Nephritis Could Lead To Kidney Failure, Hypertension And Many More! Read This Article To Know Your Kidneys Health Status.
Nephritis Could Lead To Kidney Failure, Hypertension And Many More! Read This Article To Know Your Kidneys Health Status.
Nephritis is a condition in which the functional units of the kidneys called Nephrons become inflamed. This inflammation, which is also known as glomerulonephritis, can adversely affect kidney function.
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs that filter the blood circulating the body to remove excess water and waste products from it.
There are many types of nephritis with a range of causes. While some types occur suddenly, others develop as part of a chronic condition and require ongoing management.
Anatomy of the kidney
The kidneys are vital for filtering waste.
The two kidneys are bean-shaped, fist-sized organs that sit just beneath the ribs on either side of the spine. They remove impurities and extra water from the blood, filtering about 150 quarts of blood a day.
Each kidney consists of thousands of structures called nephrons, in which the blood filtering takes place. In each nephron, a two-step cleaning process separates necessary nutrients from waste products.
A filter called the glomerulus catches blood cells and protein, sending water and waste to a second filter, called a tubule. The tubule captures minerals and extra protein. After that, waste materials leave the body in the urine.
In people with nephritis, both the tubules and nearby tissues become inflamed, which can lead to kidney damage.
Damaged kidneys are unable to function at full capacity. Waste builds up and causes serious health problems. If the condition is severe or persistent enough, it can result in kidney failure.
Types of Nephritis.
There are two types nephritis, acute and chronic.
The acute form develops suddenly. You may get it after an infection in your throat or on your skin. Sometimes, you may get better on your own. Other times, your kidneys may stop working unless the right treatment is started quickly.
The early symptoms of the acute disease are:
puffiness of your face in the morning
blood in your urine (hematuria)
urinating less than usual.
You may have shortness of breath and cough because of extra fluid in your lungs. You may also have high blood pressure. If you have one or all of these symptoms, be sure to see your doctor right away.
The chronic form may develop silently (without symptoms) over several years. It often leads to complete kidney failure. Early signs and symptoms of the chronic form may include:
Blood or protein in the urine (hematuria, proteinuria)
High blood pressure
Swelling of face or ankles (edema)
Frequent urination in the night
Very bubbly or foamy urine.
In other words, the types of Nephritis include:
Glomerulonephritis: Is inflammation of the glomeruli. Glomerulonephritis is often implied when using the term "nephritis" without qualification.
Interstitial nephritis (or tubulo-interstitial nephritis) is inflammation of the spaces between renal tubules.
Pyelonephritis.
Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney, usually due to a bacterial infection. In the majority of cases, the infection starts within the bladder and then migrates up the ureters and into the kidneys. Ureters are two tubes that transport urine from each kidney to the bladder.
Causes of Nephritis.
Each type of acute nephritis has its own causes.
Interstitial nephritis.
This type often results from an allergic reaction to a medication or antibiotic. An allergic reaction is the body’s immediate response to a foreign substance. Your doctor may have prescribed the medicine to help you, but the body views it as a harmful substance. This makes the body attack itself, resulting in inflammation.
Low potassium in your blood is another cause of interstitial nephritis. Potassium helps regulate many functions in the body, including heartbeat and metabolism.
Taking medications for long periods of time may damage the tissues of the kidneys and lead to interstitial nephritis.
Pyelonephritis
The majority of pyelonephritis cases results from E.coli bacterial infections. This type of bacterium is primarily found in the large intestine and is excreted in your stool. The bacteria can travel up from the urethra to the bladder and kidneys, resulting in pyelonephritis.
Although bacterial infection is the leading cause of pyelonephritis, other possible causes include:
urinary examinations that use a cystoscope, an instrument that looks inside the bladder
surgery of the bladder, kidneys, or ureters
the formation of kidney stones, rocklike formations consisting of minerals and other waste material.
Glomerulonephritis
The main cause of this type of kidney infection is unknown. However, some conditions may encourage an infection, including:
problems in the immune system
a history of cancer
an abscess that breaks and travels to your kidneys through your blood
Who is at risk for acute nephritis?
Certain people are at greater risk for acute nephritis. The risk factors for acute nephritis include:
a family history of kidney disease and infection
having an immune system disease, such as lupus
taking too many antibiotics or pain medications
recent surgery of the urinary tract.
What are the symptoms of Nephritis?
The symptoms of nephritis are rarely severe in the early stages. The following signs may indicate that a person has this condition:
changes in urinating habits
swelling anywhere in the body, especially the hands, feet, ankles, and face
changes in urine color
foamy urine
blood in the urine
How to diagnose Nephritis?
The first clues are the signs and symptoms. Finding protein and blood cells in your urine is another sign. Blood tests will help the doctor tell what type of illness you have and how much it has hurt your kidneys.
