Glomerulonephritis

Inflammation of the small filters in the kidneys (glomeruli) is called glomerulonephritis. Waster and excess fluid that glomeruli remove from the bloodstream goes away from the body through the urine. Moreover, this condition may occur suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic) and may happen on its own or due to other health problems (including lupus or diabetes). Without treatment, this condition may cause damage to the kidneys, especially if it is severe or prolonged. Healthcare providers prescribe treatment for glomerulonephritis depending on which type you have.

Symptoms

The symptoms people with glomerulonephritis experience depend on the form (acute or chronic). Check below some symptoms:

• Hematuria (pink or cola-colored urine from red blood cells)
• Bubbly or foamy urine caused by excessive protein in the urine (proteinuria)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Edema (fluid retention) that causes swelling in the face, hands, feet, and abdomen.
• Reduced urination
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue)

If any of the previous symptoms occur, immediately visit a healthcare professional.

Causes

Although this condition may occur on its own, there are multiple health conditions that contribute to it. In some cases, glomerulonephritis runs in families and not every time it is possible to determine the exact cause. Check below some factors that may contribute to this condition:

Infections

Infections can cause glomerulonephritis either directly or indirectly. For example:

• Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis – Sometimes, this condition occurs within a week or two after people recover from a strep throat infection or rarely a skin infection caused by streptococcal bacteria (impetigo). Commonly, inflammation occurs when antibodies to the bacteria begin to build up in the glomeruli. However, post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis happens more frequently in children but can occur in adults too.
• Bacterial endocarditis – This is an infection of the heart’s chambers and valve lining. Nowadays, it is not completely clear whether kidney inflammation occurs due to immune system activity alone or if other factors also contribute to it.
• Viral kidney infections – These include hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
• HIV infection – This infection causes AIDS and may lead to glomerulonephritis and progressive kidney damage.

Autoimmune Conditions

Autoimmune diseases are caused by an immune system reaction that attacks healthy tissues. Check below some autoimmune conditions that may cause glomerulonephritis:

• Lupus – This is a chronic inflammatory disease (also known as systemic lupus erythematosus) that impacts different body parts (such as skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs).
• Goodpasture’s syndrome – This is a rare condition (also called anti-GBM disease), in which immunity makes antibodies to tissues in the lungs and kidneys. Furthermore, this autoimmune disease may cause permanent damage to the kidneys.
• IgA nephropathy – The primary line of defense against infectious agents is an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA). This condition happens when antibody deposits accumulate in the glomeruli. Commonly, damage and inflammation are detected after a long time and one of the most common symptoms is blood in the urine.

Vasculitis

This is a condition in which blood vessels become inflamed. Check below some vasculitis types that may cause glomerulonephritis:

• Polyarteritis – This vasculitis type negatively affects small and medium blood vessels in different body parts (including muscles, kidneys, skin, joints, and digestive tract).
• Granulomatosis with polyangiitis – This vasculitis type also affects small and medium blood vessels in the lungs, upper airways, and kidneys. Previously, this condition was known as Wegener’s granulomatosis.

Sclerotic Conditions

The following health problems cause scarring of the glomeruli that leads to poor and declining kidney function. For example:

• Hypertension – If you experience this condition for long periods it may lead to inflammation and scarring of the glomeruli.
• Diabetic nephropathy (diabetic kidney disease) – Increased levels of sugar in the blood may contribute to scarring of the glomeruli as well as increase the rate of blood flow through the nephrons.
• Focal segmental glomerulonephritis – In people with this condition, scarring is scattered among some of the glomeruli, which usually happens due to other health problems.

Other Causes

Rarely, chronic glomerulonephritis runs in families. Furthermore, this condition is often associated with certain cancer types (including gastric cancer, lung cancer, and chronic lymphocytosis leukemia).

