Nephropathy: types, symptoms, causes, treatment, etc.

Definition

What is nephropathy?

Nephropathy is a medical term used to define kidney damage or disease that can lead to kidney failure. The main function of the kidneys is to remove waste and excess fluid so that water and electrolytes in the body are balanced.

If there is a problem with the kidneys, of course this bean-shaped organ will not work properly and can cause serious health conditions.

Nephropathy is considered a disease that worsens the health condition of the sufferer if it is not treated immediately. Therefore, the sooner you become aware of damage to your kidneys, the sooner you will get treatment as early as possible.

Type

What are the types of nephropathy?

Nephropathy is a term used to describe kidney disease. However, there are several types of diseases that belong to the nephropathy group, which are as follows.

Diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy is a type of kidney disease that is a complication of diabetes. It is estimated that 20-40% of people with diabetes mellitus will experience diabetic nephropathy if blood sugar is not properly controlled.

If the sugar level spikes dramatically, the kidneys will work harder to filter the blood. Slowly, the ability of the kidneys will decrease and cause the nephrons to thicken, until they leak. As a result, protein, such as albumin, is also wasted in the urine, causing diabetic nephropathy.

Apart from uncontrolled blood sugar levels, there are various other factors that can increase the risk of diabetics experiencing this condition, including:

• high blood pressure,
• obesity or being overweight,
• have a history of type 1 diabetes before the age of 20, as well
• actively smoking.

Berger's Disease (IgA Nephropathy)

Berger's disease (IgA Nephropathy) is a type of kidney disease that occurs due to IgA buildup in the kidneys. This build-up of IgA causes inflammation that damages kidney tissue.

IgA is a protein-filled antibody made by the immune system to protect the body from foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. Antibodies that accumulate in the glomerulus eventually cause inflammation (glomerulonephritis). As a result, the kidney's ability is also reduced

Until now, it is not known what causes IgA buildup in the kidneys. However, there are various factors that are thought to be associated with the appearance of IgA nephropathy, including:

• genetic, IgA nephropathy is more common in certain families and races,
• a history of liver disease (liver), such as cirrhosis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C,
• Celiac disease, indigestion due to gluten consumption, as well
• dermatitis herpetiformis, itchy spots due to gluten intolerance.

This condition is a disease that is quite common and can occur at any age. However, the initial symptoms of IgA are usually not seen until the late 30s. In addition, Berger disease is also more susceptible to occur in Asians and Caucasians.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms?

Generally, the early stages of kidney damage don't show any signs. Symptoms of kidney disease usually appear and feel when the kidneys are no longer functioning optimally.

Most cases also indicate that you may not experience severe symptoms until the damage is at a late stage. Here are some symptoms of nephropathy that you need to be aware of, ranging from mild to really disrupting your daily activities.

• The color of urine turns brown, red, or blood red.
• There is blood in the urine (hematuria).
• Pain in the side of the back, precisely under the ribs.
• High blood pressure.
• Sudden increase in cholesterol and triglycerides.

There may be some symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about the symptoms of a certain disease, consult a doctor immediately.

When should I see a doctor?

Nephropathy is a kidney disease that is considered to be progressive and sometimes immediately presents with bothersome symptoms as kidney damage gets worse.

If you experience some of the symptoms below, consult a doctor because it is feared that kidney damage has reached a late stage.

• Swelling (edema) in the legs and calves due to fluid retention.
• Decreased appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Feel weak and tired all day long.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Experiencing sleep disturbances.

Cause

What are the causes?

Nephropathy is a kidney disease caused by damage to the kidneys due to certain factors. Here are some causes of nephropathy by type.

Diabetic nephropathy

People with diabetes usually have kidneys that slowly thicken and get damaged due to high blood sugar levels. As a result, nephron leakage occurs which also causes protein to enter the urine.

So far the cause of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is not known with certainty. However, hypertension is believed to play a role in causing this condition. This is because controlling blood pressure has been shown to reduce the progression of diabetes to nephropathy.

