Glomerulonephritis
What is it?
Glomerulonephritis is the name given to a group of diseases that affect the part of the kidneys that filters the blood. If the kidneys are damaged in this way, the body has difficulty getting rid of waste products and excess water, and if this continues, the kidneys may stop working completely. Glomerulonephritis has many different causes, including infection, certain medicines, and in rare cases, even cancer. In most cases, the cause is unknown.
The damage to the kidneys in glomerulonephritis is caused by a problem in the body's immune system. Usually the immune system protects the body against foreign bodies such as viruses and bacteria. In cases of glomerulonephritis, the immune system may be overactive and mistakenly attack the kidneys' filters (glomeruli), leading to inflammation.
What are the symptoms?
Often there are no symptoms of glomerulonephritis, especially if it is in its early stages. In these cases, it is only picked up during a routine medical examination, for example, through a urine or blood test.
If symptoms are present, because there are many different types of glomerulonephritis, any of the following might be present:
If you do experience any of the above symptoms, it is important that you go to your GP as soon as possible, to avoid further damage to the kidney.
How is it diagnosed?
Doctors will look for signs of glomerulonephritis if kidney disease is suspected, although infection is much more common. Blood and protein may be found in the urine. A blood test will confirm whether there are abnormal antibodies in the blood, suggesting glomerulonephritis. However, a blood test alone is not enough to diagnose the condition. To be sure of the diagnosis, a biopsy must be carried out. This is when a very tiny piece of the kidney is removed using a special needle, and then examined under a microscope. The biopsy helps the doctor to see what tissue damage has occurred, and what type of glomerulonephritis you have. Not everyone with suspected glomerulonephritis needs to have a biopsy.
How is it treated?
In mild cases, your glomerulonephritis may get better on its own. In most cases, treatment is based on controlling or lowering your blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage the kidney further, as well as affecting the circulation elsewhere in the body. Ways of controlling your blood pressure include losing weight, reducing the amount of salt in your diet and medicines. Medicines that encourage your body to get rid of excess fluid (called diuretics), and medicines that lower your cholesterol may also be used.
In rare cases, you may be required to go on dialysis (a machine that 'cleans' your blood for you) for a short period of time, until your kidney function has recovered. In cases where the kidney damage is severe, and the kidney continues being unable to perform its tasks in order for the body to remain healthy, regular dialysis or a kidney transplant may eventually be necessary.
Further information
Your local GP surgery is the best place for you to find information on glomerulonephritis, especially if you have specific concerns about your symptoms and treatment. Charities related to the kidney can also be useful sources of information and support.
Kidneywise www.kidneywise.com
UK National Kidney Foundation www.kidney.org.uk
