Find out the Cause and Treatment of Leaky Kidneys

Leaky kidneys are a common term to describe kidney conditions that excrete too much protein in the urine. In the medical world this term is better known as proteinuria. To understand more about leaky kidneys, see the following explanation:.

Proteinuria or albuminuria is a condition in which the urine contains too much protein. Leaking protein into the urine is usually caused by damage to the small blood vessels (glomeruli) in the kidneys, so they cannot filter blood properly.

Although dangerous, there is a tolerance limit for the presence of protein in the urine. The average normal limit for protein excreted in the urine ranges from 5-10 mg per day. Meanwhile, the presence of protein in the urine in the amount of 30-300 mg per day or exceeding 300 mg per day can indicate a disorder in your kidneys.

What are the Causes of Leaky Kidneys?

Certain diseases and conditions can cause leaky kidneys, including:

• Diabetic nephropathy

  Diabetic nephropathy can be one of the causes of leaky kidneys. When you have diabetes, the glomeruli in your kidneys are thickened. As a result, the glomeruli that play a role in filtering metabolic waste and removing fluids from the body will experience a decrease in function. This is what makes the protein albumin carried into the urine. In its early stages, the disease may not show any symptoms. Signs and symptoms of new disease will be felt when kidney damage is getting worse. Symptoms that can occur are headache, fatigue, decreased appetite, and swelling of the legs.

• Kidney infection

  Kidney infection or pyelonephritis can occur due to the transfer of bacteria from the lower urinary tract to the kidneys. The bacteria that most often cause urinary tract infections are: E. coli, is a major cause of kidney infection. Symptoms of a kidney infection include fever, chills, pain when urinating, and pain around the abdomen, back, or waist.

  If not treated immediately, kidney infection can cause serious complications in the form of scar tissue in the glomeruli. If this happens, the kidneys will lose their function, and cause protein to be carried into the urine or what is known as a leaky kidney.

• Lupus nephritis

  Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys that occurs due to the influence of the disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Lupus itself is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system, which is supposed to protect the body from disease, instead attacks the body's own cells and organs. This condition can cause the kidneys to become inflamed, thus interfering with kidney function as a filter for waste from the body. As a result, blood and protein are not filtered properly. This causes the presence of blood and protein in the urine. Symptoms of lupus nephritis are generally not much different from other kidney disorders, such as the presence of blood and protein in the urine, swelling of the legs, eyes, and abdomen, and foamy and dark urine.

• Preeclampsia

  Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure (hypertension) and high levels of protein in the urine (proteinuria). Pregnant women with preeclampsia may experience symptoms in the form of pain in the upper abdomen, severe headaches, an increase in blood pressure (over 140/90 mmHg), protein in the urine, and blurred vision. However, preeclampsia can sometimes occur without any symptoms.

• nephrotic syndrome

  Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes the body to lose too much protein through urine. Although nephrotic syndrome is rare, this condition that causes leaky kidneys can be experienced by anyone, both adults and children. Nephrotic syndrome occurs due to damage to the glomeruli in the kidneys caused by inflammation, blockage of blood vessels, infections, to certain diseases, such as diabetes, lupus, and cancer. Symptoms of nephropathic syndrome are protein in the urine, swelling throughout the body, susceptibility to infection, weakness, and foamy urine.

Leaky Kidney Symptoms

Leaky kidneys don't always cause any signs or symptoms. Some sufferers even realize that they have leaky kidneys after undergoing blood tests, urine tests or urine protein tests, and kidney function tests. However, there are some signs that can indicate you have leaky kidneys, namely:

• Foamy or frothy urine.
• Swelling appears in body parts, such as feet, hands, stomach, to face.
• Tired easily.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Frequent urination.
• Having trouble sleeping or insomnia.
• The skin becomes itchy and dry.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Hard to breathe.
• Electrolyte disturbance.

If you experience these symptoms, immediately do an examination to the doctor to determine the exact cause.

How Are Leaky Kidneys Treated?

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

• blood pressure medication

  This type of drug is useful for controlling blood pressure in the glomeruli and lowering the amount of protein in your urine, which includes ACE inhibitors and ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers).

• Diuretic drugs

  Diuretic drugs are useful for reducing swelling in parts of the body due to leaky kidneys. Diuretics include furosemide, spironolactone, and thiazides.

• Immune system suppressant drugs

  This type of drug is useful for suppressing abnormal responses of the immune system and reducing inflammation, such as corticosteroids.

• Special diet

  In addition to using drugs, people with leaky kidneys are advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle and undergo a special diet, such as avoiding fatty foods, reducing the consumption of foods that contain high protein, and a salt diet.

Do not hesitate to consult a kidney doctor if you suffer from certain diseases that can increase the risk of having leaky kidneys. By knowing early on the cause of leaky kidneys, you can prevent more serious kidney damage.