When you contribute your de-identified medical records to kidney disease research, you join thousands of other patients who have empowered themselves and their community by sharing their story.
We value your story, which is why kidney disease patients with a kidney biopsy confirming their diagnosis join for free.
PicnicHealth organizes all of your medical records in one simple timeline that updates automatically. Keep track of your health history and share important information with your care team.
Whether you're caring for a loved one or managing your own care, PicnicHealth has your back. Explore resources, stories, and tips shared by Change Champions and experts within your kidney disease community.
Just answer a few questions about yourself and let us know who your doctors are. As soon as you finish signing up, we’ll start connecting you with your medical records.
We securely store your data, but you're in charge. We know this is your most private information, so it's entirely up to you if and when you want to give access to anyone else. Whether that's a doctor or a research study, our job is to make sure your records are fully under your control.
IgA Nephropathy, also known simply as IgAN, is a kidney disorder. It happens when a type of protein called Immunoglobulin A (IgA) builds up in your kidneys. This buildup can cause inflammation and damage to your kidney’s filters, known as glomeruli. Over time, this can potentially lead to kidney failure.
The exact cause of IgA Nephropathy is still unknown. Researchers are actively investigating why some people accumulate IgA deposits in their kidneys.
Common symptoms include:
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Excess protein in the urine (proteinuria)
• High blood pressure
• Swelling in the lower extremities (edema)
• Fatigue
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
A kidney biopsy that shows IgA Nephropathy is required to participate in this study. This is because it is currently the most reliable way to formally diagnose the condition.
IgA nephropathy can become life-threatening if it progresses to more advanced stages of kidney disease. However, with proper management and treatment, many people live with the condition for years without progressing to severe stages.
As of 2023, there are two FDA-approved treatments specifically for IgA Nephropathy: Filspari and Tarpeyo. Additional treatment options include corticosteroids, drugs that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants), and medications that help control blood pressure and protect your kidneys (ACE/ARB inhibitors).
Keeping track of your IgA Nephropathy care journey can be tough, and PicnicHealth is here to help. Here are a few tools that make this easier:
Medical record collection: We securely collect your medical records, including lab results, test reports, and treatment history, and store them in one location you can easily access or share with anyone you’d like to keep in the loop, like new providers or family members.
Personalized health dashboard: Our platform makes it easier to track your health data, monitor symptoms, and learn about IgA Nephropathy care.
Living with IgAN can be difficult, but keeping track of your medical records doesn’t have to be. PicnicHealth's resources take care of the hard stuff, like organizing all of your past medical records in one place, so you can focus on taking care of your kidney health. When you join the PicnicHealth community, you become part of a group of people helping to move IgAN treatment forward by participating in easy and accessible medical research – on your terms. Get started with PicnicHealth to experience easier medical records management and patient-powered research.
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