Glomerulonephritis – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Glomerulonephritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the kidneys’ tiny filters called glomeruli. These filters normally remove excess fluid and waste from blood, which then leaves the body as urine.
The condition can develop quickly (acute form) or slowly over time (chronic form).
This kidney disorder can arise independently or appear as a complication of other health conditions like lupus or diabetes. When inflammation persists or becomes severe, it can lead to kidney damage.
Treatment approaches vary based on the specific type of glomerulonephritis diagnosed. Managing this condition properly is essential for preserving kidney function and preventing complications.
Signs and Symptoms
Glomerulonephritis can show different symptoms based on whether you have the acute or chronic form. Some people with chronic glomerulonephritis may not notice any symptoms at all. Sometimes, the first sign comes from a routine urine test.
Common symptoms include:
- Pink or cola-colored urine due to blood in your urine
- Foamy or bubbly urine caused by excess protein
- High blood pressure
- Swelling in your face, hands, feet, and abdomen from fluid retention
- Decreased urination
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Feeling tired or fatigued
Medical Attention
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider right away. Early diagnosis can help prevent complications and improve treatment outcomes.
Don’t ignore symptoms like unusual urine color or swelling, as they could indicate a serious kidney problem that needs prompt medical attention.
What Causes Kidney Inflammation?
Infection-Related Causes
Certain infections can trigger inflammation in the kidney’s filtering units. After a strep throat or skin infection, children may develop kidney inflammation within a couple of weeks.
This happens when antibodies fighting the bacteria collect in the kidney filters. Kids usually recover better than adults from this type of kidney inflammation.
Heart valve infections can also lead to kidney problems. When bacteria infect the inner lining of the heart, kidney inflammation may follow, though scientists aren’t entirely sure if this is purely due to immune system reactions or other factors.
Viral infections directly affecting the kidneys, like hepatitis B and C, can damage the kidney filters. HIV infection may harm the kidneys even before AIDS symptoms appear.
Immune System Disorders
When the body’s defense system attacks its own tissues, kidney inflammation can result. Lupus is one such condition that can affect many body parts including the kidneys, skin, and joints.
In the rare condition called Goodpasture’s syndrome, the immune system creates antibodies that attack both lung and kidney tissues, potentially causing permanent kidney damage.
IgA nephropathy occurs when an antibody that normally fights infections builds up in the kidney filters. This condition may go unnoticed for years, with blood in the urine often being the main sign.
Blood Vessel Inflammation
Inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis) can affect kidney function in several ways:
- Polyarteritis – Affects medium and small blood vessels throughout the body, including the kidneys.
- Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis – Targets small and medium blood vessels in the lungs, airways, and kidneys.
Scarring Conditions
Some conditions cause scarring of the kidney filters, which reduce kidney function:
| Condition | How it affects kidneys |
|---|---|
| High blood pressure | Causes scarring and inflammation of kidney filters |
| Diabetic kidney disease | High blood sugar leads to scarring and increases blood flow through kidney units |
| Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis | Creates scattered scarring among some kidney filters |
Additional Causes
Some forms of kidney inflammation run in families. Alport syndrome, an inherited condition, can affect not only the kidneys but also hearing and vision.
Certain cancers have connections to kidney inflammation, including:
- Stomach cancer
- Lung cancer
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Some cases of kidney inflammation happen for unknown reasons, with no clear trigger found despite medical investigation.
Risk Factors
Several issues can increase your chance of kidney inflammation. Autoimmune diseases top this list, as they cause your immune system to attack healthy tissues, including kidney filters.
Other risk factors include:
- Infections: Bacterial or viral infections may trigger inflammation.
- Family History: Genetic factors play a role in some cases.
- Medications: Certain drugs might damage kidney tissue.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar can harm kidney function over time.
- High Blood Pressure: Damages blood vessels in the kidneys.
Complications
Glomerulonephritis disrupts the kidney’s filtering system, leading to several potential complications. When nephrons become damaged, they cannot effectively clean the blood.
This filtering breakdown causes:
- Buildup of waste products in the bloodstream
- Improper balance of minerals and nutrients
- Red blood cell leakage into urine
- Loss of important blood proteins
Acute Kidney Failure
This sudden drop in kidney function often follows infections that trigger glomerulonephritis. Waste and fluid accumulation can become dangerous if not addressed quickly.
Dialysis may be needed temporarily. Many patients regain normal kidney function after recovery.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Ongoing inflammation causes lasting kidney damage and a decline in function. When kidney problems persist for three months or longer, doctors diagnose chronic kidney disease.
Without proper treatment, this condition may progress to end-stage kidney disease, requiring either regular dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Blood Pressure Problems
Inflamed or scarred glomeruli often lead to high blood pressure. This creates a harmful cycle, as elevated blood pressure can further damage the kidneys.
Nephrotic Syndrome
This condition occurs when too much protein leaves the blood and enters the urine. Normal protein levels help control fluid balance and cholesterol. When blood protein drops, patients may experience:
| Symptoms of Nephrotic Syndrome |
|---|
| High cholesterol levels |
| Increased blood pressure |
| Swelling in face, hands, feet |
| Abdominal fluid buildup |
In rare cases, nephrotic syndrome may cause blood clots to form in kidney blood vessels.
Prevention
While some forms of glomerulonephritis cannot be prevented, several steps may reduce your risk:
- Treat strep infections quickly. If you have a sore throat or impetigo, make sure to do this.
- Practice safe sex and avoid intravenous drug use to prevent infections like HIV and hepatitis.
- Manage high blood pressure to protect your kidneys from hypertension damage.
- Control blood sugar levels to help prevent diabetic nephropathy.
These preventive measures can be important for kidney health. Also, keeping regular check-ups with your doctor helps catch potential problems early.
