Glomerulonephritis is the condition when the filtering part of your kidneys becomes inflamed and damaged. The glomerulus is the filtering part of your kidneys, and when it becomes inflamed or scarred, the kidneys lose the ability to process and filter wastes and excess fluids from your body. It is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional if you suspect you may have any type of problems with your kidneys, as glomerulonephritis can progress to rapid loss of kidney function if left untreated.
The signs and symptoms of glomerulonephritis often appear later on after some damage may have been done. They can also look like the symptoms of other diseases, so it is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional. Signs and symptoms of glomerulonephritis include the following:
Glomerulonephritis can be caused by several different factors. Intake of toxins, certain medications, and viral infections such as Hepatitis B and C and HIV can damage the kidneys or parts of them. IgA nephropathy, lupus-related kidney infections, and bacterial infections such as staph or strep may also lead to kidney damage and glomerulonephritis. If you have any of the conditions mentioned or concerns with how your body is processing and getting rid of fluids, you should seek advice from a healthcare professional.
The condition of glomerulonephritis is diagnosed by lab work and imaging, as well as a physical exam by a healthcare professional. A urine sample and blood work can indicate how effectively the kidneys are working and filtering wastes. Imaging such as an ultrasound of the kidneys can show if there are abnormalities like shapes and sizes in blood vessels, organs, and tissues of the kidneys or surrounding areas.
A kidney biopsy, where tissue samples are removed from the kidneys and sent to a lab for testing, may be another effective way to diagnose glomerulonephritis.
Treatment of glomerulonephritis will be dependent on your healthcare provider’s recommendations. Factors that determine your treatment plan include your age, current health condition, health history, how you handle certain medications or procedures, and your preferences.
Unfortunately, once your kidneys have been damaged, the damage is usually not reversible. Treatment options will help manage and slow the disease progression, but glomerulonephritis is not curable. Many people will need to take medicines to help manage blood pressure, inflammation, and fluid balance in their bodies.
Blood pressure medications will help protect blood flow to the kidneys. Medications known as corticosteroids will help your body fight off inflammation that further damages the kidneys. Since the kidneys filter wastes and help manage fluid balance in your body, medications known as diuretics may be necessary. Diuretics are water pills that help your body remove excess fluids. A person’s diet is also important to help manage glomerulonephritis.
Your healthcare provider may recommend a low protein and low sodium (salt) diet to help your kidneys from having to work as hard to filter. If your kidneys are not functioning anymore, you will need to do dialysis, which is a machine that works like an artificial kidney and removes fluids and wastes. A kidney transplant may also be an option for you if your kidneys are failing.
If you have specific questions or concerns about a treatment plan for glomerulonephritis, you should seek advice from a healthcare provider, as treatment and management may vary depending on the progression of the disease.