Proteinuria

Proteinuria

Proteinuria derives its name from the combination of the words protein and urine. It signifies the presence of an excessive quantity of serum proteins in the urine. The phenomenon often acts as a clinical marker, pointing towards potential damage to the renal (kidney) system.

Overview

While serum proteins are naturally reabsorbed from urine, their excessive presence suggests anomalies in the renal functions. This can be indicative of either an insufficiency in absorption or issues related to impaired filtration. A commonly observed instance of this phenomenon is among diabetics. The damage inflicted on nephrons due to diabetes often culminates in proteinuria.

Advanced stages of proteinuria can escalate to hypoproteinemia, which is characterized by an overall decrease in the protein content in the blood. This can lead to a reduced oncotic pressure, manifesting symptoms like ascites (fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity), edema (swelling due to fluid retention), and hydrothorax (fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity).

Conditions associated with Proteinuria

Proteinuria can emerge as a symptom in various conditions, including:

• nephrotic syndromes: This pertains to intrinsic renal failure scenarios.
• eclampsia: A severe complication that arises during pregnancy, marked by high blood pressure.
• Toxic lesions of the kidneys: Resulting from the exposure to toxins or drugs.
• Lupus erythematosus: A chronic autoimmune disease that can inflict damage on any part of the body, including kidneys.
• Glomerular diseases: These encompass conditions affecting the kidney's filtration functions. Examples include membranous glomerulopathy, focal segmental glomerulonephritis, and minimal change disease (also known as lipoid nephrosis).

Diagnosis and Treatment

The detection of proteinuria is primarily conducted through a simple urine test. In case proteinuria is confirmed, additional tests might be prescribed to ascertain the underlying cause. The treatment subsequently administered hinges on tackling the root cause.

See also

• albuminuria
• microalbuminuria
• List of terms associated with diabetes

References

Proteinuria Resources
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