Complications

This health problem negatively affects the ability of nephrons to filter the waste and extra water from the bloodstream. As a result, it leads to:

• Accumulation of toxins in the bloodstream
• Poor regulation of essential nutrients and minerals
• Loss of blood proteins and red blood cells

Check below the potential complications of glomerulonephritis:

• Acute kidney failure – This condition happens suddenly and is characterized by a fast decline in kidney function. In addition, the accumulation of waste in the blood may be life-threatening if you do not get treatment immediately.
• Chronic kidney disease – Long-term damage and poor kidney function happens usually due to persistent inflammation. This kidney disease type may advance to end-stage kidney disease that usually requires a kidney transplant or dialysis.
• Hypertension – Inflammation may cause damage or scarring to the glomeruli, which may increase your blood pressure.
• Nephrotic syndrome – This is a health condition in which an increased blood protein in the urine occurs while too little in the bloodstream. However, these proteins play an important role in regulating cholesterol levels and fluids. Nephrotic syndrome may cause hypertension, high cholesterol, edema (swelling), and blood clots in a kidney blood vessel (rarely).

How to Prevent Glomerulonephritis?

There are some glomerulonephritis types that cannot be prevented. However, the following tips may help. For example:

• If you experience a strep infection with a sore throat or impetigo, you should get medical treatment immediately.
• It is advised to follow safe-sex guidelines and avoid intravenous drugs to prevent HIV infection, which may cause glomerulonephritis.
• Regularly check your blood pressure
• Manage your blood sugar levels to prevent diabetic nephropathy.

Diagnosis

Sometimes, doctors may identify glomerulonephritis during routine testing. Check below some tests often involved in diagnosing this condition:

• Urine and blood tests – These tests help doctors check your kidney function and other abnormalities (such as blood in the urine, proteins in the urine, and others) and the level of toxins and waste in the bloodstream. If blood test results show antibodies it may indicate autoimmune disorders, bacterial or viral infections, or diabetes due to high blood sugar levels.
• Imaging tests – These include X-ray, ultrasound, or CT (computerized tomography). These tests are used to get detailed images of the kidneys.
• Kidney biopsy – During this procedure, doctors use a special needle to get a small sample of the kidney and check it under a microscope.

Treatment

Glomerulonephritis treatment and your results depend on the condition type, severity, underlying cause, and symptoms you experience.

Sometimes, acute glomerulonephritis goes away on its own even without treatment, especially those that follow an infection with streptococcal bacteria. If there is an underlying condition (such as an autoimmune condition, diabetes, or others), treatment will be directed to the cause. The treatment goal is to protect your kidneys from further damage and preserve kidney function.

Therapies

Kidney failure means that 85% or more of kidney function is lost. In such cases, people require dialysis immediately. A special device that works like an artificial kidney that filters the blood is called dialysis.

In people with end-stage kidney disease, the only way to treat them is a kidney transplant or regular kidney dialysis.

Home Remedies

Check below some doctor’s recommendations usually given to people with kidney disease. For example:

• Eat less protein and potassium, which will help slow the buildup of wastes in the blood.
• Try to get and maintain a healthy weight.
• Administer medicines exactly as prescribed by your healthcare professional.
• Manage your blood sugar levels
• Quit smoking or never start
• Reduce your salt intake because it may help prevent hypertension and swelling and lessen fluid retention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best antibiotics for glomerulonephritis?

Healthcare professionals commonly prescribe Penicillin or Erythromycin for 10 days to ensure you get rid of the streptococcus.

What causes protein in the urine?

There are different factors that may cause a temporary increase in urine protein levels. For example stress, dietary changes, dehydration, strenuous exercise, pregnancy, and other health problems.

What are the potential complications of glomerulonephritis?

People with this condition may also experience some complications. For example:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Kidney failure
• High cholesterol
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Damage to other organs
• Blood clots (such as deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary embolism)

In case you think you experience glomerulonephritis complications, immediately visit a doctor. If you have any other questions, ask your physician.