What is Membranous Nephropathy?
Membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) is a slowly progressive disease of the
kidney affecting mostly patients between ages of 30 and 50 years, usually
Caucasian.
It is the second most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults, with
focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) being the most common.If you need to know the personal answer about this disease, you can consult online free service or just send your questions to kidneyask@hotmail.com
Causes of Membranous Nephropathy
Membranous nephropathy is caused by the thickening of part of the glomerular
basement membrane. The glomerular basement membrane is a part of the kidneys
that helps filter waste and extra fluid from the blood. The exact reason for
this thickening is not known.
The thicker glomerular membrane does not work normally. Large amounts of
protein are lost in the urine as a result.
This condition is one of the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome. It may
be a primary kidney disease, or it may be associated with other conditions.
The following increase your risk for this condition:
Cancers, especially lung and colon cancer
Exposure to toxins, including gold and mercury
Infections, including hepatitis B, malaria, syphilis, and endocarditis
Medicines, including penicillamine, trimethadione, and skin-lightening
creams
Systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Graves' disease, and
other autoimmune disorders
The disorder occurs in about 2 out of every 10,000 people. It may occur at
any age, but is more common after age 40.
Symptoms of Membranous Nephropathy
Symptoms often begin slowly over time, and may include:
Edema (swelling) in any area of the body
Fatigue
Foamy appearance of urine (due to large amounts of protein)
Poor appetite
Urination, excessive at night
Weight gain
Learn About: Proteinuria in Membranous Nephropathy
Exams and Tests
A physical exam may show swelling (edema).
A urinalysis may reveal large amounts of protein in the urine. There may also
be some blood in the urine. The glomerular filtration rate (the "speed" at which
the kidneys cleanse the blood) is usually nearly normal.
Other tests may be done to see how well the kidneys are working and how the
body is adapting to the kidney problem. These include:
Albumin - blood and urine
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Creatinine - blood
Creatinine clearance
Lipid panel
Protein - blood and urine
A kidney biopsy confirms the diagnosis.
The following tests can help determine the cause of membranous
nephropathy:
Antinuclear antibodies test
Anti-double-strand DNA, if the antinuclear antibodies test is positive
Blood tests to check for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis
Complement levels
Cryoglobulin test
Treatments for Membranous Nephropathy
Common Treatment
The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and slow the progression of the
disease.
Controlling blood pressure is the most important way to delay kidney damage.
The goal is to keep blood pressure at or below 130/80 mmHg.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers
(ARBs) are the medicines most often used to lower blood pressure.
Corticosteroids and other drugs that suppress the immune system may be
used.
High blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels should be treated to reduce
the risk of atherosclerosis. However, a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet is usually
not as helpful for people with membranous nephropathy. Medications to reduce
cholesterol and triglyceride levels (most often statins) may be recommended.
A low-salt diet may help with swelling in the hands and legs. Water pills or
diuretics may also help with this problem.
Low-protein diets may be helpful. A moderate-protein diet (1 gram of protein
per kilogram of body weight per day) may be suggested.
Vitamin D may need to be replaced if nephrotic syndrome is chronic and does
not respond to therapy.
This disease increases the risk for blood clots in the lungs and legs.
Patients are occasionally prescribed blood thinners to prevent these
complications.
However, the above treatment only can alleviate the symptoms of Membranous
Nephropathy, it can’t treat this disease from the root. More Treatment details, please email to kidneyask@hotmail.com
Alternative Treatment
For patients with Membranous Nephropathy( MN), most of them want to treat the
disease from root, but most medicines for this disease is only to eliminate the
symptoms. Later, if there are some causes to trigger the disease, the illness
condition will become more seriously.
Therefore, nowadays, with the development of modern medical technology,
combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine, MN has been controlled very well.
The useful treatment include Natural Immune Balance Treatment, Micro-active
Method, Cells Treatment etc.
This treatment includes Shenkang preparation, classic recipe, and magical
liquid medicine. Many useful nutrition is composed in this treatment, thus
achieving the purpose of expand the blood vessels, improve the blood circulation
of kidneys, enhance the dynamic character of kidneys, reduce the complications
of kidney disease. Meanwhile, promote the permeability of filtration membrane of
glomeruli, clean the toxin and immune complex in the kidneys, increase the
urination, regulate the balance of electrolyte, and restore the kidney
function.
