Glomerular Disease
When the glomeruli, which are the kidneys' filtering cells, are harmed, it results
into a condition called as glomerular disease. The kidney's cleaning systems are
called glomeruli, which are a microscopic network of blood arteries. Filtering
waste and removing surplus fluid from the blood is their primary job.
Glomerular disease is characterized by damaged glomeruli that are unable to
perform as they should. Numerous illnesses can lead to glomerular disease, but
diabetes-related nephropathy is the most common cause.
The two general terminologies used to describe a variety of glomerular damage.
- Glomerulonephritis, which refers to the inflammation of the glomeruli
- Glomerulosclerosis, which refers to the scarring or hardening of the glomeruli
Glomerular disease can have a serious impact on the kidneys and, in some circumstances, can result in renal failure.
Glomerular Disease Symptoms
The list of glomerular disease symptoms and signs is as follows:
- Urine that is foamy (proteinuria, the presence of protein in the urine).
- Urine that is pink or light brown indicates hematuria, or blood in the urine
- Swelling in your hands, feet, or ankles (particularly at the end of the day), or in your face or around your eyes (especially in the morning). We refer to this swelling as edema.
- Hypertension (High blood pressure)
If you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, contact Dr. Vijay Patel, the best kidney disease doctor in Mumbai.
Glomerular Disease Causes and Treatment
Glomerular disease can be caused by a wide variety of illnesses. To prevent further kidney damage, the treatment's primary goal is to address the underlying cause. The list of conditions that might result in glomerular diseases and the available treatments is provided below:
- Autoimmune Diseases: Autoimmune illnesses are brought on when the immune system of the body assaults cells of its own kind. Your entire body could be affected by certain disorders, or only certain organs or bodily parts. These autoimmune disorders affect the kidney:
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): affects the majority of the body's organs, and when it affects the kidney, it results in lupus nephritis, an inflammation of the glomeruli. Scarring caused by this inflammation prevents the kidney from functioning normally. Immunosuppressants, such as mycophenolate mofetil or cyclophosphamide in combination with the corticosteroid prednisolone, are administered as an anti-inflammatory treatment.
- Good pasture's syndrome: In this autoimmune condition, the kidneys and lungs are most frequently impacted. If the kidneys are damaged, it causes glomerulonephritis, wich is a swelling of the glomeruli and can permanently harm the kidneys if it is not adequately treated. Immunosuppressive medications, which lower immune system activity, and plasmapheresis, which removes antibodies that assault the body's own cells, are two treatments for this.
- IgA nephropathy: In this autoimmune disease, immunoglobulin A (IgA), a specific type of antibody, builds up as deposits in the glomeruli. These deposits are known to cause inflammation. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
- Alport Syndrome: Alport syndrome is a hereditary disorder that can cause hearing or visual loss as well as chronic glomerular disease. Both sexes are equally affected, however the disorder is more severe in men, who can be diagnosed as early as their 20s and frequently have total kidney failure by the age of 40. Blood pressure-lowering drugs are utilized as a treatment option for this.
- Glomerulosclerosis: This term describes a condition in which the glomeruli become scarred. Lupus and diabetes are two examples of conditions that cause glomerulosclerosis.
- Diabetic-Nephropathy: Nephropathy caused by diabetes is the main factor in glomerular disease and kidney failure. It causes the kidneys to scar and raises blood glucose levels. High blood glucose levels cause the blood flow into the kidney to increase, placing more strain on the glomeruli, the kidneys' filtering cells, and raising blood pressure. Exercise, a healthy diet, and blood pressure-lowering medications such angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers are some of the treatments. Apart from the few mentioned above, there are many other causes that cause glomerular disease.