Proteinuria in Hypertensive Nephropathy

Hypertensive Nephropathy is a secondary kidney disorder caused by long-term or poor controlling of blood pressure. Hypertensive kidney disease in its developing process is often complicated with other conditions caused by hypertension, such as eye disease, coronary disease, etc, thus often making the illness condition complicated. Clinically, proteinuria is one of the earliest warning signs for kidney damage caused by high blood pressure. Poor management of hypertension is associated to an earlier onset of kidney disease. Early detection and timely treatment for proteinuria is essential so as to delay further scarring on the kidneys.

Why does Hypertensive Nephropathy cause proteinuria? Our kidneys are main filtering organs of human body that removes toxins into urine and blocks proteins from running out. Long-term of high blood pressure causes high filtration and high perfusion in glomerular cells. As a consequence, an abnormal higher level of proteins will escape from urine and the people will present proteinuria. The amount of proteins in urine will increase with fibrosis on renal tissues deteriorating. Proteinuria is a sign of renal damage in people with hypertension. In addition to kidney damage, proteinuria may get worsened by other factors such as mental tension, sleep, diet, infections, over fatigue, etc.

Other physical signs will be examined by the doctors so as to evaluate the severity of kidney injury. Nocturia, or increased night urination is often an accompanying symptom of proteinuria. Massive protein in urine usually comes together with swelling in eyelids, ankles, limbs or other body parts. Severe edema can cause reduced urine output, high blood pressure or moderate azotemia. Obvious elevation of triglycerides and cholesterols can be also be detected. The kidneys filtrate bloodstream and discharge the toxins into urine. When the kidneys are functioning well, changes in urine can be directly detected, such as urine output change, foams or blood in urine, urine color change, etc.

For people with hypertensive kidney disease, if proteinuria occurs, it will be suggested to actively manage blood pressure, control the proteinuria, reduce the intake of proteins and decrease any further burden on the kidneys. Fluctuating or high blood pressure can worsen damage on renal capillaries and increase loss of proteins. Reducing the intake of sodium will assist to control blood pressure. A person with swelling may be suggested by the doctors to restrict the intake of water. For one side, proteinuria occurs because of impaired glomerular filtration membrane; for the other, proteinuria also aggravates renal interstitial fibrosis. Controlling blood pressure and balancing the intake of proteins will help to control proteinuria.

Furthermore, effective treatment for proteinuria may include a process to expand renal arteries, improve blood and nutrients supplement, increase effective blood supplement and reduce further damage on glomerular cells, and during the process there will be a favorable environment for improving injured kidney cells and enhancing kidney functions, so the proteinuria can be controlled down and further deterioration to the kidneys can be effectively blocked.