Glomerulonephritis

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Glomerulonephritis
Synonyms	Glomerular nephritis
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Hematuria, proteinuria, edema, hypertension
Complications	Chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease
Onset	Sudden or gradual
Duration	Variable
Types	N/A
Causes	Infection, autoimmune disease, vasculitis, diabetes mellitus
Risks	Family history, infections, autoimmune disorders
Diagnosis	Urinalysis, blood tests, kidney biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Nephrotic syndrome, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, dialysis, kidney transplant
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable, depending on cause and treatment
Frequency	Varies globally
Deaths	N/A

Diagram of the kidney

Filtration barrier of the glomerulus

Crescentic glomerulonephritis with PAS and IF stain

Ultrasonography of chronic renal disease caused by glomerulonephritis

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. This condition can develop suddenly (acute) or gradually (chronic).

Causes

Glomerulonephritis can be caused by infections such as streptococcal infection, viral infections, or diseases such as lupus, Goodpasture's syndrome, and Wegener's disease. It can also be inherited, as in Alport syndrome.

Symptoms

Symptoms of glomerulonephritis can include blood in the urine, foamy urine, and swelling in your face, hands, feet, and abdomen.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of glomerulonephritis can involve a series of tests including urine tests, blood tests, kidney ultrasound, and kidney biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment for glomerulonephritis depends on the cause of the illness. Treatment may include medications to control high blood pressure, reduce proteinuria, and treat kidney failure, and immunosuppressive drugs. In severe cases, dialysis or a kidney transplant may be necessary.

Prognosis

The outlook for glomerulonephritis depends on the cause and the individual, but the disease can often be controlled. Prevention is always the best medicine.

See also

• Kidney disease
• Kidney failure
• Dialysis
• Kidney transplant