IgA Kidney Disease, also called Berger's disease, is an autoimmune disease
that causes inflammation of the glomeruli, the individual filtering units of the
kidney that produce urine. Steroids medication to suppress the immune system may
be prescribed to treat this disease, and patients often suffer from several
troublesome side effects.
How do steroids work to treat IgA kidney disease?
These medicines work by decreasing and reducing the activity of the immune
system. Inflammation is a process in which the body's immune system can protect
against infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses.
In IgA Nephropathy, however, the body's defense system (immune system)
doesn't function properly. This might cause inflammation to work against the
body's tissue and cause damage.
Steroid medication reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals which can
minimize the damage. Moreover, it can reduce the activity of the immune
system.
The occurrence of steroids side effects depends on the dose, type of steroid,
and length of treatment. Some side effects are more severe than others. Common
side effects include:
▪ An increase of appetite, weight gain
▪ Puffy, or swollen face
▪ Osteoporosis (bone weakening disease)
▪ Hypertension (high blood pressure)
▪ Difficulty in sleeping
▪ Sudden mood swings
▪ Weakened muscle
▪ More susceptible to infection
▪ Blurred vision
▪ Worsening of Diabetes
▪ Nervousness, restlessness
To avoid being afflicted by the above side effects, lots of patients tends to
receive natural treatment for IgA Kidney Disease.