The kidneys are one of the most important organs in our body. They are like two "filters" in our body. The main function of the kidneys is to filter and purify the waste products in the body and excrete them as urine . So it is very important to keep these kidneys healthy. Today we are going to talk about a disease that can silently affect the kidneys, but no one talks about it much. That is Interstitial Nephritis.
Simply put, what is Interstitial Nephritis?
Okay, this name sounds a bit complicated, but it's actually quite simple. I mentioned earlier that the kidneys are like a filter. This filter has a network of very fine, tiny tubes (tubules). In medicine, we call these ``tubules''. Interstitial Nephritis is when those tiny tubes and the tissue around them become inflamed. This inflammation prevents the kidneys from working properly.
This condition can sometimes be very mild and get better in a short time. But sometimes it can be a little more severe and last for a long time. Most of the time, it occurs as a side effect of another medical condition.
There are two main types of this disease.
Yes, Interstitial Nephritis can be divided into two main types. The nature of the two is slightly different.
| Characteristic | Acute Interstitial Nephritis | Chronic Tubulointerstitial Nephritis |
|---|---|---|
| The speed at which | This happens very quickly, within a few days. | This develops slowly, over time. |
| Urination | The amount of urine you pass may suddenly decrease or increase, especially at night. | Usually, urination is excessive. |
| Other features | If this condition is caused by a bacterial infection, fever, urinary tract infection, and back pain may occur. | Initially, symptoms are similar to those of kidney failure. Itching, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breathing may occur. |
What are the causes of Interstitial Nephritis?
There is not one single reason for this situation, but several factors can contribute to it. Let's look at the main reasons.
| Reason | Description and examples |
|---|---|
| Drugs | This is the most common cause . Some medications can affect the kidneys. Examples include aspirin, some antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, some medications for gastritis (Proton Pump Inhibitors), and some medications for cancer treatment (Immune checkpoint inhibitors). |
| Drug Reactions | Sometimes this disease can also occur as an allergic reaction to a medication you take. |
| Infections | Various infectious conditions can cause this. Examples: bacterial infections such as E. coli, viruses such as HIV or herpes, syphilis, parasites, and fungal infections. As well as infections that develop in the kidneys themselves, this can be a cause. |
| Immune Disorders | It can also be caused by certain diseases that affect the body's immune system. Examples include sarcoidosis, Sjogren's syndrome, and lupus. |
The most important thing is, don't stop taking a medication that your doctor has prescribed just because it's on this list. If you have any doubts, be sure to talk to your doctor .
What could be the symptoms of this disease?
The interesting thing here is that most people don't have any symptoms at all, or only very mild ones. However, some people may experience things like:
- Decreased urine output
- Increased frequency or amount of urination
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Skin rashes
- High blood pressure
- Restlessness or agitation
- Excessive sleepiness
- Memory and consciousness disturbances (Confusion)
- Swelling of the whole body or in some places
- Weight gain
If you have the chronic (long-term) type, you may also experience difficulty breathing . If you have one or more of these symptoms, especially if they occur after starting a new medication, it is best to seek medical advice.
How does a doctor accurately diagnose this disease?
To accurately confirm this disease, several laboratory tests must be performed.
- Kidney function tests: These are simple blood tests that can show how well your kidneys are working. They can also check for elevated levels of waste products in the blood, such as uric acid and phosphate.
- Kidney biopsy: This is the only way to confirm the disease 100% of the time. But this is not done for everyone. What is done here is to take a very small piece of tissue from the kidney using a very fine needle and examine it under a microscope. This test is done in special cases, such as to decide whether to give medications such as corticosteroids or not.
- Other tests: Your doctor may also order scans such as an ultrasound scan or radionuclide scanning. These scans can help look for swelling in the kidneys, especially if an allergic reaction to a medication is suspected.
What are the treatments for this?
Treatment options depend on what type of interstitial nephritis you have and how severe it is.
For Acute Interstitial Nephritis (sudden onset type):
The first and most important thing is to immediately stop taking the suspected medication . But this should only be done under the advice of your doctor . Never stop taking medication on your own.
If this is caused by a disease like lupus or an allergy to a medication, your doctor may prescribe medications like corticosteroids to reduce swelling.
If the condition becomes very severe and the kidneys begin to fail, you may have to undergo a blood purification process using a machine, called dialysis.
For Chronic Interstitial Nephritis (the long-term type):
Here too, if there is a medication that is causing the disease, it is important to stop it on medical advice. In addition, other medications may be prescribed to control your blood pressure and prevent further progression of the disease.
Unfortunately, if the kidneys are permanently damaged, you may need lifelong dialysis or a kidney transplant.
That's why we say that paying attention to any symptoms and seeking medical advice quickly can prevent major damage.
Take-Home Message
- Interstitial nephritis is an inflammation of the fine filtering ducts in the kidneys and the surrounding tissue, which can damage the kidneys.
- This is often caused by certain medications, infections, or conditions affecting the body's immune system.
- If you have symptoms like changes in urination, swelling, fever, or skin rashes, see a doctor immediately . Especially if these symptoms appear after starting a new medication, tell them about it.
- There is a treatment for this disease. Early detection and treatment can minimize damage to the kidneys.
- Never start or stop taking any medication without your doctor's advice.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න