How to Fix a Leaky Kidney

Leaky kidneys are a general term used to describe kidney conditions that excrete too much protein in the urine. The term leaky kidney in the medical world is better known as proteinuria. Then how to fix a leaky kidney? Check out the explanation here.

Leaky kidneys or proteinuria or albuminuria occurs when the urine contains too much protein. Usually the leakage of protein into the urine is caused by damage to the small blood vessels (glomeruli) in the kidneys, so they are not able to filter blood properly.

Although dangerous, the presence of protein in the urine has a tolerance limit. The average normal limit for protein excreted in the urine is between 5 to 10 mg per day. If the presence of protein in the urine as much as 30 to 300 mg or more per day then it can indicate a kidney disorder.

Causes of Leaking Kidneys

There are certain conditions or diseases that can cause leaky kidneys, including:

1. Diabetic nephropathy

One of the causes of leaky kidneys is due to diabetic nephropathy. When suffering from diabetes, the glomeruli in the kidneys can experience thickening. This causes the glumeruli, which functions to filter out metabolic waste and fluid expenditure from the body, to decrease in function. This is what makes albumin protein can be carried into the urine.

Maybe this disease in its early stages does not show symptoms. Signs or symptoms of the disease will be felt when kidney damage is getting worse. Symptoms that can occur include headaches, decreased appetite, fatigue, and swelling of the legs.

2. Lupus nephritis

Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys due to the influence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system, which is supposed to protect the body from disease, instead attacks the cells and organs of the body.

This condition can cause the kidneys to become inflamed, so that the function of the kidneys as a filter for waste from the body is disrupted. As a result, blood and protein cannot be properly filtered by the kidneys. This is what causes the presence of blood and protein in the urine.

In general, the symptoms of lupus nephritis are not much different from other kidney disorders, such as dark and foamy urine, the presence of blood and protein in the urine, swelling of the eyes, abdomen, and legs.

Also read articles about: How to Treat Lupus Nephritis

3. Kidney infection

Kidney infections can occur because they are caused by the transfer of bacteria, such as E. coli, from the lower urinary tract to the kidneys. The symptoms felt when suffering from a kidney infection are pain when urinating, the onset of pain around the stomach, back or waist, fever and chills.

If a kidney infection is not treated immediately, it can lead to serious complications in the form of scar tissue in the glomeruli. If this happens, the kidneys will experience a decrease in function and even lose their function so that it can cause protein to be carried into the urine (leaky kidneys).

4. Nephrotic syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is a disorder that occurs in the kidneys that causes the body to lose too much protein through urine. Although nephrotic syndrome is rare, this condition that can cause leaky kidneys can happen to anyone, be it adults or children.

The occurrence of nephrotic syndrome is caused by damage to the glomeruli in the kidneys due to inflammation, infection, blockage of blood vessels, to certain diseases, such as lupus, cancer and diabetes.

Symptoms that appear when suffering from nephropathic syndrome are the presence of protein in the urine, foamy urine, weakness, susceptibility to infection, and swelling throughout the body.

5. Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a complication during pregnancy characterized by symptoms of high blood pressure (hypertension) and high levels of protein in the urine (proteinuria).

If you suffer from preeclampsia during pregnancy, you will feel symptoms of severe headache, pain in the upper abdomen, an increase in blood pressure (more than 140/90 mmHg), high protein content in the urine, and blurred vision. However, sometimes preeclampsia can occur without symptoms.

Symptoms of a Leaky Kidney

Leaky kidneys are not always accompanied by symptoms. Some people with leaky kidneys even realize that they have leaky kidneys after undergoing urine tests, blood tests and kidney function tests.

However, there are some symptoms that indicate that a person has leaky kidneys, including:

• Foamy urine
• Frequent urination
• Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
• Tired easily
• Nausea or vomiting
• Swelling in body parts, such as legs, abdomen, hands, to face
• Skin becomes itchy and dry
• Difficult to concentrate
• Electrolyte disturbance
• Hard to breathe

If you experience these symptoms, then immediately check with a doctor to determine the exact cause.

How to Fix a Leaking Kidney

How to stop kidney leaking protein usually depends on the cause of the condition. Some medicines may be prescribed by a doctor to relieve symptoms and prevent complications. As for some medicines that may be given by a doctor include:

1. Medication for lowering blood pressure

Blood pressure-lowering medicines are useful for controlling blood pressure in the glomeruli and reducing the amount of protein in the urine, which includes the ARB (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers) and ACE inhibitors.

2. Medication to suppress the immune system

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

3. Diuretic medicines

Diuretic medicines are used to reduce swelling in the body due to leaky kidneys. Diuretics include thiazides, spironolactone, and furosemide.

4. Special diet

In addition to taking medicines, it is recommended for people with leaky kidneys to adopt a healthy lifestyle and undergo a special diet, such as avoiding fatty foods, reducing the consumption of foods that contain lots of salt and high in protein.

If you suffer from diseases that can increase the risk of having a leaky kidney, then immediately consult a kidney doctor. By knowing the cause of leaky kidneys early, you can prevent more severe kidney damage. Thus an explanation of how to fix a leaky kidney may be useful.