A kidney disease in which immunoglobulin A or IgA (a protein that fights against germs) builds up in the kidneys is called IgA nephropathy or Berger disease. This condition provokes inflammation of the kidneys and over time it may lead to their decreased function to filter blood.
However, a person with this condition will notice that it worsens often over years but the disease’s course varies among people. For instance, some can experience bloody urine only while others have serious complications (such as kidney failure). In other words, when kidneys do not work properly and cannot filter the blood on their own it is called kidney failure.
Unfortunately, there is no way to cure Berger’s disease but certain medications can prevent the condition from worsening and improve the symptoms and your quality of life. The treatment goal is to make the disease become inactive (remission). Moreover, reducing cholesterol levels and keeping under control blood pressure can slow down the disease.
Symptoms
This condition usually does not provoke symptoms early on. Some people do not experience symptoms for more than 10 years. In some cases, doctors identify symptoms of this condition during routine medical tests (such as protein and red blood cells in the urine). Check below some symptoms provoked by IgA nephropathy:
- Tea- or cola-colored urine due to blood but urine changes can also occur due to other health conditions including a cold, sore throat, or respiratory infection.
- Blood in the urine
- Proteinuria that provokes foamy urine
- Pain below ribs on both back sides
- Edema (swelling in the feet or hands)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Tiredness
- Weakness
Check below some symptoms if the disease progresses to kidney failure:
- Confusion
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Less appetite
- Vomiting
- Stomach upset
- Muscle cramps
- Rashes and itchy skin
If you do not get treatment, kidney failure is life-threatening. Dialysis or a kidney transplant can help to treat this condition and help people live for many more years.
In case you suspect you have this health condition or you experience any of the previous symptoms, immediately contact your healthcare professional.
Causes
The kidneys are a vital organ in the body that helps to filter blood from waste and other substances. These organs are located on each side of the spine. The filtering process occurs due to glomeruli (small blood vessels that contain each kidney). Thereafter, clear blood goes back into the bloodstream and waste passes into the bladder and out of the body.
A type of protein (immunoglobulin A or IgA) called an antibody is produced by the immune system to protect the body from infections and germs. Inflammation and reduced ability to filter the blood happens when IgA builds up in the glomeruli. However, healthcare professionals do not fully understand why it happens but they think the following factors could play a role. Examples include:
- Genes – This kidney condition usually begins in families and some ethnic groups including Asian and European descent.
- Liver disease – For example scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and chronic B and C hepatitis.
- Celiac disease
- Infections – For example, HIV infection, bacterial infections, and others.
Risk Factors
Although the exact cause of this condition is not known, the following factors could elevate your risk of developing it. For example:
- Sex – In North America and Western Europe, Berger’s disease impacts more men than women.
- Ethnicity – IgA nephropathy is more common in white people and descent of Asian people.
- Age – It mostly occurs in the mid-teens and mid-30s.
- Family history – This condition usually runs in families.
What Are The Possible Complications of Berger’s Disease?
While some people may not notice any health problems, others may experience the following complications. Examples include:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure) – This complication can do more damage to the kidneys despite IgA nephrosis affecting them.
- High cholesterol levels – People with high cholesterol are at higher risk of myocardial infarction.
- Acute kidney failure – Kidney function worsens very quickly if an IgA buildup happens. In such cases, doctors call this process rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.
- Chronic kidney disease – If you do not treat this condition, over time the kidney can stop working. Physicians usually recommend dialysis or a kidney transplant.
- Nephrotic syndrome – This is a group of health problems caused by glomeruli damage. These include increased cholesterol and lipids levels, low blood protein levels, increased urine protein levels, and swelling of the feet, stomach area, and eyelids.
How to Prevent IgA Nephropathy?
There is no way to prevent this kidney disease and if you have a family history of Berger’s disease, discuss it with your healthcare professional. Doctors can help you maintain kidneys healthy by reducing high blood pressure and keeping cholesterol levels under control.
Diagnosis
This condition is commonly diagnosed by doctors during a routine test or if you notice blood in the urine. However, doctors may perform some tests to confirm the condition. Examples include:
- Urine tests – Physicians will get a sample of the urine and send it to the laboratory for testing. This test helps doctors understand how well your kidneys work and how much protein they spill.
- Blood tests – These tests are done to determine levels of the waste products in the blood.
- Kidney biopsy – This is the most accurate test to determine whether you have IgA nephropathy or not. To perform this test, doctors will remove a small sample of the kidney and check it under a microscope.
- Iothalmate clearance test – It involves a contract agent that helps physicians see how well your kidneys are filtering.
Treatment
It is not possible to cure this condition and predict how much the condition will impact the kidneys. While some people need only regular medical tests to see if the disease worsens or not, others require medications to slow down the disease progression. Check below some medicines usually prescribed to treat IgA nephropathy:
- Hypertension medications – These include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).
- Immunosuppressants – Doctors usually prescribe this group of medicines to the patients to calm the immune system. These include corticosteroids and other strong medicines to reduce the activity of the immune system, which can help to lessen damage to the glomeruli. However, these medicines can cause serious adverse reactions including hypertension, increased blood sugar, and elevated risk of infection.
- Omega-3 fatty acids – These fats can help reduce inflammation in the glomeruli without adverse reactions. In any case, consult with your doctor before taking omega-3s oil supplements.
- Cholesterol medications – Sometimes, you may need cholesterol medications because they may reduce kidney damage.
- Diuretics – Commonly, prescribed by doctors to get rid of edema (swelling of the feet and hands).
Healthcare providers try to reduce the symptoms and prevent you from needing a kidney transplant or dialysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main symptom of Berger’s disease?
Blood in the urine (hematuria) is the primary symptom of this condition. However, you may need to do some tests to rule out other health conditions that provoke a similar symptom.
What health problem is usually mistaken for IgA nephropathy?
Most commonly, Alport syndrome is misdiagnosed as IgA nephropathy. However, doctors may also mistake it for other conditions. For example:
- Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
- Chronic kidney disease
- Thin basement membrane disease
Discuss with your doctor for more details.
What medicines should not be used by people with IgA nephropathy?
- Diabetes medicines
- Herbal supplements and vitamins
- Contrast dye
- Antacids
- Antibiotics
- Cholesterol medicines (statins)
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs)
Ask your physician if you have additional questions.
