The body makes use of protein, found in the blood, to carry out a host of functions – blood clotting, circulating fluid throughout the body and battling infections. On the other hand, an excess of protein is a problem.
When the kidneys fail to function properly, protein may leak out, from the blood, into the urine; and consequently, protein levels will be abnormal.
What Causes High Protein Levels In Kidneys?
Proteinuria occurs when there is an excess of protein in your urine. Although, the surplus protein is found in the urine, the disorder is within the kidneys.
Normally, when the blood enters the kidneys, they filter the waste products and keep the proteins. However, if the glomeruli present in the kidneys are damaged, then the proteins bypass the kidneys and enter the urine.
Proteinuria signifies a chronic kidney disease; i.e. there is a loss of kidney function or there is severe kidney impairment.
- Diabetes: People having diabetes develop high protein content in the kidneys resulting in proteinuria. Elevated blood sugar levels overburden the kidneys, impairing them.
- High blood pressure: Is another significant cause. Hypertension triggers kidney failure, thus hampering their working.
- Kidney inflammation: Nephritis is indicative of infection or autoimmune disorder. There will be high protein levels in the kidneys as well as swelling in the body.
Symptoms Of High Protein In Kidneys
Most people do not know they have a kidney disease until the urine is tested. Occasionally, some symptoms and clinical features are present:
- Foamy urine
- Swelling of the face, hands, feet, and abdomen.
- Sudden weight loss may be seen.
- Nausea
- Fever
- Exhaustion
Treatment For High Protein In Kidneys
Your body requires protein to build strong muscles; however, it can’t store the surplus protein. The kidney functions as the body’s filter, separating the useful from the worthless. Thus, it is very vital that you ascertain the exact cause and start prompt treatment. You need to run a battery of tests and investigations to establish the cause that is impairing the functioning of the kidneys.
- Diets that are very high in protein cause kidney problems. Diminishing the intake of protein in such cases is essential.
- Incorporate loads of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, it helps your kidneys.
- Drink plenty of water. The kidneys need water to help in their function of filtering and when you are dehydrated, filtering gets hampered. When your body has high levels of protein, and there is an insufficiency of water, crystallization occurs, and eventually kidney stones develop. When you drink ample water, you help the kidneys to process the protein better and a buildup of crystals does not occur in them. Have at least 3 liters of fluid per day – 12 glasses of water, juices, soups and broths.
- You need to confer with your health care provider. If your kidneys have been damaged, even normal amounts of protein are harmful. When the kidneys are damaged and unable to process the protein, it slips through the cracks in to the urine. If the kidney disease is not diagnosed on time, it may aggravate to the point where dialysis or a kidney transplant become necessary.