Protein presents in every human’s blood. The protein which is present in the human’s blood is known as albumin. It is useful to do may important jobs in the body, like help to build your muscles and bones, control the amount of fluid and prevent infection inside the blood.

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What is Protein in Urine?

The kidney is used to remove extra fluid and waste from your blood but keeps proteins and other important nutrients in the bloodstream. When your kidneys are not functioning as they should do, then your kidney let some protein (albumin) escape through their filters, into your urine. When the protein passes through your urine, it is called proteinuria (or albuminuria). Having protein in your urine can be a sign of nephrotic syndrome, or an early sign of kidney disease.

Who are at The Risk of Protein in Urine?

Anyone can have protein in the urine. But, your risk increases for having it if you have any of the risk factors for kidney disease, like:

• Diabetes

• High blood pressure

• Family history of kidney disease

What are the Causes of Protein in Urine?

As we know, our kidneys filter waste products from our blood while retaining what our body needs including proteins. However, some kidney diseases and conditions allow proteins to pass through the filters of your kidneys, causing protein in the urine.

Conditions which can cause a sudden or temporary rise in the levels of protein in the urine, but don’t necessarily indicate kidney damage, include:

• Dehydration

• Emotional stress

• Exposure to extreme cold

• Fever

• Strenuous exercise

Diseases and conditions that can cause persistently elevated levels of protein in the urine, which might indicate kidney disease, include:

• Amyloidosis

• Certain drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

• Chronic kidney disease

• Diabetes

• Endocarditis (infection in the inner lining of the heart)

• Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)

• Glomerulonephritis (swelling in the kidney cells that filter waste from the blood)

• Heart disease

• Heart failure

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Hodgkin’s disease)

• IgA nephropathy (kidney inflammation resulting from a buildup of the antibody immunoglobulin A)

• Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)

• Lupus

• Malaria

• Multiple myeloma

• Nephrotic syndrome

• Orthostatic proteinuria (protein level in the urine rises when in an upright position)

• Preeclampsia

• Pregnancy

• Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease)

• Sarcoidosis (collections of inflammatory cells in the body)

• Sickle cell anemia

When your kidney damages a lot and amounts of protein moves through the urine, you may notice the following symptoms:

• Foamy, frothy or bubbly-looking urine

• Swelling in your feet, hands, abdomen or face

If you have the above symptoms, then your kidney damage may be severe. Talk to your doctor immediately about your symptoms and what treatment is best for you.

About Dr. Tarun Kaushik: Doctor Tarun Kaushik is a well-known Nephrologist in Delhi – NCR. If you feel any symptoms of the disease or any kidney-related problems then you can book a free online appointment and consult to the doctor.

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