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What Is Glomerular Disease?

Amanda Livingstone
Amanda Livingstone

Glomerular disease refers to a group of disorders that attack the kidney’s blood filtering units, which are called glomeruli. Kidney disorders that involve glomeruli destruction fall into two categories. The first category is called glomerulonephritis and the second is called glomerulosclerosis. Both glomerular disease sub-groups can cause irreversible kidney damage which may lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

 

Blood vessels within the kidney can become inflamed, disrupting its filtering of the blood.
Blood vessels within the kidney can become inflamed, disrupting its filtering of the blood.

Medical conditions that cause inflammation of the glomeruli and related kidney structures are referred to as glomerulonephritis or glomerular nephritis. In glomerulonephritis, acute and chronic inflammation damages the glomeruli and important kidney structures. Consequently, the damage to the kidneys will hinder filtration of waste products, allowing toxins to accumulate in the blood. Common symptoms of glomerulonephritis are foamy urine, blood in the urine, and edema, or swelling.

 

Kidneys play a crucial role in the urinary system and in maintaining electrolyte balance and blood pressure.
Kidneys play a crucial role in the urinary system and in maintaining electrolyte balance and blood pressure.

Autoimmune, hereditary conditions and certain infections can cause glomerular diseases to develop, specifically glomerulonephritis. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Goodpasture’s syndrome, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy are usually the most common autoimmune conditions that affect the kidneys. In each of the aforementioned autoimmune disorders, the body produces harmful autoantibodies which are deposited in the glomeruli causing inflammation to occur. Ultimately, inflammation of the glomeruli will usually lead to scarring and reduced kidney function.

 

Chronic kidney disease may cause high blood pressure.
Chronic kidney disease may cause high blood pressure.

Alport syndrome is a hereditary condition that can cause chronic glomerular disease. Generally speaking, men with the syndrome are more likely to experience kidney impairment than women. Unlike Alport syndrome, anyone can develop a bacterial infection that leads to kidney disease. A bacterial infection such as acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) can develop after an episode of strep throat or impetigo. Much like autoimmune disorders, PSGN harms the kidneys by overly stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies that ultimately deposit themselves in the glomeruli.

 

Diagnosing and treating strep throat early can help reduce the risk of developing acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
Diagnosing and treating strep throat early can help reduce the risk of developing acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

In glomerulosclerosis, the glomeruli and surrounding structures in the kidneys harden and scar. Once scarring has occurred damage to the kidneys is irreversible. Consequently, scarring of the glomeruli causes a disruption in the kidneys’ filtering process. The condition usually progresses until the patient experiences ESRD. Symptoms such as proteinuria, which is excess protein secretion, usually do not present until after the glomerular disease has significantly progressed.

 

Improperly functioning kidneys may cause excess fluid retention, leading to swollen legs and feet.
Improperly functioning kidneys may cause excess fluid retention, leading to swollen legs and feet.

Glomerulosclerosis is usually caused by sclerotic diseases such as diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes is characterized by elevated blood glucose. Over time patients with uncontrolled diabetes will more than likely develop nephropathy of the kidneys. Diabetic induced nephropathy damages the kidneys by scarring and straining the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys. The rate of progression in diabetic nephropathy can be minimized by controlling blood glucose levels and lowering blood pressure.

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    • Blood vessels within the kidney can become inflamed, disrupting its filtering of the blood.
      By: kocakayaali
      Blood vessels within the kidney can become inflamed, disrupting its filtering of the blood.
    • Kidneys play a crucial role in the urinary system and in maintaining electrolyte balance and blood pressure.
      By: Sebastian Kaulitzki
      Kidneys play a crucial role in the urinary system and in maintaining electrolyte balance and blood pressure.
    • Chronic kidney disease may cause high blood pressure.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Chronic kidney disease may cause high blood pressure.
    • Diagnosing and treating strep throat early can help reduce the risk of developing acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
      By: JackF
      Diagnosing and treating strep throat early can help reduce the risk of developing acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
    • Improperly functioning kidneys may cause excess fluid retention, leading to swollen legs and feet.
      By: Ocskay Bence
      Improperly functioning kidneys may cause excess fluid retention, leading to swollen legs and feet.
    • Glomerulosclerosis is typically associated with diabetes and other sclerotic disorders.
      By: dalaprod
      Glomerulosclerosis is typically associated with diabetes and other sclerotic disorders.
    • PSGN harms the kidneys by overly stimulating the immune system.
      By: 7activestudio
      PSGN harms the kidneys by overly stimulating the immune system.