Albuminuria

Albuminuria is a medical condition characterized by the presence of albumin in the urine. It is often an indicator of kidney disease and can be a sign of other underlying health issues such as diabetes and hypertension.

Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]

Albuminuria occurs when the glomeruli in the kidneys are damaged and allow albumin, a type of protein, to pass into the urine. Normally, the glomeruli act as a filter, preventing large molecules like proteins from being excreted. When this filtering mechanism is compromised, albumin leaks into the urine.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Several conditions can lead to albuminuria, including:

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Albuminuria is typically diagnosed through a urine test. The most common tests include:

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

The presence of albumin in the urine is a significant marker for kidney damage and can be used to monitor the progression of kidney disease. It is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment of albuminuria focuses on addressing the underlying cause. Common approaches include:

Blood pressure control with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers
Blood sugar control in patients with diabetes
Lifestyle changes such as diet modification and exercise

Prognosis[edit | edit source]

The prognosis for individuals with albuminuria depends on the underlying cause and the effectiveness of the treatment. Early detection and management are crucial for preventing further kidney damage and associated complications.

Related Pages[edit | edit source]

See Also[edit | edit source]

Health science - Medicine - Nephrology - edit
Diseases of the glomerulus
Lupus nephritis \| Post-infectious glomerulonephritis \| Minimal change disease \| Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis \| Diabetic nephropathy
Diseases of the proximal convoluted tubules
Fanconi syndrome (Type II renal tubular acidosis) \| renal cell carcinoma
Diseases of the distal convoluted tubules
pseudohypoaldosteronism (Type IV renal tubular acidosis)
Diseases of the collecting duct
Type I renal tubular acidosis
Tumours of the kidney
renal cell carcinoma \| Wilms' tumour (children)
Diseases of the renal vasculature
renal artery stenosis \| vasculitis \| atheroembolic disease
Tubulointerstitial diseases of the kidney
Drug-induced interstitial nephritis \| Obstructive nephropathy \| Radiation nephritis \| Reflux nephropathy \| Sarcoidosis
Genetic diseases of the kidney/syndromes associated with kidney dysfunction
Alport syndrome \| Polycystic kidney disease \| Wilms' tumour (children) von Hippel-Lindau syndrome \| Hereditary papillary renal carcinoma \| Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome \| Hereditary renal carcinoma
Genetic diseases of the kidney/syndromes associated with kidney dysfunction
Chronic Kidney Disease Anemia in CKD \| Causes of CKD \| CKD Overview \| CKD Tests and Diagnosis \| Diabetic Kidney Disease \| Eating Right for CKD \| High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease \| Managing CKD \| Mineral and Bone Disorder in CKD \| Nutrition for Advanced CKD in Adults \| Preventing CKD \| Quick Reference on UACR & GFR Kidney Failure Eating and Nutrition for Hemodialysis \| Financial Help for Treatment of Kidney Failure \| Hemodialysis \| Kidney Failure \| Kidney Transplant \| Peritoneal Dialysis Other Kidney Topics Acquired Cystic Kidney Disease \| Amyloidosis and Kidney Disease \| Diabetes Insipidus \| Ectopic Kidney \| Glomerular Diseases \| Goodpasture Syndrome \| Henoch-Schönlein Purpura \| IgA Nephropathy \| Kidney Dysplasia \| Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis) \| Kidney Stones \| Lupus Nephritis \| Medullary Sponge Kidney \| Nephrotic Syndrome in Adults \| Pain Medicine and Kidney Damage \| Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) \| Renal Artery Stenosis \| Renal Tubular Acidosis \| Simple Kidney Cysts \| Solitary Kidney \| Your Kidneys and How They Work \| Your Urinary Tract and How It Works

This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.

‎

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.