Glomerulonephritis - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Glomerulonephritis Definition

Glomerulonephritis is a form of nephritis.Glomerulonephritis may be characterized by inflammation of the renal glomeruli. Glomerulonephritis is a primary or secondary autoimmune renal diseases. There are many recognised types, divided in acute, subacute or chronic glomerulonephritis. Glomerulonephritis is also called acute glomerulonephritis,acute poststreptococcal and acute nephrotic syndrome.

Glomerulonephritis is most common in boys ages in between 6 to 10, but may be occured at any age. Up to 95% of children and up to 70% of adults with glomerulonephritisrecover fully; the remainder of patients may progress to chronic renal failure within months.

Glomerulonephritis Causes

Glomerulonephritis Causes are infectious (bacterial, viral or parasitic pathogens), autoimmune or paraneoplastic. Glomerulonephritis may be results from the entrapment and collection of antigen-antibody complexes in the glomerular capillary membranes, inducing inflammatory damage and impeding glomerular function. Glomerulonephritis may be characterized histologically by diffuse thickening of glomerular capillary basement membranes. The disease may be caused by specific problems with the body's immune system.

The causes of the disease is idiopathic (unknown). Glomerulonephritis may be a temporary and reversible condition, or it may be progressive. Progressive glomerulonephritis may result in destruction of the kidney glomeruli and chronic renal failure and end stage renal disease. Glomerulonephritis may be developed after survival of the acute phase of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.

Glomerulonephritis Symptoms

Glomerulonephritis may be begins in between 1 to 3 weeks after untreated pharyngitis. Symptoms are mild to moderate edema, oliguria, proteinuna, azotemia, and hematuria.

The other symptoms of the glomerulonephritis may be included:

• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Malaise
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle twitching
• Muscle cramps
• Seizures
• Frequent hiccups
• Generalized itching
• Decreased urine output
• Need to urinate at night
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Decreased alertness

Glomerulonephritis Treatments

Treatment of secondary membranous nephropathy is guided by the treatment of the original disease.

Various antihypertensive medications may be used to attempt to control high blood pressure.

For treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy, the treatment options include immunosuppressive drugs and non-specific anti-proteinuric measures.

Corticosteroids, immunosuppressives, or other medications may be used to treat some of the causes of chronic glomerulonephritis .

Dialysis or kidney transplantation may be necessary to control symptoms of renal failure and to sustain life.