kidney illustration. lifeline24.co.uk
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Merdeka.com – Kidney It is a pea-shaped organ about the size of a fist that is located just below the ribs and on either side of the spine. These kidneys remove impurities and extra water from the blood, and filter about 150 liters of blood a day.
Each kidney is made up of thousands of structures called nephrons, which are where the filtering of blood takes place. In each nephron, a two-step cleansing process occurs separating needed nutrients from waste products.
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A filter called a glomerulus traps blood cells and proteins, sending water and waste to a second filter, called a tubule. The tubules capture extra minerals and protein. Then, the waste material leaves the body through the urine.
In people with nephritis, both the tubules and the surrounding tissue become inflamed, causing kidney damage. Damaged kidneys cannot function optimally. Dirt builds up and causes serious health problems. If the condition becomes severe, it can lead to kidney failure.
Here’s an explanation of nephritis from the type, cause, to how to treat it, reported from medicalnewstoday.com
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Types of Nephritis
There are several types of nephritis, such as:
Acute Glomerulonephritis: This form of nephritis can develop suddenly after a severe infection, such as strep throat, hepatitis, or HIV. Lupus and less common disorders, such as vasculitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), can also cause acute inflammation of the kidneys. A person with this condition requires immediate medical attention to reduce kidney damage.
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Lupus Nephritis: Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body. More than half of everyone diagnosed with lupus eventually develops lupus nephritis. This occurs when the immune system attacks the kidneys.
Alport’s Syndrome, or Hereditary Nephritis: This disease can cause kidney failure, as well as vision and hearing problems. Alport syndrome is passed down in genes, and is usually more severe in men.
Chronic Glomerulonephritis: This form of nephritis develops slowly and causes few symptoms in the early stages. Like acute glomerulonephritis, this condition can cause severe kidney damage to kidney failure.
Nephropathy IgA: This is one of the common forms of nephritis. This condition develops when IgA antibody deposits build up in the kidneys and cause inflammation. The immune system develops antibodies to fight harmful substances and organisms that enter the body. People with IgA neuropathy have defective IgA antibodies.
Interstitial Nephritis: Often develops very quickly, this form of nephritis usually occurs due to infection or due to certain drugs. This nephritis affects a part of the kidney called the interstitium, which is a fluid-filled space.
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Causes of Nephritis
There are many different causes of nephritis. In some cases, the cause of the nephritis may also be unclear. Nephritis and kidney disease also appear to be often inherited from parents, which suggests a possible genetic component. Some infections, such as HIV and hepatitis B or C, can also cause nephritis.
In some cases, kidney damage can result from medications, such as antibiotics. This damage can lead to nephritis. Taking too many pain relievers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or diuretic pills can also cause this condition.
Symptoms of Nephritis
Symptoms of nephritis rarely become so severe in the early stages. The following signs can indicate that a person has nephritis:
- changes in urination habits
- swelling in any part of the body, especially the hands, feet, ankles and face
- urine color change
- foamy urine
- blood in urine
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Nephritis Treatment
Treatment for nephritis can vary according to the cause and type. Acute nephritis sometimes resolves without treatment. However, usually this condition also requires special treatment and procedures to remove excess fluid and harmful proteins.
Treating chronic nephritis usually involves regular kidney exams and blood pressure monitoring. Your doctor may prescribe water pills to control blood pressure and reduce swelling.
Medications that prevent the immune system from attacking the kidneys can also be useful in some cases. Doctors may also be able to refer someone who has a kidney infection to a nutritionist, who can advise them on what to eat to protect the kidneys. A suitable diet is usually a diet low in protein, salt, and potassium.
How to Prevent
Although nephritis can’t always be prevented, practicing certain lifestyles can reduce your risk of developing the disease. This healthy lifestyle includes:
- maintain a healthy weight
- stop smoking
- keep blood pressure and blood sugar within healthy limits
- exercise regularly
Eating a nutritious and balanced diet can also help protect kidney health.
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