IgA nephropathy or Berger’s Disease, is a kidney disorder that arises when IgA settles in the kidneys. More specifically, when the IgA protein accumulates or clumps in the small blood vessels of the kidney, triggering inflammation which damages the glomeruli tissue (Mayo Clinic). Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located on the posterior abdominal wall. One of the kidneys main functions is to filter toxic waste from the blood; the glomeruli play an important role in this process. The more IgA that damages the glomeruli, the more it forces the kidneys to lose its ability to clear waste.
IgA is an immunoglobulin or antibody developed by the immune system that helps fight infections within our body. It is produced in the mucous, saliva, …show more content…
As the years pass for an individual with this disease, the kidneys start to show signs of damage and can lead to End-Stage Renal Disease. Symptoms of kidney failure include, nausea, fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, and swelling in hand and feet (Cleveland Clinic). Damage and scarring that occurs to the kidneys is indeed permanent and if it becomes too severe could require a transplant.
The kidneys are irreparable once scarred and so the ultimate goal is to treat such a disease by relieving the symptoms and preventing chronic renal failure. An individual that has IgA nephropathy usually has high blood pressure. This can be monitored by two medications that help lower blood pressure and slow the disease, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (NIDDK).
IgA nephropathy is one of the most common diseases of the kidney and can happen at any age, even in children. It affects men more than women and resides more in Caucasians and Asians. Scientists have not found what causes IgA to inflame the glomeruli within the kidney but they believe it may be genetic or connected to respiratory infections. “No consistent trigger for the disease has been found” (Cleveland …show more content…
When this disease reaches an advanced stage, dangerous fluid levels can occur, with electrolytes and waste build up in the body. Inhibiting the kidneys from their ability to filter and remove toxins causes complications like high blood pressure and diabetes. Diabetes occurs with extremely high blood sugar levels that can cause many complications in the body. Some complications include; blindness, heart disease and kidney failure.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is due to increased pressure against the walls of capillaries. If not controlled properly this high blood pressure can result in a heart attack, stroke or chronic kidney failure (CKF). Glomerulonephritis (IgA nephropathy), Malformation, Lupus, and urinary infections are all other conditions that affect our kidneys and can build up to chronic kidney disease over time. Many individuals don’t have severe symptoms until the disease advances. Such symptoms include; trouble concentrating, fatigue, loss of appetite, swollen feet and ankles, itchy skin, muscle cramping at night and frequently urinating at night. These symptoms are associated with the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) which is a measurement of your level of kidney function and determines your stage of kidney
IgA is an immunoglobulin or antibody developed by the immune system that helps fight infections within our body. It is produced in the mucous, saliva, …show more content…
As the years pass for an individual with this disease, the kidneys start to show signs of damage and can lead to End-Stage Renal Disease. Symptoms of kidney failure include, nausea, fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, and swelling in hand and feet (Cleveland Clinic). Damage and scarring that occurs to the kidneys is indeed permanent and if it becomes too severe could require a transplant.
The kidneys are irreparable once scarred and so the ultimate goal is to treat such a disease by relieving the symptoms and preventing chronic renal failure. An individual that has IgA nephropathy usually has high blood pressure. This can be monitored by two medications that help lower blood pressure and slow the disease, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (NIDDK).
IgA nephropathy is one of the most common diseases of the kidney and can happen at any age, even in children. It affects men more than women and resides more in Caucasians and Asians. Scientists have not found what causes IgA to inflame the glomeruli within the kidney but they believe it may be genetic or connected to respiratory infections. “No consistent trigger for the disease has been found” (Cleveland …show more content…
When this disease reaches an advanced stage, dangerous fluid levels can occur, with electrolytes and waste build up in the body. Inhibiting the kidneys from their ability to filter and remove toxins causes complications like high blood pressure and diabetes. Diabetes occurs with extremely high blood sugar levels that can cause many complications in the body. Some complications include; blindness, heart disease and kidney failure.
High blood pressure (hypertension) is due to increased pressure against the walls of capillaries. If not controlled properly this high blood pressure can result in a heart attack, stroke or chronic kidney failure (CKF). Glomerulonephritis (IgA nephropathy), Malformation, Lupus, and urinary infections are all other conditions that affect our kidneys and can build up to chronic kidney disease over time. Many individuals don’t have severe symptoms until the disease advances. Such symptoms include; trouble concentrating, fatigue, loss of appetite, swollen feet and ankles, itchy skin, muscle cramping at night and frequently urinating at night. These symptoms are associated with the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) which is a measurement of your level of kidney function and determines your stage of kidney