katyzzzGlomerulonephritis and working
December 10th 2006 07:10
Glomerulonephritis and working :
Each kidney contains more than a million filtering units called nephrons, in which wastes are drawn from the blood to form urine. In each nephron is a network of capillaries (tiny blood vessels) called a glomerulus. Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli (the plural of glomerulus), which interferes with the normal operation of the kidney.
Causes :
Glomerulonephritis can be caused by an infection in the kidneys, but most often it is due to an allergic reaction or immune reaction in other parts of the body. Although many different kinds of infections can lead to glomerulonephritis, including pneumonia, bacterial infection of the heart, syphilis, malaria, hepatitis, and measles, the most common cause is infection of the throat, tonsils, or skin by certain types of Streptococcus bacteria. The body's immune response to the infection occurs as an inflammation of the capillaries in the glomeruli. The capillaries become congested and surrounded by blood cells and pus.
Symptoms :
When caused by infection, the symptoms of glomerulonephritis usually begin one to three weeks after the initial infection, such as strep throat. Otherwise, the actual onset is usually difficult to establish. The patient has headaches, a mild fever, a puffy face, pain in the area between the ribs and the hips, and decreased urine output. The urine may be bloody, smoky, or coffee-colored. Shortness of breath may occur, together with increased heartbeat and a rise in blood pressure. Detection of protein and red blood cells in the urine confirms the diagnosis.
Treatment :
Treatment includes antibiotics if streptoccoccal organisms are still present. Rest and symptomatic treatment are necessary for at least a week after tests of blood, blood pressure, and the urine indicate that the kidneys are back to normal.
Sodium and protein may be restricted or even forbidden for a time. Fluids are restricted until the output of urine returns to normal. Any infection is treated promptly with antibiotics. The overwhelming majority of patients with glomerulonephritis due to streptococcal infection recover fully.
Guarding against infection, injury, and fatigue can help prevent flare-ups of the disease. Intake of protein may have to be limited, depending on how well the kidneys are working. A return to normal activity is desirable, but strenuous exercise should be avoided.
If the disease is still present after one to two years, it may be considered chronic. This occurs in 5 to 20 percent of patients. Typically, the damage to the kidneys continues to progress, but so slowly that the patient is without symptoms; the only evidence of kidney damage may be the presence of protein and red and white blood cells in the urine.
A normal life may be possible for 20 or 30 years, until the kidneys can no longer function. At that time, patients must receive dialysis or a kidney transplant to prolong life.
Each kidney contains more than a million filtering units called nephrons, in which wastes are drawn from the blood to form urine. In each nephron is a network of capillaries (tiny blood vessels) called a glomerulus. Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli (the plural of glomerulus), which interferes with the normal operation of the kidney.
Causes :
Glomerulonephritis can be caused by an infection in the kidneys, but most often it is due to an allergic reaction or immune reaction in other parts of the body. Although many different kinds of infections can lead to glomerulonephritis, including pneumonia, bacterial infection of the heart, syphilis, malaria, hepatitis, and measles, the most common cause is infection of the throat, tonsils, or skin by certain types of Streptococcus bacteria. The body's immune response to the infection occurs as an inflammation of the capillaries in the glomeruli. The capillaries become congested and surrounded by blood cells and pus.
Symptoms :
When caused by infection, the symptoms of glomerulonephritis usually begin one to three weeks after the initial infection, such as strep throat. Otherwise, the actual onset is usually difficult to establish. The patient has headaches, a mild fever, a puffy face, pain in the area between the ribs and the hips, and decreased urine output. The urine may be bloody, smoky, or coffee-colored. Shortness of breath may occur, together with increased heartbeat and a rise in blood pressure. Detection of protein and red blood cells in the urine confirms the diagnosis.
Treatment :
Treatment includes antibiotics if streptoccoccal organisms are still present. Rest and symptomatic treatment are necessary for at least a week after tests of blood, blood pressure, and the urine indicate that the kidneys are back to normal.
Sodium and protein may be restricted or even forbidden for a time. Fluids are restricted until the output of urine returns to normal. Any infection is treated promptly with antibiotics. The overwhelming majority of patients with glomerulonephritis due to streptococcal infection recover fully.
Guarding against infection, injury, and fatigue can help prevent flare-ups of the disease. Intake of protein may have to be limited, depending on how well the kidneys are working. A return to normal activity is desirable, but strenuous exercise should be avoided.
If the disease is still present after one to two years, it may be considered chronic. This occurs in 5 to 20 percent of patients. Typically, the damage to the kidneys continues to progress, but so slowly that the patient is without symptoms; the only evidence of kidney damage may be the presence of protein and red and white blood cells in the urine.
A normal life may be possible for 20 or 30 years, until the kidneys can no longer function. At that time, patients must receive dialysis or a kidney transplant to prolong life.
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