What is Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease in which the part of your kidneys that helps filter waste and fluids from the blood is damaged. Glomerulonephritis may be caused by problems with the body’s immune system. Often, the exact cause of glomerulonephritis is unknown. Damage to the glomeruli causes blood and protein to be lost in the urine. The condition may develop quickly, and kidney function is lost within weeks or months (called rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis). A quarter of people with chronic glomerulonephritis have no history of kidney disease.

The following may increase your risk of this condition: blood or lymphatic system disorders, exposure to hydrocarbon solvents, history of cancer, infections such as strep, viruses, heart infections, abscesses, amyloidosis, anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody disease, goodpasture syndrome, heavy use of pain relievers, especially NSAIDs, henoch-schonlein purpura, IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, and membranoproliferative GN. Common symptoms of glomerulonephritis include: blood in the urine (dark, rust-colored, or brown urine), foamy urine (due to excess protein in the urine), and swelling (edema) of the face, eyes, ankles, feet, legs, or abdomen.