Iga nephropathy Lifestyle and home remedies

IgA nephropathy (nuh-FROP-uh-the) is a common kidney disease that occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) lodges in your kidneys. This hampers your kidneys' ability to filter waste, excess water and electrolytes from your blood. Over time, IgA nephropathy — also called Berger's disease — can lead to blood and protein in your urine, high blood pressure, and swollen hands and feet.


In 1968, French nephrologist Dr. Jean Berger first described immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy. Sometimes referred to as Berger’s disease, IgA nephropathy is a kidney disease that causes the kidneysto become inflamed. At first the disease was believed to be of little threat. But after more and more researchers looked into IgA nephropathy, it turned out that as many as 50 percent of the cases progressed to end stage renal disease (ESRD), or kidney failure, according to the IgA Nephropathy Support Network. After diabetes and high blood pressure, IgA nephropathy is the third leading cause of chronic kidney disease in the United States.
Immunoglobulin A is an antibody. Antibodies are produced when there is a virus, bacterium or toxin, threatening your body. Normally, these antibodies will help fight the thing that is invading your body. For reasons that are unknown, IgA can get into the kidney, causing inflammation. IgA can eventually lead to blood and protein in the urine, high blood pressure, swollen hands and feet and other signs of chronic kidney disease.


Some steps you can take on your own that may help keep your kidneys healthier include:

Some steps you can take on your own that may help keep your kidneys healthier include:
Switch to a low-salt diet. Keeping your blood pressure levels near normal may help slow kidney damage from IgA nephropathy. Your doctor may recommend changes in your diet — such as limiting your salt intake — to help manage your blood pressure. A low-salt diet can also help minimize fluid retention and swelling.
Eat less protein. Reducing the amount of protein you eat and taking steps to decrease your cholesterol levels may help slow the progression of IgA nephropathy and protect your kidneys.
Monitor your blood pressure levels at home. Write down each reading and bring this record with you to your doctor's appointments.