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Glomerulonephritis - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Definition

Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease; it is caused by inflammation of the internal kidney structures (glomeruli). Glomerular disease can be part of a systemic disease, such as lupus or diabetes, or it can be a disease by itself primary glomerulonephritis. Glomerulonephritis is most common in boys ages in between 6 to 10, but may be occurred at any age.

Causes

This disease may be caused by specific problems with the body's immune system, but the precise cause of some cases is unknown. Broadly we can divide the causes as follows : -

A. Autoimmunity :- When the body's immune system functions properly, it creates protein-like substances called antibodies and immunoglobulins to protect the body against invading organisms.
B. Heredity :- This kind often shows up in young men who may also have hearing loss and vision loss.
C. Infective :- Glomerular disease sometimes develops rapidly after an infection in other parts of the body.
D. Sclerotic diseases : - This means scarring of the glomeruli by various sysytemic and local causes. Example : Diabetes, Lupus disease etc.
E. Idiopathic

Symptoms

The symptoms of glomerulonephritis are similar whether it's acute or chronic. There are several types of glomerulonephritis. If it has been caused by an infection, the early symptoms may include a sore throat. Inflammation in the kidneys may not be obvious at first. Symptoms of kidney damage can come on suddenly or appear up to three weeks after infection. Fluid retention causes swollen feet and legs, as well as puffiness of the face and around the eyes. Urine is passed less frequently and may appear frothy, cloudy or blood-stained. On the other hand, symptoms associated with pyelonephritis are often acute with fever, chills, back ache, and nausea.

Treatment

Streptococci bacteria are usually destroyed with antibiotics such as penicillin. Other infections may require other types of antibiotics and/or anti-viral drugs.

For the other types of glomerulonephritis, different drugs can be used. Steroids and immunosuppressive drugs are often given. They all work by stopping an abnormal antibody from damaging the cells of the kidney filter.
Sometimes patients are treated with plasma exchange. For this purpose, blood is pumped through a special filter which removes the patient's (unhealthy) plasma, leaving behind only the red blood cells.

Other treatment for glomerulonephritis may include fluid restriction, decreased protein diet, decreased salt and potassium diet and medication such as diuretics, blood pressure medications and immunosuppressive agents.