Why doesn't IgA nephropathy cause swelling?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on September 02, 2024
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IgA nephropathy refers to the abnormal deposition of IgA immunoglobulin in the glomeruli of patients, which causes an inflammatory response and damages the glomerular capillaries. The extent of this damage varies, so not all patients will experience swelling. If the condition is severe, causing significant proteinuria, patients may develop hypoproteinemia and consequent decrease in plasma colloidal osmotic pressure, leading to swelling. If renal failure has occurred, the kidneys' ability to excrete water decreases, which can also cause swelling. Some patients may experience swelling due to damage to the renal tubules, which increases the reabsorption capacity for water. Otherwise, patients may not show obvious swelling, such as those with only mild proteinuria and hematuria, whose clinical symptoms are not pronounced.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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IgA kidney disease symptoms

IgA nephropathy is characterized by the deposition of IgA in the glomerular mesangial regions and is a common type of glomerulonephritis. It is also a major cause of uremia. IgA nephropathy typically affects adolescents. Once diagnosed, patients primarily experience recurrent macroscopic hematuria, especially after skin infections or respiratory infections, during which blood in the urine becomes more apparent. Of course, there can also be asymptomatic hematuria and increased urinary protein. Some patients with IgA nephropathy may also experience edema, particularly in the eyelids and facial area upon waking up in the morning, and in severe cases, there may be an increase in blood pressure and a decline in kidney function. It is essential for patients with IgA nephropathy to have regular follow-ups to monitor changes in routine urine tests, kidney function, and blood pressure, and to seek active treatment if the condition worsens.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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IgA kidney disease causes

IgA nephropathy is a type of chronic nephritis. Patients with this disease have inflammatory reactions within their glomeruli. This inflammation is caused by the deposition of IgA immune complexes in the glomeruli. The reason why patients are prone to IgA immune complex deposition is still not very clearly explained in current medical literature and remains unclear. It is possible that such patients produce defective IgA immunoglobulins, often related to mucosal inflammatory infections, such as tonsillitis, enteritis, proctitis, etc. Inflammation of these mucosal areas might cause defective secretory IgA to circulate through the bloodstream to the kidneys, triggering an inflammatory response. The production of defective IgA immunoglobulins in patients may be related to genetic and environmental factors, but the specific mechanism is still not very clear.

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IgA nephropathy manifestations

IgA nephropathy is a pathological type of chronic glomerulonephritis. The clinical manifestations of this disease are diverse, with the typical clinical presentation of IgA nephropathy being hematuria, especially visible hematuria following a cold. However, patients may also exhibit other features, such as significant amounts of urinary protein. In some cases, this can reach the level of 3.5g in a 24-hour urine protein quantification. Patients may experience edema, such as swelling in the lower limbs, eyelids, etc. There could also be clinical presentations of high blood pressure, rapid progression of renal failure, and other symptoms.

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Can IgA nephropathy patients eat watermelon?

IgA nephropathy is a chronic glomerulonephritis with varying degrees of severity and diverse clinical manifestations. Whether patients can eat watermelon depends on their kidney function and the presence of edema symptoms. If patients have kidney failure and noticeable edema, it is advised that they avoid eating watermelon, as it contains a significant amount of potassium ions. Consuming watermelon may lead to hyperkalemia due to the intake of large amounts of potassium ions. The main component of watermelon is water, and if patients have noticeable symptoms of edema, eating watermelon may exacerbate these symptoms and even cause issues like hypertension. If patients do not have noticeable edema and their kidney function is normal, eating small amounts of watermelon should not be a major concern.

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What will happen if someone with IgA nephropathy stays up late?

IgA nephropathy is a very common glomerular disease in clinical settings and is one of the main causes of uremia. IgA nephropathy is most commonly seen in adolescents, particularly in males. The cause of IgA nephropathy is currently unclear, but the clinical manifestations of patients with IgA nephropathy are numerous and vary in severity. For patients with milder IgA nephropathy, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, avoid staying up late, overworking, and infections. Frequently staying up late can aggravate the condition, leading to significant proteinuria and even worsening kidney function. Therefore, it is crucial for patients with IgA nephropathy to regularly monitor their urinalysis, kidney function, and blood pressure, maintain a regular lifestyle, and avoid various adverse lifestyle impacts. Of course, once the condition worsens, it is important to seek medical attention promptly and pursue active treatment.