Find Out the Causes and Treatment of Leaked Kidney

Kidney leak is a term used by ordinary people to describe the condition of the kidney which secretes too much protein in the urine. In the medical world, this term is better known as proteinuria. To learn more about leaky kidneys, see the following explanation.

Proteinuria or albuminuria is a condition in which urine contains excessive amounts of protein. Leakage of protein in the urine is usually caused by damage to the small blood vessels (glomeruli) of the kidneys, thereby preventing blood filtering.

Although dangerous, there is a tolerance limit for the presence of protein in the urine. The normal normal range of protein excreted in the urine ranges from 5 to 10 mg per day. Meanwhile, the presence of protein in urine in the amount of 30 to 300 mg per day or more than 300 mg per day can indicate interference with your kidneys.
What causes kidney leakage?

Some diseases and conditions can cause kidney failure, including:

Diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy can cause kidney leakage. When you have diabetes, your kidney's glomeruli will thicken. As a result, glomeruli, which play a role in filtering metabolic waste and in removing bodily fluids, will experience a decline in function. This is why albumin protein is also transported in urine. In the initial stages, this disease can be asymptomatic. The signs and symptoms of the new disease will be felt when kidney damage worsens. Possible symptoms include headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, and swelling in the legs.

Kidney infection

Kidney infection or pyelonephritis can occur due to transfer of bacteria from the lower urinary tract to the kidneys. The most common bacterium causing urinary tract infections, namely E. coli, is a major cause of kidney infection. Symptoms of kidney infection include chills, pain during urination, and pain around the abdomen, back, or waist.
If left untreated, kidney infection can cause serious scarring in the glomeruli. If this happens, the kidneys lose their function and the protein is carried in the urine or so-called kidney leakage.

Lupus nephritis

Lupus nephritis is inflammation of the kidneys due to the systemic influence of lupus erythematosus (SLE). Lupus itself is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system, which is supposed to protect the body against disease, attacks the cells and organs of the body itself. This condition can cause inflammation of the kidneys, thus interfering with the kidney's function as a filter for bodily waste. As a result, blood and protein are not well filtered. This is what causes blood and protein in the urine. The symptoms of lupus nephritis are usually not much different from other kidney disorders, such as the presence of blood and protein in the urine, swelling in the legs, eyes and stomach, as well as foamy and dark urine.

preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure (hypertension) and high protein levels in the urine (proteinuria). Pregnant women with preeclampsia can experience symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, severe headaches, increased blood pressure (more than 140/90 mmHg), the presence of protein in the urine and blurred vision. However, preeclampsia can sometimes occur without symptoms.

Nephrotic syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes excessive loss of protein in the urine. Although nephrotic syndrome is rare, the disease that causes kidney failure can be felt by all adults and children. Nephrotic syndrome is caused by kidney glomeruli caused by inflammation, blockage of blood vessels, infections and certain diseases such as diabetes, lupus and cancer. The symptoms of nephropathy syndrome are: the presence of protein in the urine, swelling of the body, susceptibility to infections, weakness and foamy urine.

Kidney symptoms leak
Leaked kidneys do not always cause signs or symptoms. Some sufferers even realize that their kidneys are displaced after undergoing blood tests, urinalysis and kidney function tests. However, there may be signs that you have a leaky kidney, such as:

Urine foaming or bubbling.
Swelling occurs in certain body parts, such as legs, hands, stomach, face.
Easily tired.
Nausea or vomiting.
Frequent urination
Having trouble sleeping or having trouble sleeping.
The skin becomes dry and itchy.
Difficulty concentrating
Hard to breathe.
Electrolyte disturbance.

If you experience these symptoms, immediately see a doctor to find out the exact cause.
How to treat kidney leakage?

Treatment for a leaky kidney usually depends on the cause of the condition. Some medications may be prescribed by a doctor to help reduce symptoms and prevent complications. These medicines include:

blood pressure medication

This type of drug is useful for controlling blood pressure in the glomeruli and reducing the amount of protein in your urine, including ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor (ARB) inhibitors.

Diuretic medicine

Diuretic medications are useful for reducing swelling in certain parts of the body due to leaky kidneys. Diuretic medications include furosemide, spironolactone and thiazide.

Immune suppressing drugs

This type of drug is useful to suppress the abnormal response of the immune system and reduce inflammation, such as corticosteroids.

special diet

In addition to taking medication, patients with leaky kidneys are advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle and follow a special diet, for example by avoiding fatty foods, by reducing consumption of high fat foods. protein and salt based diet.

Don't hesitate to consult a kidney specialist if you suffer from certain diseases that can increase the risk of kidney leakage. By quickly knowing the cause of kidney leakage, you can prevent more serious kidney damage.