Membranous Nephropathy Symptoms, Causes & Treatment explained by Nephrologist

Membranous nephropathy is a chronic kidney disease that affects the glomeruli (The small filtering units in the kidneys) and often leads to nephrotic syndrome, a condition marked by high protein levels in the urine. This condition often results from immune system mistakenly producing antibodies that attack the kidney’s filtration membranes, causing inflammation and thickening of the glomerular basement membrane. Common symptoms include swelling (edema) in the legs, feet, or around the eyes, foamy urine (due to proteinuria), weight gain from fluid retention, and sometimes high cholesterol or high blood pressure (hypertension).

In this video, Dr. A Kishore Kumar, a leading nephrologist, explains the autoimmune causes, risk factors, and stages of membranous nephropathy. He also outlines how doctors diagnose the condition through urinalysis, blood tests, and a kidney biopsy, and discusses treatment options including immunosuppressive therapy, ACE inhibitors reduce protein loss and protect kidney function, and lifestyle changes. Early diagnosis and effective management are crucial in preventing or slowing the progression of kidney failure or advanced renal disease.