In some cases, a test called a kidney biopsy may be needed. In this test, a tiny piece of your kidney is removed with a special needle, and looked at under a microscope. A biopsy will help the doctor plan the best treatment for you.
Lab tests can also confirm or rule out the presence of an infection. These tests include a urinalysis, which tests for the presence of blood, bacteria, and white blood cells (WBCs). A significant presence of these can indicate an infection.
A doctor may also order blood tests. Two important indicators are blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. These are waste products that circulate in the blood, and the kidneys are responsible for filtering them. If there’s an increase in these numbers, this can indicate the kidneys aren’t working as well.
An imaging scan, such as a CT scan or renal Ultrasounds.
Complications of Nephritis.
Nephritis can damage your kidneys so that they lose their filtering ability. As a result, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and waste build up in your body.
Possible complications of nephritis include:
Acute kidney failure.
Loss of function in the filtering part of the nephron can result in rapid accumulation of waste products. You might need emergency dialysis — an artificial means of removing extra fluids and waste from your blood — typically by an artificial kidney machine.
Chronic kidney disease.
Your kidneys gradually lose their filtering ability. Kidney function that deteriorates to less than 10 percent of normal capacity results in end-stage kidney disease, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to sustain life.
High blood pressure.
Damage to your kidneys and the resulting buildup of wastes in the bloodstream can raise your blood pressure.
Nephrotic syndrome.
With this syndrome, too much protein in your urine results in too little protein in your blood. Nephrotic syndrome can be associated with high blood cholesterol and swelling (edema) of the eyelids, feet and abdomen.
Treatment of Nephritis.
Medication can help in cases where a kidney infection does not clear up without treatment.
The treatment for nephritis may vary according to the cause and type.
A doctor will typically prescribe antibiotics to treat the kidney infection. If your infection is very serious, you may require intravenous (IV) antibiotics within the hospital inpatient setting. IV antibiotics tend to work faster than antibiotics in pill form. Infections such as pyelonephritis can cause severe pain. Your doctor may prescribe medication to relieve pain as you recover.
Acute nephritis sometimes resolves without treatment. However, it usually requires medication and special procedures that remove excess fluids and dangerous proteins.
Treating chronic nephritis typically involves regular kidney check-ups and blood pressure monitoring. Doctors may prescribe water pills to control blood pressure and reduce any swelling.
Medications that prevent the immune system from attacking the kidneys can also be beneficial in some cases.
Doctors may also refer an individual with kidney infection to a dietitian, who can advise them on what to eat to protect their kidneys. A suitable diet will typically be lower in protein, salt, and potassium.
If your kidneys are very inflamed, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids.
Supplements.
When your kidneys aren’t working as well, it can impact the balance of electrolytes in your body. Electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium, are responsible for creating chemical reactions in the body. If your electrolyte levels are too high, your doctor may prescribe IV fluids to encourage your kidneys to release the extra electrolytes. If your electrolytes are low, you may need to take supplements. These could include potassium or phosphorus pills. However, you shouldn’t take any supplements without your doctor’s approval and recommendation.
Dialysis.
If your kidney function is significantly impaired due to your infection, you may require dialysis. This is a process in which a special machine acts like an artificial kidney. Dialysis may be a temporary necessity. However, if your kidneys have experienced too much damage, you may need dialysis permanently.
Preventions of Nephritis.
Although it is not always possible to prevent nephritis, certain lifestyle practices can reduce the risk for many people. These practices include:
maintaining a healthy weight
quitting smoking
keeping blood pressure and blood sugar within healthy limits
exercising regularly
Eating a nutritious, balanced diet can also help protect kidney health.
interstitial nephritis may require treating the underlying conditions causing the problems. For example, if a medication you’re taking is causing kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe an alternate medication.
Home care for Nephritis.
When you have acute nephritis, your body needs time and energy to heal. Your doctor will likely recommend bed rest during your recovery. Your doctor may also advise you to increase your fluid intake. This helps to prevent dehydration and keep the kidneys filtering to release waste products.
If your condition affects your kidney function, your doctor may recommend a special diet low in certain electrolytes, such as potassium. Many fruits and vegetables are high in potassium. Your doctor may instruct you regarding which foods are low in potassium.
You can also soak some vegetables in water and drain the water before cooking them. This process, known as leaching, can remove extra potassium.
Your doctor may also recommend cutting back on high-sodium foods. When you have too much sodium in your blood, your kidneys hold onto water. This can increase your blood pressure.
There are steps you can take to reduce sodium in your diet:
Eat less sodium
Use fresh meats and vegetables instead of prepackaged ones. Prepackaged foods tend to be high in sodium.
Choose foods labeled “low sodium” or “no sodium” whenever possible.
When eating out, ask your restaurant server to request that the chef limit salt added to your dishes.
Season your food with spices and herbs instead of sodium-blended seasonings.
Sources:
www.healthline.com
www.kidney.org
www.medicalnewstoday.com
www.mayoclinic.com
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