Patient's question:
How is IgA nephropathy classified? What are the types? Which one is more severe?Doctor's answer:
There are many types of kidney diseases, such as acute and chronic glomerulonephritis, hidden nephritis, allergic purpura nephritis, pyelonephritis, and various kidney diseases like IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, renal hypertension, lupus nephritis, gouty nephritis, diabetic nephropathy, nephrotic syndrome, hydronephrosis, renal cysts, and congenital polycystic kidney disease. All of these can eventually develop into renal failure—uremia. They are all types of kidney diseases.Recommendation: Currently, the treatment of kidney diseases is generally considered better with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) than with Western medicine. Western medicine primarily uses hormone therapy for the treatment of various types of glomerulonephritis, nephritis, and nephrotic syndrome. However, hormones have strong masking effects on the condition, significant side effects, and a high recurrence rate. For the treatment of renal failure—uremia, in addition to dialysis and kidney transplantation, there is still a lack of more ideal methods. Moreover, dialysis can only maintain life but does not address the root cause and can lead to dependency. Furthermore, kidney transplantation has a relatively low success rate, and rejection reactions are difficult to resolve temporarily. Added to this are the high costs, which often make patients reluctant to pursue this option.
TCM, on the other hand, is different. On one hand, it has significant efficacy and a low recurrence rate. On the other hand, it is painless, has no toxic side effects, and is cost-effective. Therefore, the current treatment of kidney diseases and uremia with TCM is on par with some technologically advanced medical countries.
In summary: While kidney diseases are difficult to treat, they are not incurable. As long as the key to treatment is grasped and medication is used reasonably, ideal results can certainly be achieved.