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Glomerulonephritis Management

 

Glomerulonephritis (GN) is a type of kidney disease that damages the filtering units inside your kidneys, known as glomeruli. Glomeruli are responsible for filtering waste and excess fluid from your blood. When these units become damaged, they can cause a buildup of waste and fluid in your body, as well as high blood pressure.

There are treatment options available that can help to slow the progression of the disease and improve symptoms. At Nephrology Consultants, P.A., these treatments may include medications, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, kidney transplants. With the proper treatment, patients with glomerulonephritis can often enjoy a good quality of life.

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Acute and Chronic Glomerulonephritis

 

Acute Glomerulonephritis: It occurs when there is a sudden, severe inflammation of the glomeruli, often after strep throat or other infections. Some types of acute glomerulonephritis can follow strep throat or other infections.

Chronic Glomerulonephritis: It refers to long-term inflammation of the glomeruli and may be caused by a number of different conditions, including diabetes, lupus, and infections such as hepatitis.

Causes of Glomerulonephritis

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The exact cause of the appearance of glomerulonephritis is unknown. However, some of the reasons why this may occur are:

  • Genetics (running in the family)
  • Presence of Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane (GBM) disease (a type of disease group that affects the kidneys and lungs)
  • As a side-effect of endocarditis (an infection in heart valves)
  • As a side-effect of viral infections like Hepatitis C, HIV, and strep throat
  • Immune system issues like lupus, where the immune system attacks parts of your own body
  • Presence of rare diseases like microscopic polyangiitis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, or Henoch-Schönlein Purpura

Symptoms of Glomerulonephritis

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Glomerulonephritis does not always come with visible signs or symptoms. But some of the following conditions may count as symptoms of glomerulonephritis, for which you need medical assistance.

  • Blood in the urine
  • Too much or too less urination
  • Foamy urine
  • Nausea, rash, or fatigue
  • Hypertension, or high blood pressure
  • Pain in the abdomen or the joints
  • Face or leg swelling

Our Process

 

Diagnosis

 

Our approach to diagnosing glomerulonephritis involves tests recommended by our doctors. These tests may include:

  • Urine test:
    • Urinalysis helps in revealing the presence of red or white blood cells in the urine
    • This test also reveals if there is a shortage in the expected level of waste products in the urine
  • Blood test:
    • Blood sample analysis reveals the presence of unwanted substances in the bloodstream, such as antibodies and high levels of unrequired waste products
  • Imaging test:
    • Our doctors may recommend image testing if they detect any evidence of kidney disease in your body. This testing reveals if there are irregularities in the size or shape of your kidneys
    • Image testing includes the likes of CT scans, ultrasound exams, and X-rays, which are done based on doctors' recommendations
  • Kidney Biopsy:
    • Our doctors use a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis and assess the nature and degree of kidney tissue damage
    • During the process, the doctors will extract tiny pieces of kidney tissue with the help of a special needle and examine the pieces under a microscope

Disclaimer: Lab tests are not done in our clinic, but you can consult our nephrologists for your lab reports.

 

Treatment

 

Our approach to treating glomerulonephritis is based on several factors, such as:

  • Whether the disease is in acute or in chronic form
  • If there is an underlying cause
  • The severity and type of your symptoms

Some cases of acute glomerulonephritis, especially the ones that follow streptococcal bacterial infections, can improve on their own and do not require treatment. However, if there is any underlying cause, such as an infection, autoimmune disease, or high blood pressure,  you may need treatment which is usually directed toward that particular cause.

 

Take steps to manage the progression of glomerulonephritis with Nephrology Consultants, P.A. We are present in various locations in Delaware.