Proteinuria is increased levels of protein in the urine. This condition can be a sign of kidney damage.

Proteins help to build muscle and bone,regulate the amount of fluid in blood,combat infection and repair tissue but If this proteins enter the urine they ultimately leave the body, which is not healthy.

Protein gets into the urine if the kidneys is not working properly. Normally, glomeruli, which are tiny loops of capillaries (blood vessels) in the kidneys, filter waste products and excess water from the blood.

Glomeruli pass these substances, but not larger proteins and blood cells, into the urine. If smaller proteins sneak through the glomeruli, tubules (long, thin, hollow tubes in the kidneys) recapture those proteins and keep them in the body.

However, if the glomeruli or tubules are damaged, if there is a problem with the reabsorption process of the proteins, or if there is an excessive protein load, the proteins will flow into the urine.

Normal amount of protein in the urine are less than 150mg/day. High levels of protein in the urine are associated with rapid decline in kidney function. It affects about 6.7 percent of the United States population. It is seen more in elderly and people with other chronic illnesses.

CAUSES OF PROTEINURIA

In many cases, proteinuria is caused by relatively benign (non-cancerous) or temporary medical conditions.

These include dehydration, inflammation and low blood pressure. Intense exercise or activity, emotional stress, aspirin therapy and exposure to cold can also trigger proteinuria. In addition, a kidney stone in the urinary tract can cause proteinuria.

Occasionally, proteinuria is an early indication of chronic kidney disease, a gradual loss of kidney function.

Other potentially kidney-harming diseases and medical conditions, which can lead to proteinuria, include:

• Immune disorders like lupus and Goodpasture’s syndrome
• Acute inflammation of the kidney (glomerulonephritis)
• Cancer of plasma cells (multiple myeloma)
• Intravascular hemolysis, which is the destruction of red blood cells and release of hemoglobin in the bloodstream
• Cardiovascular disease
• Preeclampsia, the simultaneous development of hypertension and proteinuria in a pregnant woman
• Poisoning

SYMPTOMS OF PROTEINURIA

Often, someone with proteinuria does not experience symptoms, especially if kidneys are just beginning to have problems. However, if proteinuria is advanced, symptoms can include:

• More frequent urination
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swelling in the face, belly, feet or ankles
• Lack of appetite
• Muscle cramping at night
• Puffiness around the eyes, especially in the morning
• Foamy or bubbly urine

HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE FOR PROTEINURIA

Homeopathic medicine has an active role to play as a form of complementary medicine in acting with the other systems of medicine to keep the levels of sugar and blood pressure under accepted levels with certain remedies like 

APIS MELLIFICA : Useful for proteinuria with nephritis.There is scanty high colored urine loaded with casts, contain blood and Coffee colored sediment.Useful for edema, swelling on the face, eyelids, legs, ankle joint and feet.Recommended for edema without thirst.There is burning and soreness on urinating.

CANTHARIS : Useful for urine contains albumin and blood.There is constant desire to urinate with intolerable tenesmus.There is cutting before, during and after urine which is passed drop by drop.

CALCAREA ARSENICOSA : Very useful for both albuminuria and dropsy.There is nephritis with great sensitivity of kidney region.Recommended for frequent urination which passes every hour. Very useful for albuminuria during pregnancy and heart disease.

CHIMAPHILA UMBELLETA : There is scanty urine loaded with ropy, muco-purulent sediment. Useful for burning and scalding during urination and straining afterwards.Useful for frequent desire to urinate with constant pain in the kidney region.

RL - 67