disease, your immune system may react abnormally to gluten, potentially affecting your kidneys as well.

• Infections: Certain infections, such as HIV and some bacterial infections, might increase the risk of developing IgA nephropathy. The body's response to these infections could contribute to the buildup of IgA in the kidneys.

IgA nephropathy, a kidney disease, has an unclear cause. However, several factors might increase your chances of developing it.

Gender: In North America and Western Europe, men are at least twice as likely to get IgA nephropathy as women. This difference in risk isn't fully understood.

Race/Ethnicity: People of white or Asian descent are more likely to develop IgA nephropathy than Black people. Scientists are still researching why this is the case.

Age: Most people develop IgA nephropathy between their mid-teens and mid-30s. While this is the typical age range, it can occur at other times in life as well.

Family history: If someone in your family has IgA nephropathy, you might have a higher risk of getting it too. This suggests a possible genetic link, but more research is needed to understand this connection.

IgA nephropathy affects people differently. Some people have it for a long time without any noticeable problems, and many people are never diagnosed. However, others may experience complications.

High Blood Pressure: IgA nephropathy can damage the kidneys, which can lead to high blood pressure. This, in turn, can further damage the kidneys. High blood pressure is a serious condition that needs to be managed.

High Cholesterol: Kidney damage from IgA nephropathy can sometimes raise cholesterol levels. High cholesterol increases the risk of heart problems, such as heart attacks.

Acute Kidney Failure: If the kidneys aren't filtering blood properly because of IgA buildup, waste products can quickly build up in the blood. This can lead to acute kidney failure. If kidney function declines rapidly, doctors may call it rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. This is a serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.

Chronic Kidney Disease: Over time, IgA nephropathy can cause the kidneys to gradually stop working. When this happens, treatments like dialysis or a kidney transplant may be necessary to stay alive.

Nephrotic Syndrome: IgA nephropathy can damage the tiny filters in the kidneys (glomeruli). This damage can cause a group of problems known as nephrotic syndrome. These problems may include: high levels of protein in the urine, low levels of protein in the blood, high cholesterol and fat levels, and swelling in the eyelids, feet, and belly.