Find Out the Causes and Treatment of Leaked Kidney

Leaked kidneys is a layman's term to describe the condition of the kidneys that secrete too much protein in the urine. In the medical world this term is better known as proteinuria. To understand more about leaky kidneys, see the following explanation. Proteinuria or albuminuria is a condition in which urine contains an excessive amount of protein. Leaking of protein into the urine is usually caused by damage to small blood vessels (glomeruli) in the kidneys, so it cannot filter blood properly. Although dangerous, but there is a tolerance limit for the presence of protein in the urine. The average normal limit of protein excreted in the urine ranges from 5-10 mg per day. Meanwhile, the presence of protein in the urine with an amount of 30 - 300 mg per day or more than 300 mg per day can indicate interference in your kidneys.

What are the Causes of Kidney Leaking?

Certain diseases and conditions can cause the kidneys to leak, including:

• Diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy can be a cause of leaky kidneys. When you have diabetes, the glomeruli in your kidneys will experience thickening. As a result, the glomeruli which play a role in filtering metabolic waste and removing fluids from the body will experience a decrease in function. This makes the protein albumin also carried into the urine. In the early stages, this disease may be asymptomatic. Signs and symptoms of new diseases will be felt when kidney damage is getting worse. Symptoms that can occur are headaches, fatigue, decreased appetite, and swelling in the legs.

• Kidney infection

Kidney infection or pyelonephritis can occur due to the transfer of bacteria from the lower urinary tract to the kidneys. The bacteria that most often causes urinary tract infections, namely E. coli, is a major cause of kidney infection. Symptoms of kidney infection include chills, pain when urinating, and pain around the abdomen, back, or waist. If not treated immediately, kidney infection can cause serious complications in the form of scarring in the glomeruli. If this happens, the kidneys will lose its function, and cause the protein carried into the urine or so-called kidney leak.

• Lupus nephritis

Lupus nephritis is inflammation of the kidneys that occurs due to the influence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease. Lupus itself is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system which is supposed to protect the body from disease, actually turns to attack the cells and organs of the body itself. This condition can cause the kidneys to become inflamed, thus disrupting the kidney's function as a filter for waste from the body. As a result, blood and protein are not well filtered. This is what causes blood and protein in the urine. Symptoms of lupus nephritis are generally not much different from other kidney disorders, such as the presence of blood and protein in the urine, swelling of the feet, eyes, and stomach, as well as foamy and dark urine.

• Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure (hypertension), and high levels of protein in the urine (proteinuria). Pregnant women suffering from preeclampsia can experience symptoms in the form of pain in the upper abdomen, severe headaches, an increase in blood pressure (exceeding 140/90 mmHg), protein in the urine, and blurred vision. However, preeclampsia can sometimes occur without any symptoms.

• Nephrotic syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that makes the body lose too much protein through urine. Although nephrotic syndrome is rare, the condition that causes the kidneys to leak can be experienced by anyone, both adults and children. Nephrotic syndrome occurs due to damage to the glomeruli in the kidneys caused by inflammation, blocked arteries, infections, to certain diseases, such as diabetes, lupus, and cancer. Symptoms of nephropatic syndrome are protein in the urine, swelling throughout the body, susceptible to infection, weakness, and foamy urine.

Kidney Symptoms Leaking

Leaking kidneys do not always give rise to any signs or symptoms. Some sufferers even realize that their kidneys are leaking after undergoing blood tests, urine tests, and kidney function tests. But, there are some signs that can indicate you have a leaky kidney, namely:

• Urine issued is foamy or bubbly.
• Swelling appears in parts of the body, such as legs, hands, stomach, to the face.
• Easily tired.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Frequent urination.
• Having trouble sleeping or insomnia.
• The skin becomes itchy and dry.
• Difficulty in concentrating.
• Hard to breathe.
• Electrolyte disturbance.

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

How Is Leaking Kidney Treated?

Treatment of a leaky kidney usually depends on the cause of the condition. Some medicines may be prescribed by a doctor to help reduce symptoms, and prevent complications. These medicines include:

• Blood pressure medication

This type of drug is useful for controlling blood pressure in the glomeruli and decreasing the amount of protein in your urine, which includes ACE inhibitors and ARB (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers).

• Diuretic medicine

Diuretic drugs are useful for reducing swelling in parts of the body due to leaky kidneys. Which include diuretic drugs are furosemide, spironolactone, and thiazide.

• Immune suppressing drugs

This type of drug is useful to suppress the abnormal response of the immune system and reduce inflammation, for example corticosteroid drugs.

• Special diet

In addition to using drugs, kidney patients with leaks are advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle and undergo a special diet, such as avoiding fatty foods, reducing the consumption of foods that contain high protein, and salt diet.

Do not hesitate to consult a kidney doctor if you suffer from certain diseases that can increase the risk of experiencing kidney leak. By knowing early on the cause of kidney leakage, you can prevent more serious kidney damage.