Nephropathy Kidney Disease, Diabetic Nephropathy, IgA Nephropathy, Contrast Induced Nephropathy

Nephropathy is the term used to describe any disease causing damage to the small blood vessels or blood cleaning apparatus in your kidneys.

Often nephropathy damage is an associated kidney complication of some other disease or condition.  For instance there is:

  • IgA nephropathy
  • HIV nephropathy
  • gouty nephropathy
  • reflux nephropathy
  • diabetic nephropathy
  • ischemic nephropathy
  • analgesic nephropathy
  • sickle cell nephropathy
  • hypertensive nephropathy
  • chinese herbs nephropathy
  • contrast induced nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy results as a kidney disease complication of diabetes.  It is theorized that high blood sugar leads to scarred kidney development. But, not all diabetics generate this “too much sugar” created kidney condition.

Early stage diabetic nephropathy has no symptoms.  Symptoms experienced late in the disease process may include:

Diabetic nephropathy generally accompanies other complications, like high blood pressure, retinopathy and blood vessel changes.

IgA nephropathy is a disorder occurring when IgA proteins settle in your kidneys.  IgAs are antibodies that help your body fight off infections.  It is also known as Berger’s disease.

After years of IgA deposits, your kidneys may spring a blood and protein leak into your urine.   And your first sign of IgA nephropathy hematuria may appear during a cold, sore throat or other respiratory infection.

IgA nephropathy progresses slowly, or not at all.  After years with IgA nephropathy, your kidneys can show signs of damage via bloody urine.

The treatment goals for IgA nephropathy is symptom relief and renal failure prevention or delay.  Controlling high blood pressure is the most important measure for delaying kidney damage.

Other measure of treatment that may be recommended involve:

Contrast induced nephropathy may best be defined as acute renal failure occurring within 2 days following the administration of iodinated radiocontrast material without another identifiable cause for the failure.  Contrast media, or dye, is used for image guided cardiology and radiology procedures.

These contrast agents are known to be toxic to kidneys.  A healthy kidney’s main function is to filter and remove wastes and fluids from your body.  It’s the toxic effects of these contrast agents that causes the development of contrast induced nephropathy.

Pre-existing impaired kidney function makes you especially susceptible.  And those with diabetes and chronic kidney disease are at the highest risk for developing contrast-induced nephropathy.

Also, the incidence of this type of nephropathy increases if you suffer from:

The risk of contrast induced nephropathy is directly proportionate to the severity of your pre-existing kidney issue.

Analgesic nephropathy involves a kidney disease caused by long term overuse of OTC analgesics. The pain medications of special concern contain:

Excessive use is three pills per day for 6 years.  Analgesic nephropathy is frequently seen in those self medicating chronic pain.

Reflux nephropathy is a kidney condition in which urine flows backward due to a kidney valve failure. You may experience no symptoms of reflux nephropathy, or some combination of these symptoms:

Get with your health care provider to have your kidney check out should you experience any symptoms.

« »