IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is a disease which is named by the deposition of IgA..
The manifestations of IgAN include blood in the urine, swelling, protein in the
urine, high blood pressure etc. Before the causes of IgAN are unknown, it is
achievable to prevent the IgA depositing in the kidneys.
If the disease is noticed, the prognosis in patients who have good kidney
function and proteinuria less than 1g/24h do not need any treatment. But
patients who have proteinuria higher than 1g/24h or high blood pressure are more
likely to develop end-stage renal failure, so they need especial intervention to
tightly control blood pressure. ACEI is the first choice for patients.
Glucocorticoid and fish oil are the commonest treatment for IgAN. Glococorticoid
is able to relieve the progression of ESRD. Also some surveys show that the
combination of prednisone can protect the kidneys. Oil fish can delay the
progression of IgA Nephropathy.
For crescent IgA nephropathy, the treatments include glococorticoid, cytoxan,
and plasmapheresis. 50% crescent IgA nephropathy patients will develop end-stage
renal failure within 1 year.
Kidney transplant is effective for IgA nephropathy patients but 60% patients
who receive kidney transplant will suffer from the deposition of IgA.
Immunosuppressive agents can stop the IgA depositing in the kidneys.
Traditional Chinese medicine is an alternative treatment for patients with
IgA nephropathy. It is able to remove the depositions in the kidneys and
increase the blood and oxygen supply to the kidneys which can help restore
kidneys. In addition, Chinese medicines treat not only the symptoms but also the
whole person by improving the self-healing.
