Glomerulonephritis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli, which are the tiny filters found in the kidneys
. The function of the glomeruli is to eliminate excess fluid, electrolytes, and waste products from the bloodstream to be excreted in the urine.
Glomerulonephritis can occur suddenly (acute) or slowly (chronic). This disorder can occur primarily by itself or it can occur as part of another disease, such as lupus or diabetes.
The intense or prolonged inflammatory process associated with glomerulonephritis can cause kidney damage. Treatment for this condition depends on the type of glomerulonephritis that occurs.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of glomerulonephritis depend on the type of disease that is acute or chronic, and the cause. In general, signs and symptoms of glomerulonephritis may include:
• Pink, red, or red-brown urine due to the presence of red blood cells in the urine (hematuria)
• Foamy urine due to excessive protein content (proteinuria)
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Fluid retention (edema) characterized by swelling on the face, hands, feet, and abdomen
Reason
Glomerulonephritis can be caused by various health problems. Some conditions that can cause inflammation of the kidney glomeruli are:
• Infection. Several types of infections that can cause glomerulonephritis are post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, bacterial endocarditis, and viral infections.
• Diseases of the immune system. Several types of immune system diseases that can cause glomerulonephritis are lupus, Goodpasture’s syndrome, and IgA nephropathy.
• Vasculitis. Vasculitis or inflammation of the blood vessels that can cause glomerulonephritis is polyarteritis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis.
Diagnosis
Glomerulonephritis is generally detected when routine urine tests show abnormal results. Tests to evaluate kidney function and make a diagnosis of glomerulonephritis include:
• Examination of urine (urinalysis). Urinalysis can show the presence of red blood cells in the urine, which is a sign of possible damage to the glomeruli.
Urinalysis results can also show the presence of white blood cells, which are indicators of infection or inflammation. There will also be an increase in protein levels, which can indicate kidney cell damage. An increase in urea and creatinine levels in the blood is also a sign of kidney damage.
• Blood tests. This test can show signs of kidney and glomerular damage by measuring the levels of waste products, such as creatinine and urea in the blood.
• Imaging examination. If the doctor detects kidney damage, a diagnostic examination may be recommended to get a clearer picture of the kidneys. It can be through X-rays, ultrasound examination (USG), or Computerized Tomography (CT).
• Renal biopsy. This procedure involves using a special needle to remove small pieces of kidney tissue for microscopic examination to determine the cause of the inflammation.
Treatment
Treatment of glomerulonephritis depends on several things, namely:
• Type of glomerulonephritis classified as acute or chronic
• Underlying cause of glomerulonephritis
• Type and severity of symptoms that occur
In some cases of acute glomerulonephritis, especially those that occur after Streptococcal infections, the glomeruli can improve on their own and do not require special treatment.
If there are certain causes underlying the disorder, such as high blood pressure, infection, or disease related to the immune system, treatment is usually directed at that cause.
Prevention
Most glomerulonephritis conditions cannot be prevented. However, there are steps that can be taken:
• Call your doctor for immediate treatment if you have a sore throat due to a Streptococcal infection or an impetigo condition.
• Control high blood pressure, a factor that increases the risk of injury to the kidneys.
• Control blood sugar levels to prevent diabetic nephropathy (kidney problems caused by diabetes).
• To prevent infections that can cause some types of glomerulonephritis, such as HIV and hepatitis, follow guidelines about safe sex. Also, avoid the use of dangerous narcotics.