ABOUT THE DISEASE

Glomerulonephritis refers to a group of diseases where the glomeruli of the kidney gets affected. This is the part that filters blood and helps to remove waste and extra fluid from the body. If it persists, it may damage the kidneys, leading to kidney failure.

It can occur by itself or be part of a more general condition, such as vasculitis or lupus. Glomerulonephritis is sometimes short-lived (acute), but often lasts for a long time (chronic).

SYMPTOMS

• • Puffiness in the face/ankles/abdomen (edema)
• • Less urination
• • Blood in urine (dark, rust-colored urine)
• • High blood pressure
• • Frequent nighttime urination
• • Bubbly or foamy urine (from excess protein)
• • Abdominal pain

CAUSES

The cause may remain unknown in many cases, or may occur due to:

• Infections- strep throat, bacterial endocarditis, viral infections like HIV, Hepatitis B and C.
• Immune diseases- lupus, Goodpasture`s syndrome, IgA nephropathy.
• Vasculitis- Wegener`s disease, polyarteritis nodosa
• Genetic

DIAGNOSIS

- Physical examination
- Blood tests such as for lupus, hepatitis B or hepatitis C
- Urinalysis
- Imaging tests: Abdominal CT scan, Kidney ultrasound, IVP, Chest X-ray
- Kidney biopsy

TREATMENT METHODS

­Treatment depends on the cause of the disorder, and the type and severity of symptoms. It may include:

• • Medications to control Blood pressure-such as ACE inhibitors
• • Corticosteroids
• • Diuretics
• • Immunosuppressants
• • Plasmapheresis
• • Dialysis

You may also like to learn about:

Nephrotic syndrome
Pyelonephritis
Kidney/Renal failure
Diabetic kidney problems
Wegeners granulomatosis
Lupus erythematosus