IgA Nephropathy (IgAN, or Berger's disease) is the most common glomerulonephritis found in the developed countries of the world. IgA is short for immunoglobulin A, an antibody which usually helps the body to fight infections and toxins invaded into the body. In IgA Nephropathy, IgA and immune complex (antibody+antigen) are deposited in the mesangial area of the kidneys.

Causes and risk factors

The disease can affect people an any age although it is more common in men. Caucasians and Asians also have a higher incidence of IgA kidney disease.

Generally, IgA Nephropathy occurs due to disordered immune system. In other cases, the disease can develop after a kid or young adult develop a viral infection of the upper respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts. In some cases, a genetic defect may be associated with the development of this renal disease.

Exams and Tests

• Conventional tests: urine test, blood test, and kidney biopsy.

• Immune special examination and diagnosis

- Kidney damage tests. Checking items include: UTP, U-malb, U-TRF, U-IGG, β 2-microglobulin, α1-microglobulin, α2-macroglobulin, κ light chain, λ light chain, U- NAG, U-GGT, and Uosm.

- Toxins in blood test. Checking items include: BUN, Creatinine, UA, β 2-microglobulin, Cyc C, RBP, HCY, and PTH.

- Hameturia position. Test results include glomerular hematuria, non-glomerular hematuria, and mixed hematuria.

- Tests for sub-group of lymphocysts. It contains 15 indexes to indicate the antibody conditions in your blood, such as CD4, CD8, NK cells, B cells, T Cells etc. Each of them can reflect a specific factor of your immune functions.

- Complement in blood serum test. This test include C3, C4, CH50, C3B, etc.

Outlook

20-40% of the patient progress to End Stage Kidney Failure about 20 years after the disease becomes apparent. Those who have elevated serum creatinine level at the time of their diagnosis are more prone to Chronic Kidney Failure. Generally speaking, a poor prognosis is expected for patients who have increased blood pressure, proteinuria (>2 g/day), and a significant amount of damage present in their biopsy specimen. For personalized analysis of your prognosis with this disease, feel free to Contact Us.

IgA Nephropathy usually doesn't cause symptoms in the early stages. The disease can go unnoticed for decades. When kidney function is impaired, signs and symptoms as below will occur.

• Hematuria, or Blood in Urine

This is the most common sign. In most cases, this is such a small amount of blood that it can not be seen and it can only be visible with the aid of a microscope.

Some individuals will actually be able to see blood in their urine. Typically, this happens in young people when they have a sore throat or chest infection. Less frequently, this happens with a gastrointestinal infection, strenuous exercise, or vaccination.

• Foamy or bubbly urine

This is due to Protein in Urine, or proteinuria. Proteinuria will usually start out heavy when the disease first appears. Like blood in urine, it can be exacerbated by respiratory or other illnesses, or even by emotional stress.

• Fatigue

The dominant complaint of most patients is of fatigue, which can be overwhelming. They may have problems such as a sore throat, headache, or some other problem.

• Flank pain

Many patients may suffer from bouts of flank pain, which can range from a dull ache in the back to debilitating spasms that make walking and rising difficult.

• High Blood Pressure

This is not usually found when IgA Nephropathy is first diagnosed, but it often develops in the course of this disease.

• Swelling, or edema

Swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, and other parts of the body is also a common sign caused by fluid retention.

Other symptoms may include frequent urination (especially at night), nausea, mood swings, becoming more susceptible to allergies, losing sensitivity to temperature change, etc.

If you have some of the above discomforts, see your doctor to discuss what might be causing them and corresponding treatment. Or, feel free to Contact Us.

We are committed to providing you with the most-advanced treatments for IgA Nephropathy with no side effect on your body. Your treatment here is customized specifically for you by one of the world's foremost teams of kidney experts.

Patients with IgA Nephropathy have better outcomes when they are treated at specialized Kidney Disease hospital where specialized nephrologists have more experience with this kidney disorder. We treat more patients than any other kidney center, which translates to a remarkable level of experience and expertise.

If you or your beloved one has been diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy, our kidney doctors will discuss the best treatment option. It depends on the severity of kidney damage. One or more of the therapies as below may be recommended to treat your kidney disease.

Blood Pollution Therapy

As the latest treatment for IgA Nephropathy, Blood Pollution Therapy is developed based on almost 30 years' researches and clinical practices. Apart from relieving the symptoms and preventing complications, this remedy can treat kidney disease fundamentally with no further relapse.

This most advanced treatment combines comprehensive blood purification methods with traditional and modern Chinese medicine. Treatment plan is made on the basis of an accurate diagnosed of each patient's condition.

To what extent can you recover with Blood Pollution Therapy? Feel free to make an appointment with our experts for evaluation.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is an integrated Chinese and western medicine treatment. It is very effective in treating auto-immune kidney diseases such as IgA Nephropathy.

This is a natural and safe treatment for patients at any age. As a holistic treatment, it can help patients restore the overall renal function and regulate the immune system. The treatment process includes six steps, and specific steps are taken according to personalized illness condition.

Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy

IgA Nephropathy is characterized with IgA proteins and immune complex deposits in the mesangial area of the kidneys. The disease often relapses, as conventional western medicines fail to eliminate these depositions out of the body.

Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy can treat IgA Nephropathy from the root cause by degrading and clearing up immune complexes out of the body. Moreover, effective Chinese medicine ingredients can function to promote blood circulation, inhibit inflammation, and reactivated the self-heal ability of the kidneys, thus recovering kidney function gradually.

Whether you are suitable to get this treatment? Feel free to Contact Us to get more personalized advice!

When you have IgA Nephropathy, your kidneys may no longer working as well as they need to. Changing your diet and living healthily can not only protect your kidneys, but also help prevent the disease getting worse. So, speak to your kidney doctor to make a good plan for your condition or make an appointment with our renowned kidney experts team for personalized advice!

▪ Special diet. Follow a low-salt diet (no more than 2,000 mg/day) is a good way to minimize stress of the kidneys and prevent extra fluid retention that would strain your heart. A vegetarian diet is recommended to some patients. In the later stages of Kidney Failure, patients need also restrict the intake of protein, potassium and phosphorus. If you are wondering what the best diet is for you, please feel free to Contact Us.

▪ Do not take medicines toxic to the kidneys. This includes such painkillers like Tylenol, Advil, Motrin and so on. All of these contain either ibuprofen or acetaminophen, both of which are nephrotoxic. If you are not sure whether the medications you are taking are harmful to your kidneys or not, feel free to consult our online doctor for free advice!

▪ Do proper exercises. Exercise is a good idea, and it is rare to have any limitations put on it. But it is advisable to keep an eye on how strenuous your physical activities are, particularly if they seem to be inducing blood in urine (hematuria).

▪ Get plenty of sleep. People who experience symptom of fatigue or tiredness are suggested to have more sleep than before they became ill.

▪ Avoid tobacco. Tobacco contains nicotine which constrict the blood vessels, raising pressure and affecting peripheral circulation.

▪ Avoid putting extra burden to your immune system. In IgA Nephropathy, the immune system is disordered, so it is essential to avoid putting unnecessary stress upon it. Minimize your exposure to things to which you are allergic and stay away from people who have coughs and colds, particularly during flu season.