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It is a group of diseases that damage the part of the kidney that filters the blood (called glomerulus).
Other terms you may hear are nephritis and nephrotic syndrome.
When the kidney is injured, it can not eliminate waste and excess fluid in the body. If the disease continues, the kidneys may stop working altogether, causing kidney failure.
Types
There are two types of glomerulonephritis, acute and chronic. The acute form develops suddenly. You can get it after an infection in the throat or on the skin.
Sometimes, you can improve on your own. Other times, your kidneys may stop working unless the correct treatment starts quickly. The first symptoms of acute disease are:
- Swelling of your face in the morning.
- Blood in your urine (or brown urine).
- Urinating less than usual.
You may have trouble breathing and coughing due to excess fluid in your lungs. You may also have high blood pressure. If you have one or all of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.
The chronic form can develop silently (without symptoms) for several years. It often leads to complete renal failure. The first signs and symptoms of the standard format may include:
- Blood or protein in the urine (hematuria, proteinuria ).
- High blood pressure
- Swelling of the ankles or face (edema).
- Frequent nocturnal urination.
- Urine is very bubbly or frothy.
Symptoms of kidney failure
- Lack of appetite.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Fatigue.
- Difficulty in sleeping.
- Dry and itchy skin.
- Muscular cramps at night.
Causes
What causes acute glomerulonephritis?
The acute disease can be caused by infections such as strep throat. It can also be caused by other conditions, such as lupus, Goodpasture syndrome, Wegener’s disease, and polyarteritis nodosa.
Early diagnosis and timely treatment are essential to prevent kidney failure.
What causes chronic glomerulonephritis?
Sometimes, the disease occurs in the family. This type often appears in young men who may also have hearing and vision loss.
Changes in the immune system cause some forms. However, in many cases, the cause is not known. Sometimes, you will have an acute attack of the disease and develop the chronic form years later.
Diagnosis
The first clues are the signs and symptoms. Finding proteins and blood cells in your urine is another sign. Blood tests will help the doctor determine his type of disease and how much he has damaged the kidneys.
In some cases, a test called a kidney biopsy might be needed. A small portion of your kidney is removed with a special needle and looked at under a microscope in this test. A biopsy will help the doctor plan the best treatment for you.
Can glomerulonephritis be prevented?
Not until more is known about its causes; however, good hygiene, practicing “safe sex,” and avoiding IV drugs are helpful to prevent viral infections such as HIV and hepatitis, which could lead to this disease.
If you have a chronic type of glomerulonephritis, it is essential to control your blood pressure as this can slow down kidney damage. Your doctor may tell you to eat less protein. A dietitian trained to work with kidney patients (a kidney dietitian) can be very helpful in planning your diet.
Treatment
The acute form can disappear by itself. Sometimes you may need medication or even temporary treatment with an artificial kidney machine to remove extra fluid and control high blood pressure and kidney failure.
Antibiotics are not used for acute glomerulonephritis but are essential in treating other forms of disease related to bacterial infection. If your illness worsens, you may be given high doses of medications that affect your immune system.
Sometimes your doctor may order plasmapheresis, a unique blood filtration process to remove harmful proteins from your blood.
There is no specific treatment for the chronic form of the disease. Your doctor can tell you that:
- Eat less protein, salt, and potassium.
- Control your blood pressure.
- Take diuretics (water pills) to treat the swelling.
- Take calcium supplements.
What is nephrotic syndrome?
Nephrotic syndrome (also called nephrosis) occurs when the kidneys lose significant amounts of protein in the urine. As your kidneys get worse, more fluid and salt build up in your body. This causes swelling (edema), high blood pressure, and higher cholesterol levels.
The nephrotic syndrome can come from kidney diseases or other diseases such as diabetes and lupus.
