IgA kidney disease symptoms

Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
Updated on September 22, 2024
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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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Is IgA nephropathy sexually transmitted?

IgA nephropathy, a type of chronic glomerulonephritis, does not transmit through sexual intercourse. This condition involves a sterile inflammatory response within the glomeruli of the kidneys, not caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Instead, it results from an immune dysfunction, causing inflammation in the glomeruli without any infectious agents. Therefore, IgA nephropathy is not contagious, and sexual intercourse does not pose a risk of transmitting the condition to a sexual partner. As such, patients with IgA nephropathy can engage in sexual activities if their physical condition permits.

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
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Can patients with IgA nephropathy eat beef?

Diet plays a very important role in the treatment of IgA nephropathy patients. For IgA nephropathy patients, the general dietary requirement is to eat a light diet, avoid spicy foods, and avoid fried foods. IgA nephropathy patients can eat beef. Beef contains animal protein, which is a high-quality protein with essential amino acids that are easily absorbed and utilized by the human body. Of course, if IgA nephropathy patients have normal kidney function, there aren't too many restrictions on their diet compared to healthy individuals. They should mainly consume fresh vegetables and fruits, and avoid pickles, salty vegetables, and fermented vegetables. If there is accompanying kidney dysfunction, it is advisable to minimize the intake of plant proteins and limit the consumption of plant-based proteins such as soy products.

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How to treat occult blood in IgA nephropathy

IGA disease is a pathological type of chronic glomerulonephritis. This type of glomerular lesion often leads to positive occult blood in urine, and in some cases, may even cause gross hematuria visible to the naked eye. However, the relationship between hematuria and the severity or prognosis of the patient's condition is not very clear, so clinically, hematuria is not considered as a treatment target. Generally, during the active phase of the disease, patients can be treated with corticosteroids and other medications, especially those with more than 1g of protein in a 24-hour urine collection. Otherwise, most patients choose ACE inhibitors or ARBs as antihypertensive drugs to reduce the pressure inside the glomerulus. Additionally, avoiding colds can also help reduce occult blood in urine. (Specific medications should be administered under the guidance of a physician)

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
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IgA nephropathy stages 1, 2, 3 criteria

According to the standards of the World Health Organization, IgA nephropathy is classified into five stages pathologically. The first stage is where most glomeruli appear normal under light microscopy, with only minor mesangial proliferation or associated cellular proliferation, generally showing slight changes without damage to the tubules and interstitium; The second stage indicates mild lesions where over fifty percent of the glomeruli are normal, with only a small portion of the glomeruli showing mesangial cell proliferation, glomerular sclerosis adhesion, and other changes, without the formation of crescents; The third stage is focal segmental glomerulonephritis, characterized by diffuse proliferation of mesangial cells and widening of the mesangial areas, with the lesions exhibiting focal segmental changes and comparatively mild interstitial lesions.

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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.