IgA Nephropathy - Causes & Symptoms!

IgA nephropathy is also called Berger’s disease. This kidney disease happens when your body produces too much of the antibody immunoglobulin A (IgA) and it builds up in the kidneys. As a result, the kidneys swell up and eventually, affect the functionality of these organs. The progression of the illness is slow but relentless. The pace depends from one person to the next.

What are the symptoms of IgA nephropathy?

In the very early stages, IgA nephropathy does not reveal any symptoms. In the later stages, you may experience these signs –

• Urine that is the colour of tea (because of the presence of red blood cells)
• Frequent urination
• Traces of blood in the urine
• The urine may also be foamy because IgA nephropathy causes proteins to seep into the urine
• High blood pressure
• Backache (usually below the rib cage)
• Swelling of the hands and feet

What causes IgA nephropathy?

Immunoglobulin is vital for your body’s defence mechanism. It hunts down and destroys pathogens that have entered the system. But sometimes, too much of immunoglobulin A is produced and it collects in the glomeruli that are responsible for filtering your blood and sending the toxic wastes to the bladder for expulsion. The accumulated immunoglobulin A does not allow the kidneys to do their job.

However, the exact cause that triggers the overabundance of IgA is not known. Scientists believe that the following could be the reasons for IgA nephropathy –

• Genetic flaws (it is a hereditary condition)
• Celiac disease
• Different liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C
• Bacterial infections including HIV

Apart from these, the factors that raise your chances of contracting IgA nephropathy include –

Gender- men are more likely to get this illness than women

Ethnicity- it is more common in Asians and Caucasians than other ethnic groups

Age of the person- a person is likely to come down with this disorder between the teen years and the late 30s/early 40s

There is no cure for IgA nephropathy. Treatment seeks to control the symptoms and prevent the escalation of the illness or stop future complications.

You will also be recommended to eat fatty fishes that are loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids, which have the capacity to reduce kidney inflammation. Moreover, you will have to cut down on proteins and constantly monitor your blood pressure.

IgA nephropathy cannot be prevented, as it is a hereditary disorder. If someone in your family who you are linked to by blood has this disease, talk to a doctor to know how you can keep your kidneys healthy.