Nephritis is a set of diseases that cause inflammation of the kidney glomeruli, which are structures of the kidneys responsible for eliminating toxins and other components of the body, such as water and minerals. In these cases the kidney has less ability to filter the blood.
The main types of nephritis that are related to the affected renal part or to the cause that causes it, are:
- Glomerulonephritis, in which inflammation primarily affects the first part of the filtration apparatus, the glomerulus, which may be acute or chronic;
- Interstitial nephritis or tubulointerstitial nephritis, in which inflammation occurs in the tubules of the kidneys and in the spaces between the tubules and the glomerulus;
- Lupus nephritis, in which the affected part is also the glomerulus and is caused by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, which is a disease of the immune system.
Nephritis can be acute, when it arises rapidly due to a serious infection, such as strep throat, hepatitis or HIV infection or chronic when it develops slowly due to more severe kidney injury.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of nephritis may be:
- Decrease in the amount of urine;
- Red urine;
- Excessive sweating, especially on the face, hands and feet;
- Swelling of the eyes or legs;
- Increased blood pressure;
- Presence of blood in the urine.
With the onset of these symptoms, one should immediately go to a nephrologist to make diagnostic tests such as urine tests, ultrasound, or computer tomography in order to identify the problem and initiate appropriate treatment.
In addition to these symptoms, chronic nephritis can lead to loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, insomnia, itching and cramps.
Possible causes
There are several causes that can lead to the onset of a nephritis, such as:
- Excessive use of medications such as some analgesics, antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diuretics, anticonvulsants, calcineurin inhibitors like cyclosporine and tacrolimus;
- Infections by bacteria, viruses and others;
- Autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's Syndrome, Systemic IgG4-related disease ;,
- Prolonged exposure to toxins such as lithium, lead, cadmium, or aristolochic acid;
In addition, people with various types of nephropathies, cancer, diabetes, glomerulopathies, HIV, sickle cell disease have a higher risk of suffering from nephritis.
How is the treatment done?
Treatment depends on the type of nephritis and therefore if it is an acute nephritis the treatment can be done with absolute rest, control of the blood pressure and reduction of the consumption of salt. If acute nephritis was caused by an infection, the nephrologist may prescribe an antibiotic.
already in cases of chronic nephritis, in addition to blood pressure control, treatment is usually done with the prescription of anti-inflammatory drugs such as cortisone, immunosuppressants and diuretics and a diet with salt, protein and potassium restriction.
The nephrologist physician should be consulted regularly because chronic nephritis often causes chronic renal failure. See the signs that may indicate kidney failure.
How to prevent nephritis
To prevent the onset of nephritis, you should avoid smoking, reduce stress and do not take medicines without medical advice because many of them can cause damage to the kidney.
People who have diseases, especially of the immune system, should make the proper treatment and consult the doctor regularly, in order to monitor blood pressure, and to do regular exams to the kidney. The doctor may also recommend changes in diet such as the intake of less protein, salt and potassium.
