Alport Syndrome: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Alport Syndrome does not have a definite treatment discovered till date. However, there are certain medications and treatments are used to control and monitor the symptoms which lead to the syndrome. Patient with Alport Syndrome need to be particular about controlling their blood pressure so as to keep their kidneys as healthy as they possibly can. Alport Syndrome does not only affect the kidneys but also causes hearing loss along with abnormalities in the eyes. People suffering from Alport Syndrome usually notice flow of blood in their urine.

Some researches show that certain medications like statins, ACE inhibitors and angiotensins can also help reduce proteinuria and the simultaneous progression of the kidney disease which is caused by Alport syndrome. Treatment of chronic kidney disease is however necessary. The need of transplantation or dialysis emerges when the kidney diseases eventually reaches the end stage. The kidney transplantation is usually successful, however, some patients complain about inflammation of the kidneys. If you are diagnosed with this condition and if it left untreated then you might suffer from hearing loss and certain visual problems. You might notice that your eyes are sensitive to bright light in a great way and they might eventually lead to partial or complete vision impairment.

There is no definite treatment for Alport syndrome. However, certain researches indicate angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors can be useful in reducing the progress of the kidney disease as well as proteinuria. Angiotensin-receptor blockers can also be used by patients who have Alport Syndrome. Proteinuria is decreased by both these drugs as it helps in decreasing the intraglomerular pressure. For pregnant women who are suffering from Alport syndrome, the progression of end stage renal disease happens faster as pregnancy accelerates the progress of the disease. The only method of reducing the progress of the kidney disease is by taking specific medications which help regulate the Alport syndrome as prescribed by the experts. The treatment procedure begins with a series of tests such as urine tests, blood tests, kidney biopsies, hearing and vision tests. These tests are performed to determine the severity and the cause of this condition and it also helps to determine the course of treatment that you need. ACE inhibitors are a common form of treatment for this condition. These ACE inhibitors help to reduce the excess protein levels in the urine and also help to eliminate the symptoms that you face. You can develop certain side effects from the course of treatment for which you need to seek the help of your medical expert.

Individuals who show signs and symptoms of the syndrome like, blood flow with the urine, swelling in the legs, ankle or feet, high blood pressure or even noticing protein in the urine should get themselves checked by medical practitioners to make sure of not having the syndrome.

Individuals who do not show any symptom of facing Alport Syndrome should avoid taking medication for the problem.

A dialysis for Alport syndrome or the final stage kidney transplant can have certain side effects. Taking medications may also show various side effects, however, the real reason for facing the side effects cannot be specifically pointed out. Some patients who go through the kidney transplantation complain of having inflamed kidneys after the transplant. Side effects which are associated to dialysis are feeling tired and exhausted, renal bone disease, insomnia and even cramping.

Patients who are suffering from Alport syndrome and are under certain medications or have gone through transplantation should avoid drinking a lot of fluids. Eating much fiber is also strictly prohibited as it might cause constipation.

The patients who have a kidney transplant get discharged after 2 weeks or even more. Some patients can get discharged in five days as well, depending on their progress and how healthy they feel. Patients need at least 7 weeks to get completely normal after this transplant. Patients however need regular checkups after the transplant.

A kidney transplant, which is the last option for Alport Syndrome patients, can cost anything between Rs 10 lakhs to 35 lakhs, depending of the medical facility you choose to get the treatment done from.

Since there is no definite treatment for Alport syndrome, patients can only try to regulate the progress of the kidney disease with the help of medications. The kidney transplant can help the patients feel better.