Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy is a disease that damages the tiny filters inside the kidneys. It affects each person in a different way. Some people with IgA nephropathy don't have any problems for many years and may never have any significant issues. Others develop kidney failure and need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
When you have IgA nephropathy, it's important to take care of your kidneys to keep them healthy. To do that, you may need to make some changes to your daily routine. Eat a kidney-friendly diet, see your doctor for regular checkups, take the medicines your doctor prescribed, and watch for symptoms of kidney damage.
Learn what day-to-day life looks like with IgA nephropathy. And find out how to manage your disease and protect your kidneys.
Look for Symptoms
IgA nephropathy gets worse slowly. You may not have any symptoms for many years (or ever). Treatments can make the disease progress even more slowly.
Symptoms start when your kidneys become more damaged. If that damage continues, IgA nephropathy can lead to kidney failure. Tell your doctor if you notice symptoms like these:
- Pee that looks like cola or tea
- Blood or foam in your pee
- Pain in your lower back or sides
- Swelling in your hands, legs, ankles, feet, or face
- Tiredness or weakness
- Severe headaches
These could be signs that your kidney disease is getting worse.
See Your Doctor
There's no cure for IgA nephropathy. Your doctor will give you a treatment plan to slow kidney damage and help you feel better.
That plan will include regular visits to see how well your medicines are working. You'll see your doctor about once every 6 months if your disease is stable. If you have more advanced IgA nephropathy, you'll visit your doctor every 1 to 3 months.
During visits, your doctor will do tests like these to check the health of your kidneys:
- Blood pressure readings
- Blood tests to check levels of protein, cholesterol, and wastes your kidneys should filter out
- Tests to look for tiny amounts of blood or protein in your pee – signs of kidney damage
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) – a test to see how well your kidneys filter your blood
- Kidney ultrasound – a test that uses sound waves to take pictures of your kidneys
- Kidney biopsy – a test that takes a small piece of tissue from your kidney and checks it under a microscope for scars and other signs of damage
The results of these tests will help your doctor know whether to change your treatment plan.
Track Your Symptoms
Keep a diary of your symptoms and how often you have them. Write down each symptom and when you first noticed it.
It's also helpful to take your blood pressure readings at home and write down the readings. Share this information with your doctor at each visit. Your symptom tracker and blood pressure readings will help your doctor adjust your treatment plan, if needed.
Manage Your Medicines and Side Effects
It's normal for people with IgA nephropathy to take a few medicines. The goal is to control your symptoms, put your disease into remission, and prevent the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Your doctor may prescribe medicines to:
- Lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Calm your immune system so it doesn't attack and damage your kidneys
- Remove extra water from your body
- Reduce inflammation in your body
- Control swelling in your hands, feet, and other parts of your body
It's important for you to take your medicines the way your doctor prescribed them. If you stop them too soon, your kidney disease could get worse.
Some medicines may cause side effects. Even if you have side effects, don't stop taking your medicines on your own. Talk to your doctor first. The doctor may be able to adjust your dose or switch you to a drug that causes fewer problems.
Protect Your Health
A well-balanced diet and exercise will help you feel better while you treat IgA nephropathy.
One of the most important diet changes you can make is to eat less salt. Extra salt raises your blood pressure. High blood pressure narrows and weakens the blood vessels inside your kidneys so less blood can flow through them. A lack of blood in your kidneys can damage these organs. Often, doctors recommend that people with kidney disease eat less than 1,500 milligrams or, ¾ teaspoon, of salt per day. Ask your doctor how much salt is safe for you to eat.
You may also need to eat less protein because it can be hard for your kidneys to process. Also try to eat less saturated fat and cholesterol. Cut out or limit high-fat foods like beef, butter, and whole milk. Fat and cholesterol form sticky deposits called plaques in your arteries. Plaque can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys.
Kidney disease can make you lose muscle. To keep your muscles strong, try to exercise as often as you can. A daily walk, swim, bike ride, or resistance training with weights can improve your overall health and muscle strength.
Care for Your Emotional Health
Life with chronic kidney disease can feel overwhelming. You might worry that your condition could affect your work or relationships. You don't have to manage IgA nephropathy alone. Reach out to your treatment team if you have questions or need advice.
You can also find support from family and friends. Or you might join a support group at your local hospital, or through an organization like the IgA Nephropathy Foundation. In a support group, you'll meet people who know what it's like to live with IgA nephropathy. If you feel really overwhelmed, see a mental health provider like a therapist or psychologist.
Advocate for yourself to feel more empowered. Read about IgA nephropathy and its treatment options. Work with your medical team to make sure you get the care you need. And follow your treatment plan to ensure you have the best possible outcome and quality of life.
Show Sources
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SOURCES:
American Kidney Fund: "What is IgA Nephropathy?"
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology: "Long-Term Outcomes in IgA Nephropathy."
IgA Nephropathy Foundation: "IgA Nephropathy – What You Need to Know."
Johns Hopkins Medicine: "Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Nephropathy."
Mayo Clinic: "IgA Nephropathy (Berger Disease)."
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: "IgA Nephropathy."
National Kidney Foundation: "IgA Nephropathy."
