Protein in Urine: Symptoms and Complications
Proteins are passed into the urine.
It may be a condition due to impaired kidney filtration or absorption.
Protein leakage in urine can occur due to two important reasons:
Damaged glomerular filters:
It occurs when kidney filters are damaged.
They are not able to retain large protein molecules.
Metabolic conditions like high BP, diabetes, etc., may injure glomeruli in the kidneys.
These may cause severe inflammation, scarring, and increased permeability.
Tubular dysfunction:
It may cause changes in the way the kidneys reabsorb proteins.
Normally, the kidneys absorb small protein molecules at the proximal tubules.
Tubules may be damaged due to some disease or kidney overload.
Symptoms of protein leakage in the urine:
- Fluid retention
- breathing difficulty
- Puffiness under the eyes
Advanced kidney damage may lead to nausea, vomiting, and muscle cramps.
Causes of proteinuria:
The protein loss may be temporary and revert on its own.
It may be caused by:
- Dehydration
- Heavy exercise
- High stress
- High fever
- Acute illness
- Long-term standing or sitting
- Urinary tract infection
Other chronic medical conditions include:
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Preeclampsia
- High blood pressure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Autoimmune disorders
- Other systemic diseases like malaria, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease
Can long-term standing or sitting lead to foamy urine?
It is called orthostatic proteinuria.
It may happen in children or adults.
Maintaining one posture for long may cause foamy urine.
It is harmless and not proteinuria.
Can foamy urine indicate proteinuria?
It may not clearly indicate proteinuria.
Laboratory analysis is important to confirm the condition.
The bubbles in the urine may be harmless.
It may occur occasionally in people constantly sitting or standing or due to some dietary changes.
It usually occurs in children and elderly people.
When should one inform the doctor about foamy urine?
If foamy urine persists for a long time and is accompanied by other symptoms like swelling in the face, ankles, etc.
In metabolic disorders like diabetes or high BP, regular urine monitoring is required.
Complications caused by untreated proteinuria:
Kidney damage:
Long-term protein leakage may trigger –
- inflammation in the kidney
- scarring of kidney tissues
- Reduced kidney function
- Chronic kidney disease
- kidney failure
Heart problems
It may affect normal kidney function.
Impaired filtration can affect blood pressure.
The loss of lipoprotein often prompts the liver to produce more proteins and fats.
This may increase cholesterol.
Complications during pregnancy:
Proteinuria may be caused by preeclampsia.
Both high BP and protein leakage may increase complications.
Other complications:
It may lead to nephrotic syndrome.
It may induce severe swelling of the feet, ankles, face, hands, and eyes.
The increased loss of anticoagulant protein may increase the risk of clot formation.
Loss of immunological proteins may increase the risk of infections.
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We manufacture affordable medicines targeting various kidney disorders.
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