Berger's disease, IgA Nephropathy
Berger’s Disease, IgA Nephropathy
It is a disease of kidney in which immunoglobin A (IgA) start accumulating in your kidneys and disturb the functions of kidney due to the local inflammatory rection. it is also known as Berger’s disease. It is a slow process develop after the years.
Symptoms
In initial stage it does not cause any sign and symptoms, but in later stages it produces symptoms which include:
- High blood pressure
- Proteinuria
- Pain in rib cage
- Cola or tea color urine
- Periorbital edema
Causes
The exact cause of increase production of immunoglobin A in not know yet but there are many causes which is associated with it which include:
- Viral or bacterial infection like HIV
- Genetic tendency
- Liver cirrhosis and hepatitis B and C
- Celiac disease
Complications
If left untreated it may cause the following complications:
- Chronic kidney disease and then renal failure.
- Nephrotic syndrome
- High blood pressure
- Acute kidney failure
- High cholesterol level increases the risk of heart disease.
Diagnosis
After taking history and conducting a physical examination your doctor may recommend the following test to diagnosis the disease:
- Blood test to check any infectious cause
- Insulin clearance test to evaluate the function of kidney
- Urine test to check the protein amount
- Kidney biopsy to confirm a diagnosis
Treatment
Treatment options include:
- Medication to control the high blood pressure like ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers.
- Immunosuppressants to suppress the over activate immune system.
- Omega-3 fatty acids to control the inflammation.
- Diuretic to control the blood pressure
- Statis therapy for cholesterol.