This condition may occur because high blood pressure can cause injury to the cells that line the surface of blood vessels and lymph (endothelium). As a result, blood flow to the kidneys is disrupted.

Therefore, high blood pressure and blood sugar levels are factors that cause kidney damage experienced by diabetics (people with diabetes).

Berger's Disease (IgA Nephropathy)

IgA nephropathy is a condition that is considered an autoimmune kidney disease. This means that the disease is caused by an immune system response that can damage the kidneys.

Patients with IgA nephropathy usually have high levels of IgA in their blood and contain less galactose (a special sugar) than usual. If IgA is deficient in galactose, these antibodies will be considered foreign by other antibodies in the blood.

As a result, other antibodies will stick to IgA that is deficient in galactose and form clots. These clots, called immune complexes, get stuck in the glomerulus and cause inflammation and damage.

For some people, Berger's disease runs in families. In fact, scientists have found several genetic markers that may trigger disease progression.

IgA nephropathy may also be associated with respiratory or intestinal infections and the immune system's response to these infections.

Analgesic nephropathy

Analgesic nephropathy is a chronic kidney disease caused by long-term, excessive consumption of a mixture of analgesic drugs.

Usually, analgesic drugs containing fenasetin, salicylic acid-paracetamol, and paracetamol-pyrazolone trigger this condition. However, the drug does not work alone because it is combined with addictive substances, such as codeine and caffeine.

Medicine and medication

How to treat this disease?

If nephropathy, both diabetic nephropathy and Berger's disease, is diagnosed early, some medications and treatments can reduce the progression of kidney disease.

The following are some nephropathy treatments that are done to reduce kidney damage to be worse based on the type.

Diabetic nephropathy

The first step taken by doctors to treat diabetic nephropathy is to control diabetes. In addition, blood pressure is also monitored to reduce the risk of complications of kidney disease.

Here are some medicines that doctors usually give to control glucose and blood pressure in people with DN.

• Cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins.
• ACE enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor (ARB) inhibitors.
• Medicines to control blood sugar levels, such as metformin and gliptin.
• Medication to help regulate calcium phosphate balance.

In addition to the drugs above, diabetic nephropathy also undergoes a number of certain treatments when kidney damage has reached its final stages, namely:

• dialysis,
• kidney transplant, or
• palliative care to relieve symptoms experienced.

IgA nephropathy

Until now, experts have not found a drug that can cure IgA nephropathy. The reason is, the injury to the kidney tends to be irreparable.

Even so, the doctor will provide drugs and treatment to delay the development of kidney disease as follows.

• Medicines to control blood pressure.
• Omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation in the glomerulus.
• Corticosteroid drugs, such as prednisone to suppress the immune response.
• Statin therapy that lowers cholesterol.
• Mycophenolate mofetil.

The main goal of IgA nephropathy treatment is so that the patient does not need to undergo dialysis (dialysis) or a kidney transplant. However, as the condition worsens, both options may be necessary.

How to diagnose this condition?

After seeing a general practitioner, your doctor may refer you to a urologist. Then, the doctor will perform various kidney examinations, such as:

• urinalysis, such as a microalbuminuria urine test,
• a blood test to detect the level of urea nitrogen in the blood,
• creatinine test, and
• kidney biopsy.

If the results of the examination are abnormal, your doctor may examine your condition further. That way, the care team can offer a number of treatments that suit your condition.

Home remedies

What needs to be done when diagnosed with this disease?

Actually, there are several ways you can do to support the doctor's nephropathy treatment. That way, you may be able to carry out your usual activities because you are trying to keep your kidneys healthy.

• Control blood pressure and blood sugar.
• Follow a healthy diet by avoiding dietary restrictions for kidney disease as recommended by your doctor.
• Avoid using drugs that can damage the kidneys.
• Exercise routine recommended by a doctor.
• Pay attention to the need for fluids in accordance with kidney conditions.

If you have further questions, please consult a doctor for the right solution.