Blood in Urine in IgA Nephropathy

Why does IgA Nephropathy cause blood in urine? IgA Nephropathy, also called as Berger’s disease, is one of the common types of primary Glomerular Nephritis which is characterized by deposition of IgA in the mesangial area. Recurrent microscopic or gross blood in urine (hematuria) is one the typical clinical symptoms of IgA Nephropathy. Well then, is the symptom severe? What is the proper treatment for hematuria?

Clinically about 30% to 40% people with IgA Nephropathy present hematuria. The symptom usually several to 48 hours after people get an upper respiratory tract infection, gastrointestinal or urinary tract infections. Hematuria can be divided into two types, microscopic hematuria and gross hematuria. In healthy people, the number of red blood cells under microscopic examination is no more than 2 per high power field (hpf). Microscopic hematuria is defined as the number of red blood cells per hpf between 3 and 40, and the test result suggests + -++++. Gross hematuria suggests the number of red blood cells is over 40, and evident red urine color can be detected.

As we can understand, gross hematuria is much severer than microscopic hematuria. To be noted, if a person has microscopic hematuria, it can not be found out unless lab test is operated. As for the treatment of hematuria in IgA Nephropathy, many people adopt treatment to control the symptom; however, although the blood in urine turns negative after treatment, once they catch an infection or reduce the medicine, they find the symptom recurs again. Relapses are dangerous because it will deteriorate damage of the kidneys.

Then what is the proper treatment for hematuria in IgA Nephropathy? IgA Nephropathy is a type of glomerular nephritis which is mediated by immune cells. IgA, IgG and other immune abnormalities are deposited on mesangial, attract infiltration of T cells, cause renal ischemia and impair normal filtering functions of glomerular basilar membrane. When permeability on glomerular filtration membrane is increased, an excess amount of red blood cells leak into urine. For the people, preventing infections and improving immunity through healthy eating and lifestyle changes will help to prevent recurrence and improve the illness condition. Further, to treat the disease and the symptom effectively, the treatment includes eliminating deposited IgA, regulating immune disorder, improving renal blood circulation and ridding renal ischemia. Chinese herbal medicine may show the efficacy in view of this point.