FKP’s Kidney Health blog series about proteinuria continues with this post, which will delve deeper into the complications of untreated proteinuria. If you have excess protein in your urine, you should not ignore it—and this post will explain why.
We’ll begin by covering the most common proteinuria complications, including:
- Progression to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- Elevated Blood Pressure
- Edema (Swelling)
- Cardiovascular Complications
Then, we’ll review the risks associated with ignoring proteinuria, such as:
- Delayed Diagnosis of Underlying Conditions
- Missed Opportunities for Intervention
- Compromised Quality of Life
The latter half of the blog will discuss the potential health consequences of untreated proteinuria. The most common health consequences are:
- End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
- Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Events
- Diminished Long-Term Health
We’ll end the blog by stressing the importance of treating proteinuria as the warning signal that it is so you can play an active role in keeping your kidneys functional and healthy. A proteinuria diagnosis can be overwhelming and even shocking, but we intend to make you feel empowered. Mitigating the potential consequences allows you to prioritize your well-being and protect your kidney function now and for years to come.
Navigating the Path Ahead: Understanding Complications and Risks of Proteinuria
If you’ve been diagnosed with proteinuria, it’s important to learn as much as you can about this condition. The presence of elevated proteins in your urine may not be visible to the naked eye, but the complications and risks of untreated proteinuria may present themselves in ways that will have a significant impact on your quality of life. A proteinuria diagnosis should never be ignored; thinking that proteinuria will go away on its own would be incorrect, especially if proteinuria is being caused by an underlying condition such as high blood pressure or edema.
Now is the time to understand all the potential proteinuria complications and risks you may face so you can feel prepared to make informed decisions, take proactive measures, and even build your resiliency. Florida Kidney Physicians (FKP) wants to educate you on untreated proteinuria and the potential health consequences of ignoring this crucial indicator because we want to emphasize the urgency of addressing this condition. In doing so, we aim to underscore the crucial role your care team plays in guiding and supporting you throughout your journey toward optimal kidney health.
Complications of Untreated Proteinuria
In the early stages of proteinuria, you may not have any symptoms. But, over time, symptoms of proteinuria can develop—foamy, bubbly urine is one of them. Here are the most common proteinuria complications should this condition remain untreated.
- Progression to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Untreated proteinuria is a significant risk factor for the progression of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Persistent protein leakage can lead to gradual kidney damage over time because when your kidneys lose proteins that they’re supposed to retain, they are forced to work harder. Excess strain on your kidneys will continue to damage them. CKD is a serious health concern because it is a progressive disease that can lead to irreversible kidney damage. The more your kidneys malfunction and sustain damage, the more health problems you will likely experience; some of the most common symptoms of CKD include swelling, muscle cramping, nausea, vomiting, and itchy skin, just to name a few.
- Elevated Blood Pressure
There’s a strong correlation between proteinuria and elevated blood pressure. Untreated proteinuria can contribute to hypertension because when proteins are leaking into your urine, your kidneys will attempt to compensate for that loss by retaining excess water and sodium (salt). Excess fluid and sodium are bound to put extra pressure on your delicate blood vessels, and this will inevitably raise your blood pressure. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD) shares that “high blood pressure can constrict and narrow the blood vessels, which eventually damages and weakens them throughout the body, including in the kidneys.”
- Edema (Swelling)
Edema is the medical term for widespread swelling. Edema occurs when excess fluid accumulates in your body’s tissues. Untreated proteinuria can cause fluid retention. When your body retains all that unnecessary excess fluid, you’ll notice swelling in places such as your legs, ankles, stomach, and even your face. Most people find swelling to be rather unpleasant because it can affect their mobility and cause discomfort. According to Mayo Clinic, untreated edema can pose health problems such as increased risk of infection in the swollen area, scarring between layers of tissue, and less ability of the of arteries, veins, joints, and muscles to stretch. Remember, the longer a problematic condition goes untreated, the more difficult it could be to remedy.
- Cardiovascular Complications
Untreated proteinuria could contribute to heart problems because the essential proteins that your body keeps losing through urination can cause inflammation within your blood vessels not only in your kidneys but also throughout the rest of your body. This includes your heart. Inflammation damages the delicate lining of your arteries. Your arteries play a huge role in heart health because they facilitate continuous blood flow. Arteries that continue to narrow or become obstructed due to untreated proteinuria increase your risk of suffering a heart attack or a stroke. Both could be fatal.
Risks of Ignoring Proteinuria
If laboratory testing has determined that proteins are leaking into your urine, you may feel confused, especially since you can’t see the proteins. You might not even have any symptoms. It’s best not to ignore this diagnosis; here’s what could happen if you do.
