Immunoglobulin A nephropathy, also called IgA nephropathy, IgAN, or Berger’s disease, happens when inflammation builds up in the kidneys and makes it harder for them to work well. There’s no cure yet, so care that helps ease symptoms is important for protecting your kidneys and helping you feel your best with IgAN.

IgAN often begins in young people, and it changes over time. Some people go into remission, meaning their symptoms get better or go away. Others may worsen over the years and develop kidney failure that needs dialysis. Watching your symptoms, taking medicine, and making healthy changes can help slow the disease. Keep reading to learn how supportive care works for IgAN.

Manage Blood Pressure

Supportive care involves treating the related signs and symptoms of IgAN, including factors that can affect the disease course. For example, hypertension (high blood pressure) puts extra strain on the kidneys, so people with IgAN need to be mindful of blood pressure management and heart health. Supportive care for IgAN may include checking your blood pressure at home, taking medicine to control high blood pressure, and making lifestyle changes that help protect your heart.

Studies show that people with IgAN can have blood pressure spikes early in the disease. Even if your pressure seems close to normal, it may creep up and strain your heart and kidneys. Because of this, doctors often prescribe blood pressure medicine, especially angiotensin receptor blockers, called ARBs, or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, called ACE inhibitors. These medicines help relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

Some people need more than one type of blood pressure medicine, such as calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers. Doctors may also prescribe diuretics, which help your body get rid of extra fluid and can make your other blood pressure medicines work better.

Monitor Protein in the Urine

Protein in the urine, or proteinuria, is a common sign of IgAN. This condition is also called albuminuria because albumin is a form of protein in the blood that can leak into the urine, making urine look foamy. When your albumin levels are low, your blood can’t pull extra fluid out of your body. As a result, your lower extremities, like your feet and ankles, may swell up. Your doctor can use blood and urine tests to check for albumin. For example, a urine test called the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) measures how much albumin you have passed into your urine over the past 24 hours.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were first made to lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Later studies showed they can also help protect the kidneys and heart, and they may reduce protein leaking into the urine. Examples of SGLT2 inhibitors that can help protect kidney function include:

• Bexagliflozin
• Canagliflozin
• Dapagliflozin
• Empagliflozin
• Ertugliflozin

If your UACR stays high, your doctor might suggest you take sparsentan (Filspari), which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for people at high risk of kidney disease progression. Your healthcare team can help determine if you should start medication as part of supportive therapy.

Consider Additional Medications

Depending on your health and risk factors, your doctor may suggest other medicines as part of supportive care for IgAN. If your cholesterol is high, they may also recommend a statin, a medicine that lowers cholesterol to help protect your heart.

In addition, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to help control your immune system and reduce inflammation. Examples include corticosteroids, like prednisone, and immunosuppressive treatment with cyclophosphamide. Some studies suggest that immunosuppressant treatment shouldn’t be the first choice. But it may help certain groups more, such as children who are at high risk of the disease getting worse quickly.

It’s important to follow up with your doctor if you experience any side effects or adverse events related to your IgAN treatment plan. Finding the best supportive care plan may take some trial and error, depending on how your body responds to different treatments.

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

You can’t prevent or cure IgA nephropathy with lifestyle changes. However, healthy choices can help keep your glomerular filtration rate (GFR) steady. This kidney health test shows how much blood your kidneys filter each minute.

If you have IgAN, it’s important to quit smoking and stay active. These steps can help slow the disease and support a healthy weight. If you need help, ask your doctor for resources or a referral. A counselor or a fitness professional can also support you and help you build healthy habits.

Eat Right for Your Kidneys

Changing your diet to restrict sodium and saturated fat is good for your kidneys and your heart. Statistics show that cutting down on salt may lower your risk of heart attack and stroke by 20 percent. Low-sodium diets also keep your kidneys from having to work too hard.

High-sodium foods include:

• Canned soups and vegetables
• Condiments, including salad dressing
• Frozen dinners
• Processed meats (like bacon, hot dogs, and cold cuts)
• Salty snacks like pretzels and chips

Even if you don’t use the saltshaker, you could get a lot of unwanted salt from eating processed foods that are high in sodium — some might not even taste salty. That’s why it’s crucial to learn how to read food labels and spot sources of sodium. Look for versions of your favorite products that say “no added salt,” “unsalted,” or “low sodium” on the label. Add plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to your grocery list. Eating fresh produce will help you naturally fill up with less salt.

In general, restaurant meals are high in sodium. Fast-food restaurants and fine-dining restaurants often use extra salt to help food last longer and taste better. Try to cook at home more often. When you eat out, you can ask for your meal to be made without added salt.

It’s smart to avoid high-protein diets when living with IgAN. Eating more protein than your body needs can ramp up kidney dysfunction. Cut back on high-fat meat and dairy products to limit your intake of sodium, saturated fat, and protein. Instead, focus on high-fiber alternatives, like beans, nuts, and whole grains.

Making changes like these can help reduce swelling and prevent cardiovascular problems like strokes and heart attacks. Your doctor may also suggest using a fish oil supplement to reap the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids on inflammation and kidney health. A registered dietitian nutritionist can provide supportive care and guidance for eating well with IgAN. Regular follow-up visits to check your nutrient levels will help you stay on track and get support if your diet needs change as IgAN progresses.

Join the Conversation

On myIgANteam, people share their experiences with IgA nephropathy, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What types of supportive care have you tried to help slow down IgAN? Have you tried medication, diet changes, or immunosuppressive therapy? Let others know in the comments below.