Can IgA nephropathy patients eat watermelon?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on September 21, 2024
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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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Written by Niu Yan Lin
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Can patients with IgA nephropathy eat peaches?

Patients with IgA nephropathy vary greatly in the severity of their condition, and whether they can eat peaches depends on their individual disease state. If a patient does not have increased creatinine levels and no edema, they can eat peaches like a normal person without any restrictions on quantity. If the patient has increased creatinine levels, they need to control the amount of peaches they consume. This is because, in patients with elevated creatinine, the glomerular filtration rate is decreased, and a decrease in glomerular filtration rate can lead to an inability to expel excess potassium ions from the body. Peaches are a fruit with a high potassium content, and if such patients consume too many peaches, it can lead to hyperkalemia. Mild cases may experience weakness and numbness in the limbs, while severe cases can lead to potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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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.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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How is IgA nephropathy caused?

IgA nephropathy is a common glomerular disease and a major cause of uremia. However, the exact cause of IgA nephropathy is not very clear. Current research suggests that it is caused by factors such as infections which stimulate the production of autoantibodies, forming immune complexes that deposit in the glomeruli. This leads to inflammation of the glomeruli, eventually stimulating mesangial cell proliferation and accumulation of extracellular matrix, causing glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. IgA nephropathy is a very covert disease, often presenting as asymptomatic hematuria or increased urine protein. Many patients discover this condition incidentally during physical examinations. Some individuals have a history of upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infections before the onset of the disease, followed by the discovery of gross hematuria. IgA nephropathy is more common in children and adolescents.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Can patients with IgA nephropathy have sexual intercourse?

Patients with IgA nephropathy can engage in sexual intercourse, but there are certain prerequisites. Firstly, this disease is not contagious, and it will not be transmitted to the partner during intercourse. Secondly, there is not a significant relationship between renal function and sexual capability; patients with kidney diseases typically retain normal sexual and reproductive functions. However, since sexual activity requires a certain amount of physical strength, and in cases where the patient's condition is particularly severe, it might render the patient unable to engage in sexual activities. Therefore, if the patient does not have significant hypertension, severe edema, especially genital edema, pulmonary edema, or heart failure, they would be capable of engaging in sexual activities, and thus can have intercourse.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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IgA nephropathy is a kidney disease.

In medical terms, there is a condition named IgA nephropathy. IgA is actually a type of immunoglobulin. The function of immunoglobulins is to bind with antigens, which then induces an inflammatory response. For example, when bacteria enter the human body, the combination of IgA with the bacteria guides the body's immune system to target and attack the bacteria, which is a normal scenario. This IgA immunoglobulin acts as a mediator in the immune response. Due to some defect, this substance accumulates in the glomeruli. Its deposition in the glomerular capillaries can trigger inflammation in these blood vessels, leading to IgA nephropathy. This results in proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells, deposition in the mesangial matrix, causing blood and protein in the urine, and even leading to renal failure.