Pathophysiology Dr. Aya M. Serry

Glomerulonephritis

2015

What’s Glomerulonephritis Glomerul/o/nephr/it is glomeruli kidney inflammation

Alternative names: acute/chronic nephritis, glomerular disease

Definition: Type of kidney disease in which the part of the kidneys that help filter waste and fluids from the blood is damaged (Inflammed)

Glomeruli remove excess fluid, electrolytes and waste from your bloodstream and pass them into your urine

If the illness continues, the kidneys may stop working completely, resulting in kidney failure

Glomerulus

• Glomerulus – The filters of the kidneys which filter the blood and make urine

Types of Glomerulonephritis

Acute glomerulonephritis - begins suddenly

Chronic glomerulonephritis -develops gradually over several years.

If glomerulonephritis occurs on its own, it's known as primary glomerulonephritis.

If another disease, such as lupus or diabetes, is the cause, it's called secondary glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis-- Causes Often, the precise cause of glomerulonephritis is unknown Glomerulonephritis may be caused by specific problems with the body's immune system

Causes of glomerulonephritis may include:•Streptococcal infection of the throat ( strep throat) or skin-- To fight the infection, your body produces extra antibodies that may eventually settle in the glomeruli, causing inflammation. 

•Immune diseases, such as lupus•diabetes•High blood pressure•Vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels)•Viruses ( HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus)

Glomerulonephritis-- Symptoms

Most common symptoms:Pink or cola-colored urine from red blood cells in

your urine (hematuria) Foamy urine due to excess protein (proteinuria)Swelling of the face, eyes, ankle, feet, legs, abdomenIncreased Blood Pressure due to decreased GFR. This will lead to increased Renin release

Glomerulonephritis-- Risk Factors

History of cancerBlood or lymphatic disordersDiabetesSome Infections

-Heart infections-Viruses

Glomerulonephritis-- Diagnosis

Because symptoms develop gradually, the disorder may be discovered when there is an abnormal urine analysis during a routine physical or examination for unrelated disorders

• Urine test• Blood tests• Imaging of the kidney• Kidney Biopsy

TREATMENTS

Glomerulonephritis-- TreatmentsTreatment varies depending on the type and severity of

symptoms

High blood pressure may be difficult to control, and it is generally the most important aspect of treatment

Dialysis and Transplant

Medicines that may be prescribed include: Blood pressure medications are often needed to control high

blood pressure

Medications that suppress the immune system may also be prescribed (as in case of lupus)

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