Excess protein in the kidney is called proteinuria. This is evaluated in the urine and can also be called albuminuria or urine albumin. A lot of proteins are too big to go through the glomeruli, or the kidney filters. When these filters are harmed, the proteins appear in the urine. High levels of protein in the urine are generally an indication of kidney damage or disease.
What Does Excess Protein in the Kidney Mean?
People with diabetes, high blood pressure or inflammatory illness such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Hodgkin’s disease and leukemia are more at risk for developing kidney disease or chronic kidney failure. Managing the other diseases that enhance the risk for kidney disease can significantly minimize the risk.
Symptoms of Excess Protein in the Kidney
Most people do not believe kidney disease up until their urine is evaluated. Other prospective indicators include foamy urine and swelling of the hands, feet, abdomen or face. The spilling of protein into the urine influences the body’s ability to balance fluids, thus triggering an accumulation of fluids, which is called edema.
Diagnosis
Blood and urine tests are had to diagnose kidney disease. A doctor can calculate a glomerular filtration rate based upon the blood creatinine, age, race and gender to examine the degree of disease progression. Creatinine is a waste product from muscle activity that can build up in the blood stream if the kidneys are not operating properly. Blood urea nitrogen is another waste material from the breakdown of protein in foods and by metabolism. This can be influenced by diet but generally increases because of decreased kidney function. Numerous medications, consisting of antibiotics, can disrupt diagnostic test outcomes. Dehydration and urinary tract infection can also disrupt tests.
Treatment for Excess Protein in the Kidney
The severity of damage to the kidneys dictates the treatment plan. Medication treatments would be begun right away. Diet may be customized to consist of less protein. There may be added restrictions on sodium, potassium, phosphorus and other minerals to place less need on the filtering processes the kidney controls. In end-stage kidney disease, organ transplant and/or regularly set up dialysis might be required to take control of the regular kidney function.
Care
Low levels of protein in the urine can be regular, especially in younger people after workout. There likewise can be a temporary rise in protein levels with direct exposure to temperature level extremes, emotional stress, fever and strenuous exercise.