A renal disorder characterized by damage in the glomeruli. It may be acute or chronic, focal or diffuse, and it may lead to renal failure. Causes include autoimmune disorders, infections, diabetes, and malignancies.
Symptoms of Glomerulonephritis
The following features are indicative of Glomerulonephritis:
blood in the urine
foamy urine
swelling of the face, eyes, ankles, feet, legs, or abdomen
abdominal pain
blood in the vomit or stools
cough
shortness of breath
diarrhoea
excessive urination
fever
fatigue
loss of appetite
muscle aches
nosebleed
It is possible that Glomerulonephritis shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
Get TabletWise Pro
Thousands of Classes to Help You Become a Better You.
Common Causes of Glomerulonephritis
The following are the most common causes of Glomerulonephritis:
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
hepatitis B
hepatitis C
post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis
bacterial endocarditis
Vasculitis disease
change in immune system
Risk Factors for Glomerulonephritis
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Glomerulonephritis:
bacterial infections
viral infections
parasitic pathogens infections
blood or lymphatic system disorders
Prevention of Glomerulonephritis
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Glomerulonephritis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
avoiding or limiting exposure to organic solvents, mercury, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
control high blood pressure
control blood sugar
Occurrence of Glomerulonephritis
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Glomerulonephritis cases seen each year worldwide:
Common between 1 - 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Glomerulonephritis can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Glomerulonephritis can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Glomerulonephritis
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Glomerulonephritis:
Blood tests: To look the levels of creatinine and urea in the blood
Urine tests: To analyze the abnormalities
Imaging tests: To assess the kidneys' structure and size
Kidney biopsy: To determine the cause of the inflammation
CT scan: To detect kidney abnormalities
Doctor for Diagnosis of Glomerulonephritis
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Glomerulonephritis:
Nephrologist
Endocrinologist
Complications of Glomerulonephritis if untreated
Yes, Glomerulonephritis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Glomerulonephritis is left untreated:
acute kidney failure
chronic kidney disease
high blood pressure
nephrotic syndrome
Procedures for Treatment of Glomerulonephritis
The following procedures are used to treat Glomerulonephritis:
Dialysis: Help remove excess fluid and control high blood pressure
Self-care for Glomerulonephritis
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Glomerulonephritis:
Restrict salt intake: Prevent or minimize fluid retention, swelling and hypertension
Consume less protein and potassium: Slow the buildup of wastes in the blood
Quit smoking: Reduce kidney symptoms
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Glomerulonephritis
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Glomerulonephritis:
Acupuncture: Improves the kidney function
Massage: Rehabilitation strategies improves the well-being of kidneys
Meditation: Improves the functioning of kidneys
Patient Support for Treatment of Glomerulonephritis
The following actions may help Glomerulonephritis patients:
Join support groups: Help reduce the stress of illness