Microalbuminuria
Microalbuminuria is a condition where high amounts of protein are
found in the urine. It occurs when the filtering
system in the kidneys is damaged.
Proteins in the body are not filtered out of
the urine.
The ailment can be serious, it should be
diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
Early Stages
of Kidney
Disease
The condition is actually a sign of early stage kidney disease and
is a type of proteinuria. The first stage progresses, depending on the
amount of protein found in the urine
to a serious stage called the nephritic range. Once the condition has
been allowed to advance to the serious stage it can ultimately result in kidney
failure.
Diagnosis
There are two main risk factors in developing microalbuminuria. These
are hypertension and diabetes. People who are older or over weight also
have an increased chance of developing it.
The most common symptom is urine that is foamy in consistency. The
proteins in the urine react with the water and cause a
foamy
appearance. In some cases there may be swelling in the
hands, ankles,
calves and feet.
The diagnosis is quite simple involving a urine
test. The urine is measured to see how much protein is found in it. The
urine test lasts for a 24 hour period where the urine is collected.
Generally a small level of proteins, which is what occurs when the
kidney disease is at the microalbuminuria level, requires only
treatment to clear the urine of proteins and to help get the kidneys
repaired. However, if the protein levels are too high then further tests
may be needed, including blood tests and a kidney biopsy.
Treatment
The treatment for microalbuminuria usually involves treating the
underlying condition that is causing the symptoms. A person may need to
monitor the blood sugar, follow a particular diet and increase moderate exercise.
Sometimes further tests
may need to be done to help discover the
underlying condition that is causing it. It is
important to discover what has led to the ailment because that
is what must be treated in order to stop the leakage of protein into
the urine. Treating only the illness itself is not going to solve
the situation, just hide the symptoms and that is not an ideal solution
to the overall problem with the kidneys not functioning correctly.
Without proper treatment the protein will continue to leak into the
urine.
The filters in the kidneys will break down even further. Eventually the
condition will become severe and the kidneys will be in the advanced
stages of kidney disease. Without adequate treatment and care a person
could end up in complete kidney failure and require extensive medical
treatment, such as dialysis. Early diagnosis is
essential, if left untreated then it will just advance in severity. If
you notice any symptoms, have diabetes or
hypertension then you should get tested to ensure that you do not have
this condition.
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