Overview
Glomerulonephritis (gloe-MER-u-loe-nuh-FRY-tis) is swelling and irritation, called inflammation, of the tiny filters in the kidneys. The filters are called glomeruli (gloe-MER-u-lie). They remove fluid and waste from the bloodstream that then leave the body as urine.
Swelling and damage to the glomeruli may keep them from filtering as they should. This can lead to kidney and other issues.
Glomerulonephritis can come on at once, called acute, or little by little, called chronic.
Glomerulonephritis may be from a condition that only affects the kidneys. Or it may be part of a condition that affects other organs as well, such as lupus or infections. Treatment of glomerulonephritis depends on the type of glomerulonephritis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of glomerulonephritis may vary depending on whether you have the acute or chronic form. Symptoms also may vary depending on whether glomerulonephritis is part of an illness that damages only the kidneys or damages other organs too. You may notice no symptoms of chronic disease.
Glomerulonephritis symptoms may include:
- Cola- or tea-colored urine from red blood cells in the urine, called hematuria.
- Foamy or bubbly urine due to too much protein in the urine, called proteinuria.
- High blood pressure, also called hypertension.
- Buildup of fluid, called edema, that causes swelling in the face, hands, feet and belly or shortness of breath if the buildup is in the lungs.
- Upset stomach and vomiting because of the buildup of waste in the body.
- Tiredness.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your healthcare professional right away if you have symptoms of glomerulonephritis.
Causes
Many conditions can cause glomerulonephritis. Sometimes the disease runs in families. Sometimes the cause is not known. The following conditions can lead to glomerulonephritis.
Autoimmune conditions
Autoimmune conditions are illnesses that happen when the immune system attacks healthy tissues by mistake. Autoimmune conditions that may cause glomerulonephritis include:
- Lupus. A lasting condition, systemic lupus erythematosus can inflame many parts of the body. These include the skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs.
- Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy. IgA is an antibody that's the first defense against infections, especially in the airways and intestines. It can build up in the kidneys and cause swelling and irritation, called inflammation. This makes it harder for the kidneys to filter waste.
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). These conditions happen because of swelling and irritation, also called inflammation, of small arteries. They're part of a group of blood vessel diseases called vasculitis. They can damage the small arteries in the kidneys, lungs, skin and other organs.
- Anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease. In this rare condition, the immune system attacks the glomeruli and causes glomerulonephritis. This most often leads to kidney failure. The condition also may damage the lungs. When it affects both the kidneys and the lungs, the condition is called Goodpasture syndrome.
Infections
Infections that can lead to glomerulonephritis include:
- Strep infection. Glomerulonephritis after a strep infection is called poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. It may begin a week or two after having strep throat or a strep skin infection. Children are more likely to get poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis than adults are. And they're more likely to get well quickly.
- Bacterial endocarditis. Bacterial endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart's chambers and valves. Some people with endocarditis may get glomerulonephritis.
- Viral kidney infections. The response of the body to some viral infections may cause glomerulonephritis. Infections may include hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Other causes
Sometimes chronic glomerulonephritis runs in families. One form passed through families is Alport syndrome. It also might damage hearing or vision.
Also, glomeruli may get damaged without being inflamed. For instance, long-term diabetes may slowly damage the glomeruli and affect how the kidneys work without the swelling and irritation, called inflammation, of the glomeruli.
Risk factors
Some autoimmune diseases and infections are linked to glomerulonephritis.
Complications
Possible complications of glomerulonephritis include:
Acute kidney injury (AKI). AKI is a quick drop in how well the kidneys work. It happens within days of kidney damage. Sometimes, AKI leads to kidney failure. Kidney failure causes a big buildup of waste, toxins, fluid and salt in the body. The only treatment for kidney failure is use of a machine that filters waste from the kidneys, called dialysis, or a kidney transplant.
Treatment for glomerulonephritis soon after it starts often can prevent long-term damage to the kidneys.
- Chronic kidney disease. Damage to the kidneys may be bad enough that they don't work as well as they used to. This is called chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease may get worse over time and lead to kidney failure. Treatment of kidney failure is either dialysis or a kidney transplant.
- High blood pressure. Damage to the glomeruli from swelling and irritation or scarring can lead to higher blood pressure.
- Nephrotic syndrome. Damage to the glomeruli may cause protein to leak into the urine. Nephrotic syndrome is when there's high blood cholesterol, swelling of the legs, shortness of breath, and a large amount of protein in the urine and too little in the blood.
Prevention
There may be no way to prevent some forms of glomerulonephritis. But here are some steps that might help:
- Get treatment right away for a sore throat or skin infections.
- To prevent viral infections such as HIV and hepatitis that can cause glomerulonephritis, follow safer sex guidelines. Don't use drugs that you shoot with a needle.
- Manage high blood pressure to lower the chance of it damaging your kidneys more.
- If you have a condition that can cause kidney disease, such as lupus, have regular blood and urine testing for signs of kidney damage.