Berger's Disease
Other Names: IgA Nephropath, IgA Nephritis, IgAN,
Synpharyngitic Glomerulonephritis, IgA Nephropathy
Berger's Disease is the most common
form of Glomerulonephritis, which is an inflammation
of the small blood vessels in the kidney (glomeruli).
As a result, the kidneys' aren't able to filter the
blood's waste and excess water, causing blood and
protein in the urine. With Berger's, the kidneys'
can slowly progress into full renal failure within
20 years.
It commonly presents with blood in the urine and
it can also present within a day or two after some
kind of non-specific upper respiratory infection.
Berger's can appear suddenly or may progress over
a period of time. It can affect anyone, but males
in their teens to late 30's or more commonly affected.
Berger's can be a primary condition or may be associated
with other autoimmune conditions such as Celiac Disease,
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Reiter's Disease, Ankylosing
Spondylitis and other systemic diseases.
Symptoms:
Blood in the urine
Non-specific upper respiratory tract infection
Swollen hands
Swollen feet
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is typically made through blood tests,
urinalysis and in some cases a kidney biopsy may be
used to confirm the diagnosis. A urinalysis may show
proteinuria and red blood cells (blood) in the urine.
Blood test results may show:
Positive Antinuclear Antibody (ANA)
Elevated C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
Elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Positive Gamma Globulin Protein
Elevated Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
Treatment:
Corticosteroids may be used to reduce inflammation
and immunosuppressant therapy medications such as
Cyclosporine, Azathioprine, Mycophenolic or other
immunosuppressant medications may be used as well.
It is also very important that measures are taken
to lower blood pressure and a low protein diet may
be required to lessen the chance of renal failure.
Prognosis:
With lifestyle changes (such as no smoking and a
limited diet) and treatment, Berger's can be controlled.
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