Diagnosis
A healthcare professional may diagnose glomerulonephritis during testing for another illness or during routine testing during a wellness visit. Tests to see how the kidneys are working include:
- Urine test. Called a urinalysis, this test can show signs of the kidneys not working well. For instance, the test may show red blood cells and proteins that shouldn't be in urine. Or it may show white blood cells that are a sign of swelling and irritation, called inflammation.
- Blood tests. Study of blood samples can show higher than expected levels of waste products in the bloodstream or antibodies that may mean an autoimmune condition. Blood tests also can find signs of infection.
- Imaging tests. An X-ray, an ultrasound or a CT scan can show the shape and size of the kidneys.
- Kidney biopsy. For this test, a healthcare professional uses a special needle to take small pieces of kidney tissue to look at under a microscope. A biopsy can confirm a diagnosis and show tissue damage.
Lifestyle and home remedies
If you have a kidney condition, the following lifestyle changes may help:
- Use less salt. This can help with fluid buildup, swelling and high blood pressure.
- Eat less protein. This can slow the buildup of waste in your blood.
- Stay at a healthy weight.
- Get regular exercise.
- Manage your blood sugar level if you have diabetes.
- Manage high blood pressure if you have it.
- Quit smoking.
Coping and support
Living with a chronic illness can bring up feelings such as stress and worry. If you have chronic glomerulonephritis or chronic kidney failure, joining a support group might help you cope.
To find a support group, ask your healthcare team or contact the National Kidney Foundation to find the chapter nearest you.
Preparing for your appointment
What you can do
To get ready for your appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do ahead of time, such as limit what you eat and drink. Make a list of the following:
- Your symptoms, including any that don't seem linked to your kidneys, and when they began.
- All the medicines, vitamins and supplements you take, including dosages.
- Your key medical history, including any other medical conditions you or your family members have or had.
Take a family member or friend along, if possible, to help you remember the information you get.
When you have follow-up appointments after a diagnosis of glomerulonephritis, you may want to ask these questions:
- How well are my kidneys working? Has this changed since the last exam?
- When should I schedule lab work or another appointment?
- How do the medicines you prescribed work? What side effects might I have?
- Will I need dialysis?
- What help can I get to manage linked conditions, such as support with diet planning or exercise?
- What do I do if I miss a dose of a prescription?
- When should I get urgent care?
- Are there brochures or other printed information that I can have? What websites do you suggest?