Glomerulonephritis

Symptoms of glomerulonephritis are usually progressive (worsen over time). They result from the kidneys’ inability to filter the blood and an increased leakiness of the glomeruli, which allows waste to build up in the bloodstream and blood and protein to pass into the urine. Sometimes, glomerulonephritis may be symptomless. In other cases, symptoms of glomerulonephritis can be severe and progress very quickly.

You may experience glomerulonephritis symptoms daily or only occasionally. Any of these symptoms can be severe:

• Bloody or pink colored urine (hematuria)
• Dark colored urine
• Edema (swelling) of the legs, abdomen and body
• Foamy urine
• General ill feeling
• Headache
• Loss of appetite

As glomerulonephritis worsens, symptoms may worsen and more symptoms may become apparent including:

• Abdominal pain
• Body aches
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Frequent urination
• Shortness of breath

In some cases, glomerulonephritis can be life threatening. See k immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

• Bloody stool (blood may be red, black, or tarry in texture)
• Difficulty breathing
• Uncontrollable nosebleeds
• Vomiting blood

Glomerulonephritis is caused by inflammation of the glomeruli, the filtering structures within the kidney. Inflammation can arise from a variety of conditions, often autoimmune and genetic in origin. Exposure to certain chemicals and infections can also lead to glomerulonephritis. Sometimes, the precise cause of glomerulonephritis is not known.

Certain genetic conditions, inflammatory conditions, and autoimmune disorders can cause glomerulonephritis including:

• Amyloidosis (rare immune-related disorder characterized by protein buildup in organs and tissues that can cause serious complications)

• Antiglomerular basement membrane antibody disease

• Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (type of scarring of the glomeruli)

• Goodpasture’s syndrome (rare disease leading to kidney failure and lung disease)

• Henoch-Schonlein purpura (uncommon cause of blood vessel inflammation)

• Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (kidney damage associated with an abnormal antibody)

• Lupus nephritis (complication of systemic lupus erythematosus)

• Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (changes in the structure of the glomeruli)

• Polyarteritis (inflammation of arteries)

• Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (complication of strep throat or skin bacterial infection)

• Vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels)

Glomerulonephritis can arise from a variety of other causes including:

• Cancer

• Certain toxins such as hydrocarbon solvents

• Diabetes (chronic disease that affects your body’s ability to use sugar for energy)

• Infections

• Other causes not known

A number of factors increase the risk of developing glomerulonephritis. Not all people with risk factors will get the disease. Risk factors include:

• Family history of autoimmune disorders

• Family history of diabetes

• Personal medical history of cancer

• Recent infection

• Regular exposure to chemicals such as hydrocarbon solvents

Early glomerulonephritis may not require treatment. In some cases, it spontaneously resolves. For symptomatic glomerulonephritis, treatment depends on the cause of the glomerulonephritis. One of the primary goals of glomerulonephritis treatment is controlling blood pressure to avoid further damage to the kidneys.

Prescription medications may be used to control or treat the cause of glomerulonephritis including:

• Blood pressure medications, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, which lower blood pressure

• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone or methylprednisone, which control inflammation

• Immunosuppressant drugs, which prevent the immune system from attacking the glomeruli

Other approaches to treating glomerulonephritis are aimed at reducing inflammation of the kidneys and preventing the buildup of waste in the blood. These treatments include:

• Dialysis to remove waste from the blood

• Dietary modification to reduce salt, fluid, protein, or other substances in the blood

• Kidney transplant

• Plasmapheresis to remove antibodies against glomeruli from the blood

• Support groups to help you better deal with the stress of living with glomerulonephritis

In order to keep healthy and minimize the effects of glomerulonephritis, you may benefit from:

• Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption

• Avoiding smoking

• Controlling your blood pressure by practicing relaxation techniques

• Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet low in fats

• Exercising regularly

Some complementary treatments may help you better deal with glomerulonephritis and its treatments. Complementary treatments are not meant to substitute for traditional medical care. Be sure to notify your doctor if you are consuming nutritional supplements or homeopathic (nonprescription) remedies as they may interact with the prescribed medical therapy.

Complementary treatments may include:

• Acupuncture

• Massage therapy

• Nutritional dietary supplements, herbal remedies, tea beverages, and similar products

• Yoga

While glomerulonephritis may go away on its own or may be mild in some cases, it is usually a progressive disease that can worsen with time, leading to serious complications. Complications of untreated or poorly controlled glomerulonephritis can be serious, even life threatening in some cases. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Complications of glomerulonephritis include:

• Chronic hemodialysis

• End stage kidney disease

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Kidney failure