This disease, also referred to as glomerular nephritis, damages the glomeruli in the kidneys, preventing the kidneys from effectively filtering waste products and extra fluid from your blood.
Glomerulonephritis disease is the most common type of kidney disease to cause end-stage kidney or renal disease in many countries.
If glomerulonephritis develops on its own it's referred to as primary glomerulonephritis.
However, if the condition is caused by another disease such as diabetes or systemic lupus erythematosus it is called secondary glomerulonephritis.
Risk Factors for Glomerulonephritis In many cases the cause of glomerulonephritis is unknown.
It may be the result of a problem with your immune system.
However, some diseases do put you more at risk for developing this disease.
They include: - Amyloidosis - Blood or lymphatic system disorders - Blood vessel disorders such as vasculitis - Cancer - Diabetes - Exposure to toxic chemicals such as hydrocarbon solvents - Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis - IgA nephropathy - Infections such as heart infections, viruses, or strep infections - Lupus nephritis Symptoms Glomerulonephritis can cause a wide range of symptoms, which change as the disease progresses.
Common symptoms include swelling (edema) in your face, feet or abdomen, blood in the urine, or foamy urine.
Other symptoms include a general malaise, abdominal or back pain, joint and muscle aches, shortness of breath, diarrhea and fever.
Glomerulonephritis can lead to several complications, including kidney failure, high blood pressure, nephrotic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases.
Diagnosing Glomerulonephritis Symptoms of this disease emerge slowly, so it may be difficult to spot it at first.
It's important to have annual checkups where you give a urine sample that may provide early indications of the disease.
Urinalysis can pick up on signs such as low red blood cells, white blood cells that reveal infection or inflammation, or extra protein, which is an early sign of kidney damage referred to as proteinurea or microalbuminurea.
Your doctor may also recommend other kidney disease tests such as a BUN or creatinine blood serum test.
If these preliminary tests show that your kidneys are damaged, you will need to have an imaging test such as ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) scan or a biopsy to determine how far the glomerulonephritis has progressed.
Treatments for Glomerulonephritis Kidney Disease For secondary glomerular nephritis, you must treat the underlying disease to reduce further damage to your kidneys.
Diabetes is one of the main causes of this kidney disease as high blood glucose damages the glomeruli.
This makes it vital to have an effective diabetes management plan.
This can include appropriate natural therapies such as dietary and lifestyle changes, and herbs and nutrients that help to manage blood glucose.
In cases where infections are to blame, glomerulonephritis may clear up on its own, once the infection has been resolved.
You should also check your blood pressure and take steps to reduce it if it's high.
There are several natural ways to reduce blood pressure including reducing sodium consumption, losing weight, eating more fruits and vegetables, and taking a supplement such as garlic, curcumin, or herbal supplements.
A natural diuretic such as green tea or dandelion leaf tea can also lower blood pressure.
Prescription medications for high blood pressure called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors also help to directly reduce damage to your kidneys.