Protein is a vital component of the body. Trace levels of protein (about 150mg) is unavoidable. However, excessive amount of protein is harmful and indicative of kidney problems and/or some serious underlying disorder. Excess protein in urine is termed as proteinuria.
Symptoms of protein in urine
Proteinuria is a prolonged illness and the associated symptoms typically do not occur during the initial stages. Patients need to take a urine test for proper diagnosis of the condition.
A few common signs and symptoms of excess protein in urine are listed below:
- Cloudy, foamy, or frothy urine
- Pain in the back and pain in the sides, flanks, and/or the area where the kidneys are located
- Swollen face, feet, hands, ankles, or abdomen
- Painful urination; burning sensations when passing urine
- Bloody urine
- Lethargy, nauseous, malaise, and/or fatigue
- Breathlessness
- Smelly urine
- Lack/loss of appetite; weight loss
- Concentration or attention problems
- Frequent urge to pass urine
- Abdominal discomfort or pain
Causes of protein in urine
Temporary instances of protein in urine may occur due to strenuous exercising, exposure to extreme heat or cold, stress, and/or high fever. In these cases, proteinuria resolves on its own in a couple of days.
Women are more prone to suffering from diabetes than men and hence women are at greater risk to protein in urine. High level of protein in urine is rare in children. Obese and overweight people with a family history of weight issues are more susceptible to proteinuria. African Americans are at greater risk to contracting kidney proteins and proteinuria than Caucasians. Other high-risk ethnicities include Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and American Indians.
Excess protein in urine/Proteinuria may be caused due to the below listed underlying diseases:
- One of the primary causes of protein in urine is diabetes. High blood glucose levels can harm the kidneys and prevent them from functioning properly, eventually leading to protein in urine. Uncontrolled cases of diabetes can cause life-threatening serious damage to kidneys and hence it is vital to effectively manage blood sugar levels.
- High blood pressure can adversely affect the arteries near and inside the kidneys. Severe high blood pressure can cause the tiny small arterioles of the glomeruli to burst and tear. This can hamper kidney function and result in proteinuria. Gestational hypertension is often marked by proteinuria in pregnant women.
- Another cause of abnormal protein levels in urine is polycystic kidney disease. The disease is characterized by growth of many cysts or tumors in the kidneys and subsequent enlargement of the kidneys. Enlarged kidneys cannot function properly and result in proteinuria. Patients with polycystic kidney disease may also experience hypertension.
- Pyelonephritis is acute bacterial infection of kidneys marked by swelling and inflammation of the nephrons occurring in the organs. Subsequently kidney malfunction results in passage of protein in urine. Proteinuria may also occur due to nephron glomeruli infection.
- Protein in urine may also be uncommonly caused due to underlying conditions like amyloidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, UTI, Berger’s disease/ IgA nephropathy, dehydration, bladder tumor, congestive heart failure, preeclampsia, malaria, pericarditis and other cardiac conditions, diabetic nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, sarcoidosis, leukemia, multiple myeloma, Goodpasture’s syndrome, lupus, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, heavy metal poisoning, nephrotic syndrome, and side effects of drugs like nephrotoxics that damage kidney function.
Treatment of protein in urine
Treatment of protein in urine is dependent on the underlying causative condition. Doctors will diagnose the pre-existing condition and then offer treatment. For example:
- Infection of kidneys is normally treated with pain medications, antibiotics, and other prescription drugs.
- Diabetes and blood glucose levels can be controlled with different medications, insulin, exercising, diet and lifestyle changes, and other steps as recommended by physician.
- The main active components, diallyl disulphide oxide and allyl propyl disulphide, in garlic and onions have positive effect on blood-glucose levels. Hence, add them to everyday means.
- Drinking a glass of fresh bitter gourd juice on empty stomach every morning is also helpful. Diabetics may also eat bitter gourd as part of the meals.
Follow the below listed home remedies and suggestions to improve kidney function and prevent protein in urine:
- Eating lots of veggies, green leafy vegetables, legumes, fruits, and whole grains
- Include fish in the diet
- Chicken and other similar types of lean meat is better as compared to red meat
- Avoid carbonated beverages. Water is the best thirst quencher
- Restrict the intake of fat and sodium in food
- Add flax seed and soy protein in meals
- Exercise for at least thirty minutes every day
- Maintain a healthy weight; obese and overweight people must get rid of excess body weight
- Meditation, yoga, and other forms of calming exercises can help reduce stress
- Restrict the intake of alcohol. Quit alcohol consumption if possible.
