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Nephritis |
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Nephritis is a medical condition, in which kidneys become inflamed. Nephritis is usually caused by an infections or when an immune system goes awry and damages the kidneys. Kidney problems, where inflammation damages only the glomeruli are known as glomerulopathies, which consist of 4 main types of glomerulopathies, such as Acute nephritic syndrome, which begins suddenly and subsides quickly; Rapidly progressive nephritic syndrome, which begins also suddenly, but becoming worse quickly; Nephrotic syndrome, which causes the loss a large levels of protein in the urine; and Nephritic syndrome, which begins gradually and becoming worse slowly. Glomerular nephritis is diagnosed by doing a biopsy of kidneys, in which a tiny kidney specimen is taken out and tested under a microscope to find the location and type of immune reaction within the kidney. Blood tests are also performed to see the extent of injury to kidney’s function. Glomerular nephritis is treated by removing the antigen, the antibody, or combination of two with procedure called plasmapheresis, which removes damaged substances from the blood. Another treatment of this type consists of azathioprine, cyclophamide, and corticosteroids. In some cases, an antibiotic is given to prevent or treat infections. Acute nephritis (acute glomerulo) is caused by sudden appearance of blood in the urine with clumps of casts (red blood cells) and some amounts of protein in the urine. In acute glomerulo nephritis, these clumps cover the membranes of the glomerule and affect their filtering functions. About 50% of individuals with Acute Glomerulo nephritis have no experienced symptoms. In cases, where symptoms occur, first symptoms may include fluid retention with edema (swelling of tissue), dark urine with blood, and low urine amount. Acute nephritis, following other than streptococci is easier to diagnose, because the symptoms frequently start, while the infection is still obvious. Most individuals with acute nephritis recover fully. Medications consist of antibiotics are started, if bacterial infection occurs in people with acute nephritis. When the condition is caused by the infected artificial body part, eradication is frequently needed to remove and replace artificial part in combination with antibiotics. Diet consisting of low protein and salt is needed. Diuretics can be prescribed to help the kidney excrete extra water and salt. People with severe nephritis may require dialysis. Rapidly Progressive nephritis occurs when most of the glomeruli are partly destroyed, causing severe kidney failure with blood, casts, and protein in the urine. In approx 60% of people with this type of nephritis, about 1/3 are caused by antibodies attacking the glomeruli, and about 1/2 of the causes are unknown; the rest are resulted from deposits of antigens or antibodies elsewhere in the individual’s body. The production of damaging antibodies can be connected to autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus, erythematosus or viral infection. The symptoms of rapidly progressive nephritis may include fever, fatigue, weakness, abdominal aches, joint ache, vomiting, nausea, or loss of appetite. Blood in urine is frequently visible, and clumps of red blood cells are usually may be seen under a microscope. When the cause is a systemic lupus, where the body produces antibodies against its own cells, the treatment usually help to easy situation. When the causes are unknown, the prognosis is worse. Rapidly progressive nephritis is usually treated by intravenous corticosteroids in large doses for about 1 week and after that by mouth. Such drugs as Azathioprine or Cyclophosphamide can be prescribed. The procedure such as plasmapheresis may be performed. Nephrotic syndrome may occur at any age and may be resulted from any kinds of glomerulopathies or a vast array of illnesses. Some drugs also may cause this type of nephritis. Some kinds of this type of nephritis are hereditary. Nephrotic syndrome is diagnosed by performing laboratory tests to detect high amounts of protein with casts (clumps of cells). A urine test shows the amount of sodium and potassium. Membranous nephritis is very serious medical condition, which causes nephrotic syndrome is contracted mostly by adults and slowly develops kidney failure in about 50% of those over 15 years of age. In most children who have membranous nephritis, protein in the urine disappears fully and spontaneously during 5 years following diagnosis. The treatment includes a diet containing normal levels of protein and potassium with low in sodium and saturated fat. The other major treatment consists of using corticosteroids and immune system suppressants. Causes of Chronic nephritis are unknown and show no symptoms for years. It progresses slowly, - the reason, the physician is not able to tell exactly when it started. It can be found during a regular medical check-ups of a patient who is feeling well and who has normal kidney work and has no symptoms, except the presence of protein and blood cells in the urine. In some cases, a patient can develop kidney failure, which leading to fatigue, vomiting nausea, breathing difficulties, high blood pressure. Using medications to lower blood pressure, cutting intake of sodium and protein may reduce kidney’s deterioration.
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| Category |
Disease Conditions > N
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| Related Searches |
lupus nephritis, interstitial nephritis, glomerular nephritis |
| Date Submitted |
16-Oct-2005
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