Symptoms and Detection for Berger Disease

Though it cannot be asserted unless through biopsy , certain symptoms  and indications may suggest Berger disease. IGA Nephropathy in many cases remains undetected untill last stage or much damage has been appreciated by kidneys. Say for in my case, before I was officially detected with Berger's disease, I had observed that  during routine URINE tests while having fever or cold I had been losing RBCs (in traces). The doctors(general physician) just ignored and told that it was normal that few RBCs may randomly appear sometime in urine. Even though that may be true in case of athletes or someone doing rigorous physical activities, in normal healthy humans it is not expected that RBCs appear repeatedly in urine (even though in traces). Hence, if RBCs are repeatedly appearing  in urine, it is surely fishy AND SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED.

First symptoms of  IGA Nephropathy which is observed by patients are usually presence of RBCs in urine. Presence of RBCs can be physically observed by the patient. The urine appears reddish is colour and can be distinctively recognized.It appears bloody and sometimes small blood clots can be seen passing or in collected urine in a container. Not to mention, this is the very reason as to why the disease go undetected in case of female patients untill last. While the disease gets detected much earlier in most of male patient cases.

Further, tests such as 24 hours urine etc. shows loss of protein along with RBCs in urine. Ultra sonography  tests indicate enlargement in kidney size due to  inflammation.

However, the ultimate diagnosis is done through biopsy.

POST TREATMENT CHECK UPS FOR BERGER DISEASE

After the treatment for Berger dis. ease has begun and positive signs ( U r getting well!) is indicated, still following medical tests monthly or bi-monthly are usually suggested by doctors:

1. Routine urinalysis : To check whether you are losing protein(proteinuria) or RBCs (hematuria), whether same has increased or decreased since last check up. It helps to monitor health status.

2. Serum potassium : Like me , patients suffering from IGA nephropathy are treated with medicines for High Blood Pressure such as REPACE-25 in order to lower blood pressure and further prevent damage to kidney. Sometimes( though its rare i guess) ,these medicines tend to increase potassium levels or lower our BP suddenly which is also harmful to our over all health. Hence, serum potassium level may be tested occasionally and checked if it is in range.

3. Serum Creatinine : Elevated creatinine level signifies impaired kidney function or kidney disease. As the kidneys become impaired for any reason, the creatinine level in the blood will rise due to poor clearance of creatinine by the kidneys. Abnormally high levels ofcreatinine thus warn of possible malfunction or failure of the kidneys.

Image below : Cleaned and Dried Neem Bark

Image below: Cleaned and dried peepal bark(chal)

Pics of preserved Peepal and Neem tree bark

PRESCRIPTION OF AYURVEDIC MEDICINE FOR IGA NEPHROPATHY

A CASE HISTORY.....

Here i'll describe how to detect if one is suffering from Iga Nephropathy by giving a case history of self!

It all started during my 11th standard of secondary education when I found my urine reddish in colour! I was obviously terrified and talked about it to mom! She was too worried and we went to a local doctor. After a few pathological test, it was revealed that I was loosing RBCs. A week before this I had suffered from cold and fever. So, the doctor just said that these may be normal and may happen sometimes and nothing to worry. He gave some medicines. After few days it was normal. THE DISEASE WENT UNDETECTED THIS TIME!!

Next time after the completion of secondary schooling, I had taken a holiday! After returning home I suffered from sudden rise in temperature, and serious sore throat(which started during the holiday). In the morning I was shocked to see the urine deep red and thick.

This I referred to a urologist ! Again after lots of pathological tests it was found that I had been losing lots of RBCs again with protein and other stuffs. So, this urologist referred me to a Nephrologist! I was frightened, of course, because from school biology I knew it is now related with some kind of kidney disorder! The Nephrologist ordered ultrasonic tests and some other. He told after the result of above tests that the blood was coming from the kidney that he was sure but still could not detect the reason or the disease. He suggested a biopsy! Now, that was a huge word for me! As far as I knew it was suggested only for cancer and my worries increased further...............

I also consulted another doctor ( a nephrologist) and repeated all the above steps and even this doctor finally suggested biopsy.

Worried from this situation a decision was made to visit Christian medical college, Vellore in South India. Going through my case history the doctor here guessed Iga Nephropathy but he also suggested biopsy for confirmation. In biopsy, as far as I remember, the doctor took a sample of my kidney tissue or nephrons for examination. After the doctor got the report of biopsy it was clear that the disease was Iga nephropathy .

The great thing about this disease was, it was NOT CURE ABLE! That was what the doctor said! I ran through the internet to know about this disease. The doctor gave me Potassium tablets to lower the kidney pressure! I was still losing RBCs and protein! Potassium tablets were to be taken for the rest of my life and Potassium levels were to be checked in my blood routinely! These tablets would control the further growth of disease but not cure it. This left me at discomfort and depressed!

Six months later, I went to Vellore to consult the doctor and check up. The condition was better but still I was losing protein and RBCs. I searched cure for this over the net in vain. After returning to college from Vellore my mind saw no peace of mind and remained troubled for most of the time not being able to concentrate in my studies nor enjoy college life.


After six months during summer vacations of College, my mother suggested for trying Ayurveda. I was a bit skeptical, but as drowning man catches a straw I wanted to get well. Our family planned a trip to Haridwar, Patanjali Yogpeeth to be more specific.   Patanjali Yogpeeth is a built by Swami Ramdev and nice place to stay with lodging and fooding better than most hotels and cheaper as well.
I learnt some pranayam out there from yog gurus and also had appointment with vaidh(doctor) for my disease. The vaidh was young and dynamic but lacked experience by look and after all ayurveda is all about experience and practice.

Patanjali yogpeeth is located a bit distance from Haridwar town. Between Haridwar town and Patanjali Yogpeeth was a place called kankhal, and houses many old ashrams. We visited one of such ashram where resided one very old and experienced vaidh who prescribed me the medicines that brought much relief within few months.

 I went to CMC Vellore after a year and under went various medical tests. Even the doctor was surprised and found that my kidneys were normal once again. All of us my family were happy about that the medicines prescribe at Patanjali had worked.

WHAT IT IS???

IgA nephropathy is a very common form of primary glomerulonephritis (GN) and occurs globally. The frequency varied from 2 to 52% of all renal diseases in various studies from different parts of the world. Well if you have landed on this blog , probably your are looking for a cure and not the cause. If you want to know more about it there are many websites for that so here we will be concentrating only on how to detect and whats the cure!