- Delayed Diagnosis of Underlying Conditions
Consider proteinuria an early warning sign—one that you should heed! Proteinuria has essentially revealed that your kidneys are not working as well as they should. Your kidneys are vital organs; they balance the fluids and electrolytes in your body, remove waste from your bloodstream, help regulate your blood pressure, and even release certain bodily hormones. Should you decide to ignore a proteinuria diagnosis, you need to be aware that you’re taking a huge risk. Proteinuria typically indicates that you have an underlying condition, and that condition will only worsen and potentially lead to more severe complications if it is left undiagnosed and untreated.
- Missed Opportunities for Intervention
Another reason not to ignore a proteinuria diagnosis? It will deprive you and your care team of the opportunity for timely intervention. If indeed you do have an underlying health condition—CKD, for example—your health outcome can be significantly improved through early detection and the formation of a customized treatment plan. Navigating the advanced stages of certain kidney diseases and conditions will, in most circumstances, be far more challenging and demanding. Early detection can significantly slow or even halt the progression of kidney damage, which will be to your benefit physically, emotionally, and mentally.
- Compromised Quality of Life
Take a moment, if you will, and consider your quality of life. Your quality of life directly influences your happiness, satisfaction, and fulfillment. If you ignore your proteinuria diagnosis, you essentially overlook the huge impact it could have on your life and your daily routine. Untreated proteinuria can lead to ongoing symptoms, proteinuria complications, and a diminished ability to engage in hobbies and activities that you enjoy. You deserve to be happy and healthy, and you can improve your chances of maintaining a high quality of life by not waiting around to prioritize your health.
Potential Health Consequences
Untreated proteinuria can lead to potential health consequences—health consequences that can be life-threatening.
- End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
One of the potential endpoints of untreated proteinuria is End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Johns Hopkins Medicine defines ESRD as “the final, permanent stage of chronic kidney disease, where kidney function has declined to the point that the kidneys can no longer function on their own. A patient with end-stage renal failure must receive dialysis or kidney transplantation in order to survive for more than a few weeks.” Having to receive a kidney transplant or undergo dialysis will have a significant impact on your daily routine; you will be in clinical settings frequently, and you might not be able to fulfill certain obligations or responsibilities due to your declining health. Early intervention can preserve your current lifestyle and minimize disruptions caused by intensive yet absolutely necessary medical interventions.
- Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Events
Heart attacks and strokes occur among people with arterial damage. Untreated proteinuria can cause this type of damage due to ongoing inflammation that has been left unchecked. Cardiovascular events can be fatal. If you survive a heart attack or stroke, you will need to undergo rehabilitation and immediately adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle. Treating proteinuria isn’t just about protecting your kidneys—it’s about protecting your heart and cardiovascular system, too. It’ll always be in your best interest to minimize the risk of life-altering cardiovascular events, so this is yet another reason why you should not allow your proteinuria levels to worsen.
- Diminished Long-Term Health
You may feel well today, and just as well tomorrow, but over time, untreated proteinuria can contribute to an overall decline in your long-term health. Proteinuria not only reflects an impairment in your kidney function but also points to other potential problems within other organs and/or systems in your body. We strongly recommend seeking appropriate treatments for proteinuria so you can reduce the likelihood of developing additional health complications in the long run—and, looking back, we think you’ll be incredibly thankful that you took a proactive approach rather than just hoping for the best.
The Call to Action: Seeking Timely Intervention
When your doctor tells you that you have proteinuria, we hope you’ll translate this diagnosis into an immediate call to action. Taking a passive approach to this diagnosis puts your health at risk in the short term and in the long term. You’ll find that your doctor wants to treat your proteinuria with urgency—and there’s good reason for that. Managing, monitoring, and treating proteinuria can lead to more favorable health outcomes. Rely on your care team to help you navigate this diagnosis; scheduling regular check-ups, asking questions, sharing concerns, and adhering to your personalized treatment plan can make a significant difference, and it can even positively influence your outlook on your health.
A Proactive Approach to Kidney Health
Common proteinuria complications—CDK, hypertension, edema, and cardiovascular complications—give you reason to begin treating proteinuria as soon as it is diagnosed. Ignoring proteinuria can prevent you and your doctor from determining if you have an underlying condition, and a delayed diagnosis will prevent a timely and effective intervention. The earlier an underlying condition is diagnosed, the sooner you can receive the prompt, personalized treatment you need to preserve your quality of life. Early detection and timely intervention can help mitigate the potential consequences of untreated proteinuria.
Potential health consequences of untreated proteinuria include ESRD, increased risk of heart attack or stroke, and compromised long-term health. Even if your proteinuria diagnosis has left you feeling nervous, scared, or wondering what to do next, you have a choice—and it’s a powerful one! You can choose to take a proactive approach toward your kidney health by embracing further testing, getting your medication prescriptions filled, making diet and lifestyle modifications, and creating an open line of consistent communication with your doctor. Or you can choose to ignore the diagnosis, carry on, and address symptoms as they come and complications as they arise. The choice is yours, and we are hopeful that you’ll make the right one.