The kidneys are one of the most amazing organs in our body. They are like a super cleaning system inside our body. They filter out the unwanted waste products in our blood, remove excess water, and excrete them as urine. However, sometimes these precious kidneys also get sick. Today we are going to talk about a disease that many people have not heard of, but can silently harm the body. That is Glomerulonephritis.
Simply put, what is Glomerulonephritis (GN)?
This is a long, strange name, but it's very simple to understand. Glomerulonephritis is a condition that affects the kidneys. Inside our kidneys, there are millions of tiny, delicate filters that filter blood. We call these glomeruli. Think of them as little holes in a tea strainer. In a disease called glomerulonephritis, these tiny filters become damaged and swell.
When these filters are damaged, they can't work properly. That means they can't properly filter out waste and unnecessary fluids from the body. If this condition becomes a little more serious, it can even lead to kidney failure . But the good news is that in most cases, the early stages of this disease can be completely cured with treatment.
So what actually happens in these Glomeruli (filters)?
Each of our kidneys has about a million of these tiny filtering units called glomeruli. These are made up of very fine blood vessels (capillaries) that are bundled together. Their main job is to filter out the waste and excess water in our blood. This is the first and most important step in the process of urine formation. So imagine, if something were to happen to this filtering system, the cleansing process of our entire body would be disrupted, right?
Are there main types of this disease?
Yes, this disease can be divided into two main types depending on how it occurs.
1. Acute Glomerulonephritis: This starts suddenly.
2. Chronic Glomerulonephritis: This is a very serious condition that develops slowly. It can last for years.
Some people may have a sudden (acute) condition, which may then become chronic years after it has healed.
What are the symptoms of Glomerulonephritis?
The most dangerous thing about this disease is that many people do not show any symptoms at first. This means that they may not even know they have this disease. However, if symptoms do appear, they may be as shown in the table below.
| Symptom | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Blood in the urine | Urine may appear dark brown (like tea water), pink, or red. |
| Swelling of the face and legs | When I wake up in the morning, my eyes and face look swollen. During the day, my legs and ankles swell. |
| Foamy urine | If you urinate with a lot of bubbles and soapy foam, it may be because protein is being excreted with the urine. |
| High Blood Pressure | When kidney function is impaired, blood pressure can increase. |
| Change in frequency of urination | You may pass less or more urine than usual. |
| Other features | Nausea, skin rash, difficulty breathing, joint or stomach pain, loss of appetite, and weight loss. |
The most important thing is to see your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms. Although these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, it is important to find the exact cause.
Why does this kind of disease occur? What are the causes?
It is often difficult to find a specific cause for this, but it has been found that it can be caused by certain medical conditions and infections.
| Possible reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Infections | Strep throat can occur as a complication of infections such as HIV, hepatitis C, and bacterial endocarditis. |
| Immune system problems | Our body's own immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the kidneys. For example, lupus. |
| IgA Nephropathy | A disease caused by the deposition of an antibody called Immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the kidneys. |
| Blood vessel diseases | Some rare diseases (e.g. granulomatosis with polyangiitis) can cause swelling of blood vessels, which can damage the kidneys. |
| Other reasons | It can also be caused by certain types of cancer (e.g. multiple myeloma) and, very rarely, by genetic causes that are passed down through generations. |
What are the possible complications of glomerulonephritis?
If this disease is not treated properly, it can cause ongoing damage to the kidneys and lead to serious complications.
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Gradual decline in kidney function.
- High blood pressure (Hypertension):Because the kidneys help control blood pressure, when they are damaged, the pressure increases.
- Kidney Failure: This can happen quickly or over many years. In this case, the kidneys stop working almost completely.
- Nephrotic Syndrome: A condition caused by excessive protein excretion in the urine, leading to swelling and elevated cholesterol levels.
- Blood clots: The risk of blood clots forming in the veins of the legs (Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT) or in the lungs (Pulmonary Embolism - PE) increases.
How does a doctor accurately diagnose this disease?
Most of the time, this disease is discovered incidentally. That is, when testing for another disease. If your doctor suspects this disease based on your symptoms, he may refer you to a kidney specialist. The following tests are performed to confirm the diagnosis.
| Test | What do you see in this? |
|---|---|
| Urine Test | The urine is checked for blood (red blood cells) or protein. |
| Blood Test | The blood test measures the level of creatinine, a waste product that is excreted by the kidneys. If this level is high, it means that the kidneys are not working properly. |
| Kidney Biopsy | Using a needle, a very small piece of tissue is taken from the kidney and examined under a microscope. This is the best way to determine the exact cause of the disease. |
| Imaging Tests | Ultrasound, X-ray, or CT scan tests check the size, shape, and presence of any obstructions in the kidneys. |
What are the treatments for this?
Treatment depends on the cause of the disease and the extent of damage to the kidneys. The main goal of treatment is to prevent further damage to the kidneys and preserve their function.
- Treating the underlying cause: For example, if the condition is caused by high blood pressure, medication will be given to control the pressure. If it is caused by an infection, antibiotics will be given.
- Dietary changes: Your doctor may advise you to limit foods high in salt and protein, which put extra strain on your kidneys.
- Immunosuppressants: If the disease is caused by a problem with the immune system, these medications are given to control the functioning of that system.
- Corticosteroids: These help reduce inflammation in the kidneys.
- Dialysis: This is the process of cleaning the blood with the help of a machine if the kidneys are too weak to do their job.
- Diuretics: These are given to remove excess fluid from the body and reduce swelling.
- Plasmapheresis: This is a special procedure that filters out harmful proteins from the blood.
Can glomerulonephritis be prevented?
In fact, there is no proven way to prevent this disease. However, following a healthy lifestyle and adopting certain habits can reduce the risk.
- Eat a balanced diet. Reduce artificial ingredients and processed foods as much as possible.
- If you have high blood pressure , control it well with a low-salt diet, exercise, and taking the medication your doctor prescribes exactly.
- If you have diabetes , control it well.
- Prevent infections. Practice good hygiene. If you develop a sore throat (like strep throat), don't ignore it and see a doctor right away for treatment.
- Avoid continuing to use medications such as painkillers without consulting a doctor.
If you have been diagnosed with Glomerulonephritis, it is essential to have your kidneys checked regularly, take your medication as directed by your doctor, and control your diet.
Take-Home Message
- Glomerulonephritis (GN) is a disease that causes damage to the delicate filters in the kidneys. It often causes silent damage to the body.
- Be aware of symptoms such as dark urine, swelling of the face or legs, and foamy urine. But remember, many people do not experience any symptoms.
- Treating throat infections (like strep throat) quickly can help prevent kidney damage later.
- If someone in your family has kidney disease, if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, it is very important to have regular medical checkups.
- If you are diagnosed with the disease, strictly follow the diet and medication instructions given by your doctor to protect your kidneys.
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