What are the major symptoms of IgA Nephropathy?
The most frequently seen symptoms are proteinuria and hematuria. Hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine, either as scattered cells discernible only by microscopic analysis or chemical tests (microhematuria), or visible to the eye as a darkening of the urine (macro- or gross hematuria). Rarely in episodes of macrohematuria does the urine look red or “bloody”; usually it is tea-colored or smoky. It may also have a strong smell. Red blood cells predominate; the presence of white cell casts usually indicates inflammation of the glomeruli. Seen in a toilet bowl, diluted by water, this dark urine may give the impression that youre dehydrated. But urine from dehydration is dark yellow or orange in color, whereas urine from macrohematuria has a dark green or black tinge. If there is any doubt, void into a clear plastic cup: the differences in appearance between macrohematuria and dehydrated urine are more striking there than in the toilet bowl. We do not know what causes hematuria or