IgA nephropathy: Causes, signs, and treatment

Several diseases can affect your kidney function to a significant level by damaging glomeruli and nephrons. Nephrons and glomeruli are the small blood capillaries inside the kidneys where the blood is filtered. The condition that damages the glomeruli are called glomerular diseases. There are many different causes of glomeruli diseases, such as IgA nephropathy. Immunoglobulin nephropathy causes chronic kidney disease as it progresses over the years. Ultimately, it leads to end-stage renal failure in the later stages. The best treatment approach includes IgA nephropathy treatment in Ayurveda, while other strategic approaches are dialysis and transplant.

What is IgA nephropathy?
IgA nephropathy or immunoglobulin nephropathy is a Berger’s disease resulting because of IgA buildup in the kidneys. This IgA, which is a type of antibody that causes inflammation and ultimately destroys the tissues. IgA is produced by a healthy immune system so as to protect the body against foreign invaders, be it bacteria or viruses. IgA nephropathy may affect a person differently. Some people may have blood loss along with urine without any severe signs of IgA, other sets of people may achieve remission or perhaps develop end-stage renal disease.

How does IgA nephropathy affect the kidneys?
IgA nephropathy alters kidney function by damaging the small blood vessels in the kidneys. The glomeruli, which are the tiny loops of blood vessels, help remove the wastes and toxin substances from the blood. The buildup of IgA causes inflammation due to which the kidneys leak and protein leak along with the urine. The other way IgA destroys kidney function is by scarring the nephrons. Eventually, when nephrons and glomeruli are not working properly, a person develops end-stage renal failure. It is better to adopt IgA nephropathy treatment in Ayurveda to get better with time.

What causes immunoglobulin nephropathy?
As of now, there is no exact cause known for IgA though scientists believe it to be an autoimmune disease. It means the disease is caused due to the body affecting itself.  Those with IgA nephropathy have an increased blood IgA level with too little sugar called galactose. This condition is not identified by other antibodies in the body; as a result, they start to attach themselves to this sugar deficit IgA and produce lumps. These lumps are called immune complexes. During IgA nephropathy, these clumps stick in the nephrons and glomeruli and hamper the kidney’s ability to function properly.

In less known cases, IgA nephropathy also runs in families. They are genetic markers that play a role in the occurrence of IgA. Some other causes may also correlate to respiratory or intestinal infection and the immune system’s response to these infections.

What are the signs and symptoms of IgA nephropathy?

Each individual may respond differently to IgA nephropathy and have signs or symptoms dissimilar to others. Consult your healthcare provider to know teh ways to diagnose if you are witnessing:

● Hematuria: It is blood in the urine that can sometimes make it dark brown or cola-colored.
● Proteinuria: Foamy or frothy urine due to large amounts of protein going into your urine.
● High blood pressure: Blood pressure that is hard to manage and occur frequently.
● Pain: Pain in one or both sides of the back, below the ribs.
● Edema: Swelling in the lower extremities or around the face and eyes.

When to see a doctor
Fix your appointment with your doctor as soon as you see blood in the urine. Blood in the urine can be possibly due to various causes, but repeated instances might indicate kidney damage. Likely, it is kidney disease if the blood in the urine is followed by swelling in the hands or feet. Ask for IgA nephropathy treatment in Ayurveda to your healthcare provider.

How common is IgA nephropathy, and who gets the disease?
IgA nephropathy is a common form of chronic kidney disease which is not caused by diabetes or high blood pressure.

It can develop at any age, though mostly, instances are prevalent in people in their late 30s. It is also believed that IgA is more common in men than in women.

People are more likely to develop IgA nephropathy if:

● they have a family history of IgA nephropathy or IgA vasculitis
● they are a male in their late 30s

Consult Karma Ayurveda for more information on the treatment.

IgA nephropathy treatment in Ayurveda
Ayurveda is completely a natural therapy to improve renal insufficiency and dissolve the IgA buildup in the kidneys. It ensures that kidney function remains stable and you do not need dialysis later in life.

About This Author

Vipin Sharma I work to spread awareness about kidney-related problems. Joined: May 11th, 2020