Management of Glomerulonephritis

Emobileclinic Trending Topic

Glomerulonephritis (GN) is a serious medical condition characterized with inflammation of the structures in the kidneys consisting of tiny blood vessels known as the glomeruli. Any disorder to the glomeruli may lead to kidney failure. Glomerulonephritis could be acute and chronic.

Causes

Acute GN occurs when there is an infection such as strep throat and the immune system overreact to it. Certain illnesses that trigger the condition are: amyloidosis, strep throat, lupus, wegener’s granulomatosis and polyarteritis nodosa.
Chronic GN on the other hand is a type that builds up over the years with possible fatal implication on the kidney. Health conditions that may trigger chronic GN are immune diseases, hereditary nephritis, cancer as well as exposure to some hydrocarbon solvents.

Symptoms

Acute GN symptoms include bloody urine, facial edema, high blood pressure and excessive fluid in the lungs. While the symptoms of chronic GN include: high blood pressure, excessive protein in the urine, nose bleeds, incessant night urination, ankles and facial edema, nausea and vomiting and sleep disorder.

Diagnosis

The first step to diagnosing this condition is through physical examination of the patient. Several diagnostic tests include:
Urinalysis
Electrolyte and creatinine test
Urine concentration
Urine red blood cells (RBCs)
Urine osmolality
Antiglomerular basement membrane antibodies
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies
Antinuclear antibodies
Biopsy
CT scan
Kidney ultrasound
Chest X-ray
Intravenous pyelogram

Treatments

Regulation of blood pressure in the body
Use of corticosteroids regulate immune system response
Increase calcium intake through calcium supplements
Reducing the amount of salt intake
Using of diuretics to reduce inflammation
Dialysis which involves using machine to filter the blood
Kidney transplant

Complications
Nephrotic syndrome
Sudden kidney failure
Prolong kidney disease
Severe urinary tract infections
Congestive heart failure
Pulmonary edema
High blood pressure
Malignant hypertension

Prevention
Have a healthy weight
Reduce if not avoiding salt in the diet
Limit protein in the diet
Limit potassium in the diet
Stop smoking.