Background

Condition Lookup

Sub-Category:

Glomerulonephritis

Number of Conditions: 2

Post-Infectious Glomerulonephritis

Specialty: Nephrology

Category: Glomerular Diseases

Sub-category: Glomerulonephritis

Symptoms:
hematuria (cola-colored urine); proteinuria; edema (swelling); hypertension; fatigue; decreased urine output

Root Cause:
Immune complex deposition in the glomeruli following a streptococcal or other bacterial infection, leading to inflammation and reduced kidney function.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Urinalysis (proteinuria, hematuria), blood tests (elevated anti-streptolysin O titer, decreased complement levels), kidney biopsy if needed, and clinical history of recent infection.

Treatment:
Supportive care including management of hypertension, edema, and maintaining fluid balance; in severe cases, temporary dialysis.

Medications:
Medications include diuretics (e.g., furosemide ) to reduce fluid retention, antihypertensives (e.g., ACE inhibitors or ARBs) to control blood pressure, and antibiotics if the underlying infection is ongoing.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare in developed countries, more common in resource-limited settings.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Recent bacterial infection (e.g., streptococcal throat or skin infection), overcrowded living conditions, poor hygiene, children and adolescents.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally favorable in children, with spontaneous recovery in most cases; adults may have a slower recovery and higher risk of chronic kidney disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome, end-stage renal disease in severe or recurrent cases.

IgA Nephropathy

Specialty: Nephrology

Category: Glomerular Diseases

Sub-category: Glomerulonephritis

Symptoms:
hematuria (often following an upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infection); proteinuria; edema; hypertension

Root Cause:
Deposition of IgA immune complexes in the glomeruli, causing inflammation and scarring.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Urinalysis (hematuria, proteinuria), kidney biopsy (IgA deposits in the mesangium), and clinical history.

Treatment:
Blood pressure management, dietary modifications, and in severe cases, immunosuppressive therapy.

Medications:
ACE inhibitors or ARBs for blood pressure and proteinuria; corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone ) in high-risk cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
The most common primary glomerulonephritis globally, with variable prevalence by region.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic predisposition, male gender, infections, and autoimmune conditions.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Highly variable; some patients experience mild disease, while others progress to end-stage renal disease.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic kidney disease, nephrotic syndrome, end-stage renal disease.