Proteinuria: Causes, Symptoms, Tests & Treatment

Renal Sciences | Posted on 09/16/2024 by Dr. Devendra K. Sharma

Introduction

Do you often experience frequent urination or foam in your urine? If yes, then it might be an indicator to a condition called proteinuria. It is more common than you might think until it's detected in a routine checkup. This condition is characterised by the leakage of excess protein into the urine, which may indicate kidney problems or other health problems.
Even though proteinuria is a very mild condition, it is important to understand its implications since, if caught early, more serious issues can be avoided. Let's examine proteinuria in more detail, including its signs, causes, and management options in this blog.

If you are having any of the symptoms, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with one of the best nephrologist in Jaipur at CK Birla Hospitals. 

What is Proteinuria?

An excessive amount of protein in the urine is the indicator of the condition known as proteinuria. In normal circumstances, your kidneys remove waste products from your blood while keeping necessary components like proteins. Proteinuria, on the other hand, is the result of proteins leaking into the urine due to improper kidney function. 

This condition may be transient as a result of diseases or stress, or it may be a sign of more serious conditions such diabetes or chronic renal disease. Hence, it is crucial to consult a healthcare expert at the earliest to receive proper treatment on time.

What are the Types of Proteinuria?

Depending on the cause and the proteins involved, there are various types of proteinuria:

• Transient Proteinuria: This kind develops momentarily as a result of stress, exercise, or fever. Usually, it goes away on its own without any special care.
• Orthostatic Proteinuria: It is a form of urine that develops when standing but goes away when lying down. It is typically seen in young adults and teenagers.
• Persistent Proteinuria: A more serious form of proteinuria is persistent proteinuria, which suggests ongoing kidney injury or other chronic diseases.
• Selective Proteinuria: Only particular kinds of proteins typically albumin leak into the urine in cases of selective proteinuria.
• Non-selective Proteinuria: When more than just albumin leaks into the urine, it's frequently a sign of more serious renal impairment.

What are the Symptoms of Proteinuria?

Proteinuria is difficult to diagnose without the right testing since it frequently exhibits few or no symptoms. Nonetheless, a few indicators could point to the existence of this illness:

• Foamy urine: Excess protein can give urine a bubbly, frothy appearance.
• Swelling (edema): Loss of protein can cause fluid to accumulate in the hands, feet, or area surrounding the eyes, among other parts of the body.
• Fatigue: Feelings of weakness or exhaustion may result from low protein levels.
• Unintentional weight gain: Some people may have an abrupt rise in weight as a result of fluid retention.
• Urinating a lot: You may find that you need to urinate a lot, particularly at night.

What are the Causes of Proteinuria?

Proteinuria causes includes numerous benign to dangerous illnesses. Here are a few typical causes:

• CKD, or chronic kidney disease: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent cause of persistent proteinuria and is the outcome of kidney damage over time.
• Diabetes: The kidneys' filtering function can be harmed by high blood sugar, which can result in proteinuria.
• High blood pressure: Excessive pressure on the kidneys might result in protein leakage.
• Glomerulonephritis: Proteinuria may result from glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the kidney's filtration units.
• Infections: Protein levels in the urine might momentarily rise due to systemic diseases, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Autoimmune diseases:Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are two conditions that can impair kidney function and cause proteinuria.
• Medication: Proteinuria is a side effect of some medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs).

What are the Risks and Complications of Proteinuria?

Proteinuria can cause several risks or complications if left untreated, most of which are linked to kidney impairment and related illnesses:

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression: One of the main risks for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD), which can result in kidney failure, is persistent proteinuria.
• Cardiovascular illness: Because proteinuria can be a sign of blood vessel damage and systemic inflammation, it is frequently associated with an elevated risk of heart disease.
• Edema: Severe protein loss, especially in the lower limbs, can result in fluid retention and swelling.
• Malnutrition: Severe proteinuria can cause a loss of vital proteins, which can cause wasting of the muscles and nutritional deficits.
• Increased susceptibility to disease: The body may become more prone to illness if it loses proteins that aid in the fight against infections.

How is Proteinuria Diagnosed?

Diagnosing Proteinuria typically involves several tests and evaluations to determine the underlying cause and the severity of the condition:

• Urine dipstick test: A quick and straightforward test that can detect protein levels in the urine.
• 24-hour urine collection: This test measures the exact amount of protein excreted in the urine over 24 hours.
• Urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR): A spot urine test that estimates the amount of protein in the urine relative to creatinine.
• Blood tests: These can help assess kidney function and detect underlying conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Imaging studies: Ultrasound or CT scans may be used to visualise the kidneys and detect any structural abnormalities.
• Kidney biopsy: In some cases, a small sample of kidney tissue may be taken for further analysis to determine the cause of Proteinuria.

Proteinuria treatment

The underlying cause of proteinuria has a major role in the treatment plan. Proteinuria can frequently be reduced or completely cured by treating the underlying cause:

• Medication: To lower blood pressure and safeguard renal function, doctors frequently give ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs).
• Diabetes care: In individuals with diabetes, regulating blood sugar levels is essential to avoiding kidney damage.
• Lifestyle modifications: In individuals with hypertension or chronic kidney disease (CKD), proteinuria can be better managed with a low-sodium diet, frequent exercise, and weight maintenance.
• Treatment for infection: If proteinuria is the result of an infection, suitable antibiotics or antiviral drugs may be recommended.
• Monitoring: To keep an eye on proteinuria and modify medication as necessary, routine follow-up visits and urine testing are crucial.
• Dietary changes: To lessen the burden on the kidneys, a diet reduced in salt and protein may be advised.

Conclusion

Even though proteinuria is usually a silent condition, it is a crucial measure of kidney health and general wellbeing. Understanding the underlying causes and identifying its symptoms can help with early diagnosis and efficient treatment, possibly averting serious problems. To treat the underlying reason and reduce potential dangers, it's essential to work closely with a healthcare physician if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with proteinuria. Adherence to prescribed medications, regular check-ups, and a healthy lifestyle can significantly impact the management of proteinuria and preserve normal kidney function.