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Warning-sign checks

IgA nephropathy: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Get emergency help for:

    • Severe difficulty breathing
    • Very little or no urine with rapidly increasing swelling
    • Chest pain, fainting, confusion or a seizure
    • Severe weakness with a very fast or irregular heartbeat
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    If you already have the condition, contact your kidney team promptly if swelling, urine output, blood pressure or weight changes noticeably.

    Also seek advice during vomiting, diarrhoea or another illness that may cause dehydration, particularly if you take blood pressure medicines or an SGLT2 inhibitor.

    Seek urgent medical assessment for visible blood in the urine with clots, severe side or back pain, fever, or a clear reduction in urine output.

    These symptoms can indicate severe fluid, kidney or electrolyte problems and should not wait for routine follow-up.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine appointment if you notice persistent foamy urine, new ankle swelling, repeated reddish-brown urine or higher blood pressure readings.

    These findings are not always caused by IgA nephropathy, but they should be assessed.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on IgA nephropathy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.