IgA Nephropathy (Berger's Disease)

What is IgA Nephropathy (Berger's Disease)?

IgA nephropathy, also called Berger's disease, is a kidney condition that happens when a protein called immunoglobulin A builds up in your kidneys. This protein normally helps your body fight infections. In IgA nephropathy, it deposits in the tiny filters of your kidneys called glomeruli. These deposits cause inflammation and damage that makes red blood cells leak into your urine.

IgA nephropathy is the most common type of primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. Glomerulonephritis means inflammation of the kidney filters. The condition can develop at any age but most often appears in the late teens and early 20s. It affects men about twice as often as women. Some people have mild disease that never worsens, while others develop progressive kidney damage over years.

The disease often shows up after you have a cold or throat infection. You may notice dark or cola-colored urine during these illnesses. This happens because the immune response to infection triggers more IgA deposits in your kidneys. Between these episodes, your urine may look normal even though the disease is still active.

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Symptoms

Blood in urine that appears dark, red, or cola-colored during or after respiratory infections
Foamy urine caused by excess protein
Swelling in hands, feet, or face
High blood pressure
Pain in the sides of your lower back
Fatigue and feeling generally unwell

Many people with IgA nephropathy have no obvious symptoms in the early stages. The condition is often discovered during routine urine tests that show microscopic blood or protein. Some people only experience occasional episodes of visible blood in their urine after infections.

Causes and risk factors

IgA nephropathy happens when too much IgA protein deposits in your kidney filters, but doctors do not fully understand why this occurs. The immune system appears to produce abnormal IgA that clumps together and gets trapped in the glomeruli. This triggers inflammation that damages kidney tissue over time. Genetics may play a role, as the condition sometimes runs in families. Certain genes that affect immune function appear more common in people with IgA nephropathy.

Risk factors include being male, having Asian or Caucasian ancestry, and being in your late teens to late 30s. Upper respiratory infections and gut infections often trigger flares of the disease. Liver disease can also increase your risk because the liver normally clears certain IgA proteins from your blood. A diet high in processed foods and low in omega-3 fatty acids may worsen inflammation in the kidneys.

How it's diagnosed

IgA nephropathy is diagnosed through a combination of urine tests and kidney biopsy. A urine test can detect blood and protein in your urine, which are the first signs of the condition. Blood tests check your kidney function and look for elevated IgA levels. Rite Aid offers urine blood testing as part of our preventive health panel, helping you monitor for early kidney problems.

A kidney biopsy is the only way to confirm IgA nephropathy definitively. During this procedure, a doctor removes a tiny piece of kidney tissue to examine under a microscope. Special staining shows IgA deposits in the glomeruli. Your doctor may also order imaging tests like ultrasound to check kidney size and structure. Regular monitoring through urine testing helps track disease progression and treatment response.

Treatment options

Blood pressure medications, especially ACE inhibitors or ARBs, to protect kidney function
Fish oil supplements with omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation
Reducing salt intake to less than 2,300 mg per day to control blood pressure
Eating a kidney-friendly diet lower in protein and phosphorus
Corticosteroids or immunosuppressants for severe or rapidly progressing disease
Staying well-hydrated and avoiding NSAIDs like ibuprofen that can harm kidneys
Treating infections promptly to prevent disease flares
Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight

Frequently asked questions

IgA nephropathy is caused specifically by IgA protein deposits in kidney filters, while other kidney diseases have different causes. It is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. Unlike some kidney diseases that progress quickly, IgA nephropathy often develops slowly over many years. The hallmark feature is blood in urine that appears during or after respiratory infections.

IgA nephropathy is typically a chronic condition that does not go away completely. However, about 25% of people have mild disease that remains stable without treatment. Some people experience long periods of remission with no symptoms. Early detection and proper management can slow or stop disease progression in many cases.

IgA vasculitis, formerly called Henoch-Schonlein purpura, affects blood vessels throughout the body and causes skin rashes and joint pain. IgA nephropathy affects only the kidneys. Both conditions involve abnormal IgA deposits, but they are separate diseases. IgA vasculitis can sometimes cause kidney involvement that looks similar to IgA nephropathy.

Not everyone with IgA nephropathy needs dialysis. About 20 to 40% of people develop kidney failure within 20 years of diagnosis. Early treatment and careful management can significantly reduce this risk. Regular monitoring helps catch declining kidney function early so treatment can be adjusted.

Limit salt to help control blood pressure and reduce kidney strain. Cut back on processed foods, red meat, and foods high in phosphorus like dairy and sodas. Reduce alcohol consumption as it can worsen kidney function. Focus on eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and omega-3 rich fish like salmon.

Stress can worsen inflammation throughout your body, including in your kidneys. Chronic stress may also raise blood pressure, which damages kidneys over time. Managing stress through exercise, meditation, or therapy may help protect kidney function. However, stress is not a direct cause of IgA nephropathy flares.

IgA nephropathy can run in families, suggesting a genetic component. About 10 to 20% of people with the condition have a family member who also has it. However, it is not inherited in a simple pattern like some genetic diseases. Multiple genes and environmental factors likely contribute to developing the condition.

Most doctors recommend urine testing every 3 to 6 months to monitor protein and blood levels. More frequent testing may be needed if your disease is progressing or treatment has changed. Regular monitoring helps catch worsening kidney function early. Rite Aid offers convenient urine testing to help you stay on top of your kidney health.

Pregnancy can be safe for women with IgA nephropathy if kidney function is good and blood pressure is controlled. However, pregnancy increases the workload on kidneys and may worsen proteinuria temporarily. Women with IgA nephropathy should work closely with both a nephrologist and high-risk pregnancy specialist. Some medications used to treat the condition are not safe during pregnancy.

Controlling blood pressure is the most important lifestyle change you can make. Maintain a healthy weight through diet and regular exercise. Quit smoking, as it accelerates kidney damage. Stay hydrated but avoid excessive fluid if you have swelling. Get adequate sleep and manage stress to support overall immune health.