What are the causes of protein in the urine, treatment of proteinuria
With many diseases, the phenomenon of proteinuria occurs, and the causes of protein in the urine to reveal is very important, because in a healthy body it simply should not be. A normal measure is the determination of the protein in urine, in an amount not exceeding 33 micrograms per liter.
Proteins are the main building material from which tissue structures of the human body consist. There is no such cell in the whole body that does not contain protein. In addition, the bulk of ongoing processes need its presence. The most important function of the protein is to maintain the oncotic pressure.
How does the protein get into the urine?
Why in the urine is the protein sometimes present? The blood that passes through the whole body gets to the nephrons of the kidneys, where their filtration takes place. Exhausted as a result of the exchange of substances that are no longer needed, are excreted in the urine, and the necessary substances are absorbed back and then continue to circulate. Some molecules, including protein, have large dimensions, and, provided that the integrity of the kidneys is preserved, they do not pass through their filtration system.
The destruction of the glomeruli of the kidneys leads to proteinuria, and since albumin appears most often in the urine, the process is called albuminuria.
Classification of
For clinical diagnostics, not only the development of proteinuria, but also its quantitative assessment, is of particular importance, therefore they are allocated:
- 30-300 mg of protein per day - microalbuminuria;
- up to 1g - easy;
- 1-3g - moderate;
- From 3 000 mg and more - pronounced proteinuria.
Symptoms of
Most often, with a phenomenon such as traces of protein in the urine, as well as a mild degree of proteinuria does not appear clinically. Certain symptoms with this phenomenon can be noted as follows:
- Very significant protein loss can be accompanied by pain in the bones and muscles. This is observed during myeloma.
- The development of anemia can be manifested by severe weakness.
- Symptoms of nephropathy.
- Decreased albumin in the blood and albuminuria leads to the formation of edema.
- Dizziness and a constant desire to sleep with increased calcium in the blood.
- Change in color of urine. It can be red if red blood cells appear in it, or whitish due to the large amount of protein.
- In cases of inflammation, there is a high fever.
- Decreased appetite, the urge to vomit.
Causes of
The protein content in the urine rises as a result of some physiological reactions that do not require special measures, and pass as soon as the provoking factor disappears. It's hypothermia( or taking a cold shower), a strong emotional shock, a physical overload.
But the total protein in the urine may increase in some pathological conditions:
- myeloma;
- infectious diseases of the urinary system and kidneys;
- diabetes mellitus;
- gestosis in pregnant women;
- systemic diseases;
- cancers;
- traumatic injuries;
- allergy;
- burns and radiation injuries;
- concussion of the brain;
- epileptic seizures;
- hypertension;
- chemotherapy, etc.
When a protein appears in the urine, you should immediately consult a specialist, because only he can determine the true cause of this phenomenon and, comparing the clinical picture, the patient's complaints, the history of the disease, prescribe additional studies, diagnose and recommend adequate treatment.
Indications for analysis of
Such a study is mandatory prescribed for kidney disease( pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis), urinary tract( cystitis, urethritis).The analysis of urine for the maintenance of protein in it is used during the passage of compulsory physical examinations. If you have an infection that was caused by streptococci( purulent sore throat or scarlet fever), you also need to do a second analysis a few weeks after recovery.
Doctors use follow-up tests to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and the dynamics of the patient's condition.
How to collect urinalysis
For the correct interpretation of the result of a urinalysis, the rules for its collection should be observed. One-off portion should be collected in the morning. The container for this is used clean and dry, with a wide neck.
For newborn children a special urinal is used, which can be bought at the pharmacy, it is not necessary to collect urine from the baby by squeezing a wet diaper into the jar, this can result in an incorrect result.
Before you collect the test, you should thoroughly wash your genitals, but without using soap, or other hygiene products.
What should I do if I have protein in my urine?
In order to eliminate the protein in the urine, it is necessary to identify the cause of its appearance. Most often, this phenomenon occurs if a person has diabetes mellitus, or prolonged hypertension.
With diabetes it is important to follow a certain diet, and take medications that are prescribed by an endocrinologist. Hypertension is stopped with the help of special means, their constant reception can normalize the pressure digits, many of which have a nephroprotective effect.
Treatment for inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract is to use antibacterial, diuretic, anti-inflammatory drugs. With glomerulonephritis or kidney anomalies, the patient is registered under the constant supervision of a nephrologist.
If changes in the urine are associated with an allergic reaction, then you should identify the allergen, eliminate its effect on the body, use antihistamines for treatment.
If it is not possible to influence the main process that led to proteinuria, symptomatic therapy should be used to alleviate the general condition of the patient.
Any literate person should pay close attention to the processes that occur in his body. And if found in the urine protein is not delayed with a visit to a specialist.
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