What is Glomerulonephritis?
Glomerulonephritis is a group of diseases that causes injury to the kidneys that filters blood (called glomeruil). Other terms you may hear used are nephritis and nephritic syndrome. When the kidney is injured, it cannot get rid of wastes and extra fluid in the body. If the illness continues, the kidneys may stop working completely, resulting in kidney failure.
Are there different types of glomerulonephritis?
Yes. There are two types of glomerulonephritis- acute and chronic. The acute form develops suddenly. You may get it after an infection in your throat or on your skin. Sometimes, you may get better on your own. Other times, your kidneys may stop working unless the right treatment is started quickly. The early symptoms of the acute disease are:
Symptoms of kidney failure include:
This acute disease may be caused by infections such as strep throat. It may also be caused by other illnesses, including lupus, Goodpasture’s syndrome, Wegener’s disease, and polyarteritis nodosa. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent kidney failure.
What causes chronic glomerulonephritis?
Sometimes, the disease runs in the family. This kind often shows up in young men who may also have hearing loss and vision loss. Some forms are caused by changes in the immune system. However in many cases, the cause is not known.
What is the treatment is available for glomerulonephritis?
The acute form may go away by itself. Sometimes you may need medication or even temporary with an artificial kidney machine to remove extra fluid and control high blood pressure and kidney failure. Antibiotics are not used for acute glomerulonephritis, but they are important in treat other forms of disease related to bacterial infection. There is no specific treatment for the chronic form of the illness.
Glomerulonephritis is a group of diseases that causes injury to the kidneys that filters blood (called glomeruil). Other terms you may hear used are nephritis and nephritic syndrome. When the kidney is injured, it cannot get rid of wastes and extra fluid in the body. If the illness continues, the kidneys may stop working completely, resulting in kidney failure.
Are there different types of glomerulonephritis?
Yes. There are two types of glomerulonephritis- acute and chronic. The acute form develops suddenly. You may get it after an infection in your throat or on your skin. Sometimes, you may get better on your own. Other times, your kidneys may stop working unless the right treatment is started quickly. The early symptoms of the acute disease are:
- Puffiness of your face in the morning
- Blood in your urine
- Urinating less than usual
- Blood or protein in the urine
- High blood pressure
- Swelling of your ankles or face
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Very bubby or foamy urine
Symptoms of kidney failure include:
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tiredness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dry and itchy skin
- Nighttime muscle cramps
This acute disease may be caused by infections such as strep throat. It may also be caused by other illnesses, including lupus, Goodpasture’s syndrome, Wegener’s disease, and polyarteritis nodosa. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent kidney failure.
What causes chronic glomerulonephritis?
Sometimes, the disease runs in the family. This kind often shows up in young men who may also have hearing loss and vision loss. Some forms are caused by changes in the immune system. However in many cases, the cause is not known.
What is the treatment is available for glomerulonephritis?
The acute form may go away by itself. Sometimes you may need medication or even temporary with an artificial kidney machine to remove extra fluid and control high blood pressure and kidney failure. Antibiotics are not used for acute glomerulonephritis, but they are important in treat other forms of disease related to bacterial infection. There is no specific treatment for the chronic form of the illness.