PROTEINURIA!

 

Recently, it is advise that everyone should regularly check for proteinuria so that kidney disease can be detected and treated before it progresses

PROTEINURIA: What is the first thing that cames to your mind when you heard this word? A large number of us will say it's protein and that's true but not all that it is(smiles). Okay don't get daze, I'm here to bring in the light. 

The word PROTEINURIA is actually coined from two words, which are: Protein (the basic building block of the body) and Uria (also known as urine: the liquid by-product of the body secreted by the kidney).
From the breakdown of the word, I trust you're already having a glimpse of what I'm about to talk about today. Now let's go deeper.

WHAT IS PROTEINURIA?

This the presence of excess proteins in the urine.
While blood passes through healthy kidneys, they filter the waste products out and leave the essential things like Protein needed by the body. Normally, proteins are too big to pass through the kidneys’ filters unless the kidneys are damaged. The main protein that is most likely to appear in urine is albumin. Proteins from the blood can escape into the urine when the filters of the kidney, called glomeruli, are damaged.
Normally, a healthy person's urine contains very little amount of protein called albumin; an excess is suggested to be abnormal and if other Protein is found in the urine it's called Proteinuria.

Proteinuria could detect a mild condition in your body like dehydration or stress. On a very severe sense, it could be a sign of some serious health dysfunction such as a cardiovascular disease and heart disease, this is may increase ones risk of death.
Occasionally, proteinuria is may be an early sign of chronic kidney disease (CKD), although some persons develop CKD and still have normal levels of protein in their urine.
Excess protein in the urine often causes the urine to become foamy (although this symptom may also be caused by other condition).
For women that are pregnant, protein in urine can also be a sign of PreEclampsia, a very dangerous condition that can cause high blood pressure, may lead one to be hospitalized and could lead to death ASAP if it is out of control.

This is not a disease but it's a condition resulting from a disease or some disruption in the body. To an extent certain people believe that Proteinuria is a condition found only in the elderly. No, Proteinuria can be found in children, adults and the elderly. I know one thing that gets lots of us frightened about certain illness is if the illness is contagious. For Proteinuria it is not contagious. However, you may be more likely to have proteinuria if other members of your biological family have it just like Hypertension and disabilities mellitus.

Now, let me show you the signs and symptoms of Proteinuria: There are various ways you could tell when there is Protein in your urine, although at the early stage it doesn't have any sign except a test is carried out.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PROTEINURIA

— Foamy  urine
— Frequent urination
— Fatigue
— Swelling in hands, feet, or face
— Dry Skin
— Trouble sleeping
— Nausea
— Vomiting
— Trouble concentrating
— Shortness of breath
.
CAUSES OF PROTEINURIA
There are both mild and severe cases that cause proteinuria, it's listed categorically
1). Mild Cases That Causes Proteinuria:
— Dehydration.
— Low blood pressure (hypotension).
— Kidney stones.
— Intense exercise, excessive stress, and intake of aspirin daily.
2). Severe Cases That Causes Proteinuria:
—Heart disease
—Heart failure
—Diabetes
— High blood pressure (hypertension)
— Poisoning.
— Trauma.
— Kidney cancer.
— Lupus
— Malaria
— Multiple myeloma (Plasma cell cancer)
— Orthostatic proteinuria
— Preeclampsia
— Pregnancy
— Reumatoid arthritis
— Sarcoidosis
— Sickle cell anemia

HOW IS PROTEIN IN URINE (Proteinuria) DIAGNOSED?

Testing for protein in urine is typically done via a test called a Urinalysis. Most of you ladies might have herd about this test probably the day you went for the Antenatal Clinic or to visit a Gynecologist.
This simple urine test can detect protein levels in the urine and can be conducted in a doctor’s office or at the Lab. After your urine sample is collected, it is tested with a dipstick. When your urine has large amounts of protein, the strip of paper will change color. Technicians may also examine the sample via microscope. If you get an abnormal result that detects protein in the urine, your doctor will also probably want to check your cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and blood pressure to determine what conditions might be contributing to your proteinuria.
If you there be any medical condition associated with increased risk of kidney disease, ask your doctor if you need regular urinalysis testing. You can also ask your doctor for recommendations on lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of developing kidney disease too.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE TESTED WITH PROTEINURIA AND THE TREATMENT PLAN:
Remember Proteinuria is not a disease but a sign that something is wrong somewhere, and so the treatment for depends on the cause. Each underlying causes requires different treatment plan.
— Treatment Plan For Pregnant women with a history of preeclampsia having proteinuria, they should schedule regular checkups with their healthcare provider. Because preeclampsia is a serious condition, though if mansged properly, it typically goes away days to weeks after your baby is born.
— If you have diabetes, you may need to control your blood sugar efectively by taking your prescribed medication, having the proper diets a d exercising.
— Treatment plan for Kidney disease causes proteinuria, may include medication, diet changes and exercise. Your health specialist may prescribe blood pressure medication if you have high blood pressure. If you have low blood pressure, you should schedule annual urine tests and blood pressure checks.
— Treatment plan for people with hypertension, you may be recommend medication as well as diet and lifestyle changes. Everyone with hypertension and proteinuria are also advised that they should keep their blood pressure below 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

Lastly, for the elderly, routine check-up should be set up for them because as they age, their body system begins to slow down. Caregiver should ensure that the sugar level, their blood pressure and urinalysis should be carried out regular at least once in two weeks if they are not having any risk factor.

As a Pregnant women please don't skip any check up and do not ignore any test you are sent to run. It will help your healthcare practitioner see ahead  and help you against PreEclampsia.

Do stay safe and healthy.
Love from
F.N.F