Written by Types & Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment
Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease in which the
kidney filters become inflammed and slowly loses its ability to remove waste and excess water. Inflammation can cause too much protein and other substances to leak from the blood into the urine.
Types & Causes
There are several types of glomerulonephritis; some are more serious and long-term than others. It may be acute (short-lived) and chronic (long-lived). The acute form, which develops suddenly, can be caused by an infection in the throat or on the skin. The chronic form may develop silently over several years without causing trouble.
Acute glomerulonephritis, commonly found in children of ages 6 to 10 is linked to streptococcal infection of throat or upper respiratory itract,. This is referred to as Acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis. Mesangial glomerulonephritis is related to immune-system abnormalities involving a type of antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA). It can cause red blood cells to spill into the urine, but rarely causes high blood pressure, leg swelling or kidney failure. In Membranous glomerulonephritis, the glomeruli leak large amounts of protein into the urine from the blood.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms depend on acute or chronic form and the cause of the disease. If glomerulonephritis is mild, it will not cause any symptoms and the disease can only be detected through lab tests, Signs and symptoms may include:
* Cola-colored or diluted iced-tea-colored urine from red blood cells in the urine
* Fatigue
* Swelling of the face, hands, feet, and ankles
* High blood pressure
* Less frequent urination than usual
* Blood and protein in the urine
Diagnosis
The disease can be diagnosed through urinalysis to detects blood, protein or signs of infection. If glomerulonephritis is suspected blood tests, imaging tests which include ultrasound examination or a computerized tomography (CT) scan and kidney biopsy is performed.
BUN test - This test measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood that comes from the waste product urea. A BUN test is done to estimate the functioning of kidney. The BUN level increases, if the kidneys are not able to remove urea from the blood. Heart failure, dehydration, certain medicines, intestinal bleeding can also increase the BUN level. Liver disease or damage can decrease the BUN level
Serum creatinine – This test measure the level of the waste product creatinine in the blood and urine. If the kidneys are damaged and cannot function normally, the amount of creatinine in the urine decreases while the amount of creatinine in the blood increases.
Ultrasound - Ultrasound is a noninvasive type test used in the diagnosis of kidney disease. It is also used to diagnose presence of urinary obstruction, kidney stones and also to assess the blood flow into the kidneys.
Kidney biopsy - A kidney biopsy is almost always necessary to confirm a diagnosis of glomerulonephritis. A sample of the kidney tissue is collected by introducing a special needle through the skin into the kidney. The sample is observed under a microscope for the cause of the inflammation
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of glomerulonephritis. When it is caused by an infection, antibiotics may be given. Many treatments can cause serious side effects because they attack the whole immune system. Treatment may include drug therapy, such as ACE (angiotensin converting enzymes) inhibitors, ARBs (Angiotensin II receptor agonists), diuretics, calcium channel blockers and beta blockers.
Severe forms of glomerulonephritis are treated with medications to control high blood pressure, as well as changes in diet to reduce the work of the kidneys. The patients may be advised to drink less fluid and to avoid certain drinks such as alcohol and drinks with a lot of sodium chloride (salt) and potassium.
In some cases glomerulonephritis becomes a chronic condition that lasts for years and progresses to end-stage renal failure. Treatment options of such cases include dialysis and kidney transplant.
