Alport Syndrome Awareness Month: What is the Hidden Danger to Kidney Health?

We at B. P. Poddar Hospital & Medical Research Limited pride ourselves in creating awareness of diseases that are not typically accorded the importance they deserve. Alport Syndrome—a genetic disease of the kidneys, ears, and eyes—is a disease like that. With Alport Syndrome Awareness Month being observed, we want to inform and empower our people to observe the symptoms in time and seek proper medical assistance.

What is Alport Syndrome?

Alport Syndrome is an inherited disorder resulting from mutations in the genes that code for the proteins of collagen production. Collagen is an important protein of the kidney basement membrane, inner ear, and eye. As a result of the defective collagen, Alport Syndrome patients suffer from chronic kidney disease, deafness, and ocular abnormalities.

Symptoms and Early Warning Signs

Identifying the symptoms early on can contribute a lot towards controlling the condition. Some of the most prevalent signs of Alport Syndrome are:

• Blood in Urine (Hematuria): One of the very first and longest-standing of all the symptoms, usually appearing during childhood.
• Protein in the Urine (Proteinuria): A sign of kidney damage, leading to swelling of legs, feet, and eyelids.
• Hearing Loss: Typically develops in late childhood or adolescence, bilateral.
• Abnormalities of the eyes: Lenticonus (conical lens) and fleck retinopathy are frequent but not necessarily threatening to vision.
• Progressive Kidney Failure: Kidney function will become worse if left untreated and lead to CKD and eventual kidney transplant or dialysis.

Why Alport Syndrome Awareness Matters

Since Alport Syndrome is a rare disease, it is most commonly mistaken for other kidney diseases. Awareness makes it possible for patients with a family history of kidney disease to be provided with genetic tests and early screening. Early detection postpones the disease's progress through modification of lifestyle, medication, and medical tests.

Treatment and Management

Alport Syndrome has no cure at the moment, but thanks to advancements in medicine, it has been possible to treat the disease successfully:

• ACE Inhibitors & ARBs: They block the kidneys from losing function and delay the development of kidney failure.
• Routine Hearing and Eye Tests: Early detection of hearing and vision loss enables treatment.
• Healthy Lifestyle Choices: A low-sodium diet, proper fluid intake, and avoidance of nephrotoxic medications can help protect kidney function.
• Kidney Transplant: In those progressing to end-stage kidney disease, the ideal choice is a kidney transplant. The Role of B. P. Poddar Hospital in Alport Syndrome Treatment

Our goal at B. P. Poddar Hospital & Medical Research Limited is to provide cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment facilities for genetic kidney diseases. Our nephrologists are trained to provide special care, genetic counseling, and customized treatment programs for patients with Alport Syndrome.


Join the Awareness Campaign

This Alport Syndrome Awareness Month, we encourage everyone to act positively:

• Promote awareness of the condition.
• Get family members with kidney disease to have genetic screening.
• Facilitate research work for improved treatments.

If you or a relative is experiencing any of the symptoms of Alport Syndrome, do not hesitate to seek medical advice. Early treatment can make life easier. To learn more or make an appointment with our experts, visit doctor booking or call us at +91 62922 35652. Join hands to promote healthy kidneys and spread awareness!