The most common causes of protein in urine (proteinuria) are diabetes and high blood pressure because they can damage the kidneys.
Proteinuria itself isn't a disease, but it's often a sign that your kidneys aren't working correctly. Healthy kidneys filter waste products from your blood while retaining important substances like proteins. When the kidneys are damaged, protein can leak into the urine.
Common Causes Explained
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Diabetes: High blood sugar levels over time can damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to diabetic kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy). This damage impairs the kidneys' filtering ability, causing protein to leak into the urine.
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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): High blood pressure can also damage the blood vessels in the kidneys. The increased pressure makes it harder for the kidneys to filter properly, leading to protein in the urine.
Other Potential Causes of Proteinuria
While diabetes and high blood pressure are the most frequent culprits, other conditions can also cause proteinuria:
- Glomerular Diseases: These diseases directly affect the glomeruli, which are the filtering units of the kidneys. Examples include:
- Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
- Membranous nephropathy
- IgA nephropathy (Berger's disease)
- Infections: Kidney infections can temporarily cause proteinuria.
- Immune System Disorders: Conditions like lupus can affect the kidneys and lead to proteinuria.
- Medications: Some medications can damage the kidneys and cause protein to leak into the urine.
- Preeclampsia: This condition occurs during pregnancy and is characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria.
- Multiple Myeloma: A type of cancer that affects plasma cells.
- Strenuous Exercise: Can temporarily cause proteinuria.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Proteinuria is usually detected during a routine urine test. If protein is found in your urine, your doctor will likely order further tests to determine the underlying cause. Treatment depends on the cause and may include medications to control blood sugar or blood pressure, dietary changes, or other therapies to manage the underlying condition.
