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Glomerulonephritis
Inflammation of Glomeruli
Glomerulonephritis is type of kidney disease that damages the tiny filters in the kidneys called glomeruli (clusters of tiny blood vessels that filter the blood to extract urine.) It is sometimes called nephritis. Damaged glomeruli cannot filter a person's blood properly, which may lead to acute kidney failure.
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Glomerular disease reduces the kidneys' ability to maintain a balance of certain substances in bloodstream. Normally, the kidneys filter toxins out of the bloodstream and excrete them in the urine but keep red blood cells and protein in the bloodstream. In people with glomerular disease, red blood cells and protein may be excreted into the urine, while toxins may be retained.
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Glomerular disease can occur by itself (i.e. affect only the kidney) or may be associated with an underlying medical condition that affects other organ systems, such as lupus, diabetes, or certain infections.
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Glomerular Disease Features
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Signs and symptoms of glomerular disease depend upon the cause. The first sign of a problem may be a urine test (urinalysis) that comes back abnormal after being done for another reason. The urinalysis may detect:
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More red blood cells than normal called haematuria – In addition to showing up on urinalysis, this sometimes causes the urine to look light or dark brown in colour.
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More protein than normal called proteinuria.
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Signs and symptoms may also include an elevated blood pressure (greater than 130/80 mmHg); fluid retention (edema) in the hands, face, feet, and/or abdomen; fatigue (due to anaemia or kidney failure); or urinating infrequently.
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Glomerular Disease Treatment
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Treatment of glomerular disease depends upon its cause and type. The treatment of glomerular disease depends upon the form (acute or chronic), the underlying cause, and the severity of associated signs and symptoms. Some forms of glomerular disease, such as that caused by infection, improve after the infection is treated. Other types of glomerular disease may require treatment with medications that suppress the immune system.
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Managing high blood pressure — Management of high blood pressure is important to prevent further damage to the kidneys; one or more medications may be needed.
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