Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease in which the part of your kidneys that helps filter waste and fluids from the blood is damaged.
Alternative NamesGlomerulonephritis - chronic; Chronic nephritis; Glomerular disease; Necrotizing glomerulonephritis; Glomerulonephritis - crescentic; Crescentic glomerulonephritis; Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsGlomerulonephritis may be caused by specific problems with the body's immune system. Often, the precise cause of glomerulonephritis is unknown.
Damage to the glomeruli causes blood and protein to be lost in the urine.
The condition may develop quickly, with loss of kidney function occurring over weeks and months (called rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis).
In about a quarter of people with chronic glomerulonephritis there is no history of kidney disease and the disorder first appears as chronic renal failure.
The following increase your risk of developing this condition:
Many conditions are known to cause or increase the risk for glomerulonephritis, including:
Common symptoms of glomerulonephritis are:
Symptoms that may also appear include the following:
Chronic renal failure symptoms may gradually develop.
Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:
Because symptoms develop gradually, the disorder may be discovered when there is an abnormal urinalysis during a routine physical or examination for unrelated disorders.
Glomerulonephritis can cause high blood pressure. It may only be discovered as a cause of high blood pressure that is difficult to control.
Laboratory tests may reveal anemia or show signs of reduced kidney functioning. A kidney biopsy confirms the diagnosis.
Later, signs of chronic kidney failure may be seen, including swelling (edema), polyneuropathy, and signs of fluid overload, including abnormal heart and lung sounds.
Imaging tests that may be done include:
Urinalysis and other urine tests include:
This disease may also affect the results of the following blood tests:
Treatment varies depending on the cause of the disorder, and the type and severity of symptoms. High blood pressure may be difficult to control, and it is generally the most important aspect of treatment.
Medicines that may be prescribed include:
A procedure called plasmapheresis may be used for some cases of glomerulonephritis due to immune-related causes. The fluid part of the blood containing antibodies is removed and replaced with intravenous fluids or donated plasma (without antibodies). Removing antibodies may reduce inflammation in the kidney tissues.
Dietary restrictions on salt, fluids, protein, and other substances may be recommended.
Persons with this condition should be closely watched for signs that they are developing kidney failure. Dialysis or a kidney transplant may eventually be necessary.
Support GroupsYou can often ease the stress of illness by joining support groups where members share common experiences and problems.
See: Kidney disease - support group
Expectations (prognosis)Glomerulonephritis may be a temporary and reversible condition, or it may get worse. Progressive glomerulonephritis may lead to chronic kidney failure and end-stage kidney disease.
If you have nephrotic syndrome and it can be controlled, other symptoms may also be controlled. If it can't be controlled, end-stage kidney disease may result.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if:
There is no specific way to prevent most cases of glomerulonephritis. Some cases may be prevented by avoiding or limiting exposure to organic solvents, mercury, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
ReferencesNachman PH, Jennette JC, Falk RJ. Primary glomerular disease. In: Brenner BM, ed. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 30.
Haymart MR, Atta MG. Glomerular disease. In: Nilsson KR Jr., Piccini JP. The Osler Medical Handbook. 2nd ed. Philadelphia PA: Saunders Elsevier;2006:chap 65.
Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease in which the part of your kidneys that helps filter waste and fluids from the blood is damaged.
Alternative NamesGlomerulonephritis - chronic; Chronic nephritis; Glomerular disease; Necrotizing glomerulonephritis; Glomerulonephritis - crescentic; Crescentic glomerulonephritis; Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsGlomerulonephritis may be caused by problems with the body's immune system. Often, the exact cause of glomerulonephritis is unknown.
Damage to the glomeruli causes blood and protein to be lost in the urine.
The condition may develop quickly and kidney function is lost within weeks or months (called rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis).
A quarter of people with chronic glomerulonephritis have no history of kidney disease.
The following may increase your risk of this condition:
Many conditions cause or increase the risk for glomerulonephritis, including:
Common symptoms of glomerulonephritis are:
Symptoms may also include the following:
The symptoms of chronic kidney disease may develop over time.
Chronic renal failure symptoms may gradually develop.
Signs and testsBecause symptoms may develop slowly, the disorder may be discovered when you have an abnormal urinalysis during a routine physical or examination for another condition.
Signs of glomerulonephritis can include:
A kidney biopsyconfirms the diagnosis.
Later, signs of chronic kidney disease may be seen, including:
Imaging tests that may be done include:
Urinalysis and other urine tests include:
This disease may also cause abnormal results on the following blood tests:
Treatment depends on the cause of the disorder, and the type and severity of symptoms. High blood pressure may be hard to control. Controlling high blood pressure is usually the most important part of treatment.
Medicines that may be prescribed include:
A procedure called plasmapheresis may sometimes be used for glomerulonephritis caused by immune problems. The fluid part of the blood that contains antibodies is removed and replaced with intravenous fluids or donated plasma (that does not contain antibodies). Removing antibodies may reduce inflammation in the kidney tissues.
You may need to limit salt, fluids, protein, and other substances.
Persons with this condition should be closely watched for signs of kidney failure. Dialysis or a kidney transplant may eventually be needed.
Support GroupsYou can often ease the stress of illness by joining support groups where members share common experiences and problems.
See: Kidney disease - support group
Expectations (prognosis)Glomerulonephritis may be temporary and reversible, or it may get worse. Progressive glomerulonephritis may lead to:
If you have nephrotic syndrome and it can be controlled, you may also be able to control other symptoms. If it cannot be controlled, you may develop end-stage kidney disease.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if:
There is no way to prevent most cases of glomerulonephritis. Some cases may be prevented by avoiding or limiting exposure to organic solvents, mercury, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
ReferencesAppel GB. Glomerular disorders and nephrotic syndromes. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 122.
Nachman PH, Jennette JC, Falk RJ. Primary glomerular disease. In: Brenner BM, ed. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 30.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/20/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Herbert Y. Lin, MD, PhD, Nephrologist, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
See the links.
Possibly
YES
glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the glomeruli in the kidneys however, pyelonephritis is inflammation of the kidney(s). They are both due to infection.
glomerulonephritis
glomerulonephritis
Bacteria
Certain types of glomerulonephritis are treatable, and may only cause a temporary disruption of kidney functioning
bagel
Glomerulonephritis
rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
lysis from complement