Pronounced: glom-air-u-lo-nuh-FRI-tis
Glomerulonephritis is a kidney condition that involves damage to the glomeruli. Glomeruli are the tiny structures within the kidney that filter blood.
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located in the back just below the rib cage. Each kidney is about the size of a fist. The two kidneys filter blood, catch needed substances and return them to the circulation, and dispose of wastes in the urine. If the kidneys don’t filter properly, wastes build up in the blood.
There are two types of glomerulonephritis:
In some cases, glomerulonephritis leads to kidney failure. Kidney failure is a severe kidney disease that must be treated with dialysis or kidney transplant .
Causes of glomerulonephritis include:
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Risk factors for glomerulonephritis include:
Glomerulonephritis sometimes causes no symptoms and is discovered during a routine urine test. When present, the symptoms of acute and chronic glomerulonephritis differ from one another.
The symptoms of acute glomerulonephritis may include:
Chronic glomerulonephritis can lead to kidney failure, which may cause these symptoms:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in kidney disease for further diagnostic testing and treatment (nephrologist).
Tests may include:
Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of glomerulonephritis. For example, control of blood pressure and blood sugar with medications would be important in the treatment glomerulonephritis related to hypertension and diabetes. In addition, the following steps may be taken to aid kidney function or reduce further damage:
If the kidneys are unable to remove sufficient waste from the blood, dialysis may be required. Temporary dialysis may be sufficient for acute glomerulonephritis. If it leads to permanent kidney failure, chronic glomerulonephritis will require long-term dialysis or kidney transplant .
The following steps may decrease your risk of glomerulonephritis:
RESOURCES:
National Kidney Foundation
http://www.kidney.org
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
BC Health Guide
http://www.bchealthguide.org
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
http://www.kidney.ab.ca
References:
A to Z health guide: glomerulonephritis. National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: http://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozPrint.cfm?id=65 . Accessed August 10, 2005.
Glomerulonephritis. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00503 . Accessed August 12, 2005.
Kumar V, Abbas AK, Fausto N, eds. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2005.
Last reviewed September 2009 by Igor Puzanov, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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