Symptoms You Need to Know
Kidney damage can happen slowly and may be hard to notice at first. Your kidneys help remove waste and extra fluid from your body. When they start to get damaged, your body may give you warning signs. Luckily, there's Filspari, a prescription medication used to treat a rare kidney condition called IgA nephropathy (IgAN).
4 Signs of Kidney Damage
1. Tiredness
Feeling very tired all the time can be a sign of kidney damage. When your kidneys don’t work well, waste can build up in your body. This can make you feel weak and tired, even if you’re getting enough rest.
2. Swollen Feet or Ankles
Kidneys help balance the amount of fluid in your body. If they aren’t working right, fluid can build up and cause swelling, especially in your feet or ankles. This is called edema, and it’s a sign that your kidneys might not be removing enough fluid.
3. Changes in Urination
If you notice changes in how often or how much you urinate, it could be a sign of kidney damage. You may need to go to the bathroom more or less often, and your urine might look foamy, darker or have blood in it.
4. Trouble Sleeping
Kidney damage can make it harder to sleep. When your kidneys don’t filter waste properly, it can build up in your blood and make you feel restless or uncomfortable, which can affect your sleep.
Treatments for Kidney Damage
If you have signs of kidney damage, it’s important to see a doctor right away. Here are some common treatments:
- Medications: Your doctor may give you medicines to help control blood pressure, blood sugar or cholesterol. These can help protect your kidneys.
- Diet changes: Eating a healthy diet can reduce stress on your kidneys. You may need to limit salt, protein and certain foods that are hard on the kidneys.
- Dialysis: If your kidneys are severely damaged, dialysis may be needed. This is a treatment that helps clean your blood when your kidneys can’t.
- Kidney transplant: In very serious cases, a kidney transplant may be needed to replace the damaged kidney with a healthy one.
- Filspari: Filspari (sparsentan) is a prescription medication used to treat a rare kidney condition called IgA nephropathy (IgAN), also known as Berger’s disease. IgA nephropathy occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) builds up in the kidneys, causing inflammation that can lead to kidney damage over time. Filspari works by blocking two receptors (endothelin and angiotensin) that are involved in causing high blood pressure and kidney damage, helping to reduce protein loss in the urine and slow down the progression of kidney disease.
Managing Your Kidneys
If you notice any of these signs, talk to your doctor. Early treatment can help protect your kidneys and keep them working well.