The term kidney inflammation or glomerulonephritis includes several diseases of the kidney. In all forms of kidney inflammation, disorders and inflammation of the kidney tissue or kidney cortex occur. The most common cause of kidney inflammation is autoimmune reactions of the body’s immune system.
What is kidney inflammation?
The term kidney inflammation generally covers a number of different conditions. They all have one thing in common: in terms of an autoimmune reaction, a part of the kidney tissue becomes inflamed – the renal cortex. Renal inflammation is therefore not a disease in its own right, but rather a collective term for the symptoms of various diseases in which the kidneys are involved. The following diseases belong to renal inflammation:
- Acute glomerulonephritis
- Rapidly progressive (progrendial) glomerulonephritis (RPGN).
- Nephritic syndrome
- Chronic glomerulonephritis
- Asymptomatic proteinuria
Kidney inflammation is an initially “silent” disease, as it mostly does not cause pain. But since both kidneys are affected and these may no longer be able to perform their filtering function of the blood (kidney failure threatens), the inflammation of the kidneys can be quite a serious disease.
Causes
The actual cause of kidney inflammation is a stress reaction (autoimmune reaction) of the body to an existing disease. In this, the immune system, in the sense of defense, attacks the body’s own structures – in this case, parts of the kidney. The diseases mentioned above, which all fall under the term kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis), have one thing in common:
In the case of kidney inflammation, there is an inflammation of the renal cortex – i.e. the outer layer of the kidney. This primarily affects the filter cells in the renal corpuscles (glomeruli), which are thus no longer able to perform their filtering function of the blood sufficiently well. Glomerulonephritis can be distinguished from inflammations of the kidney caused by bacteria, e.g. in the course of an untreated inflammation of the renal pelvis (pyelonephritis), because its inflammations are consistently not purulent and occur on both sides. That is, both kidneys are affected. In addition, kidney inflammation is usually painless – it is therefore often not discovered for a long time or only by chance. But the kidneys are vital organs. It is therefore very important to diagnose and treat kidney inflammation quickly!
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Acute kidney inflammation is initially manifested by a seemingly sudden feeling of illness. Accompanying symptoms include loss of appetite, fatigue or fever. In addition, chills, an increased pulse and other cardiovascular complaints may occur. Dull, usually throbbing pain in the lateral upper abdomen is typical. Signs of cystitis are often also noticeable, i.e. pain when urinating, a frequent urge to urinate and abdominal pain. Occasionally, these symptoms occur gradually and are accompanied by other complaints. Then there may be headaches, weight loss and abdominal pain. Signs of bowel obstruction indicate advanced kidney inflammation. The chronic form of kidney inflammation often develops over the course of months or years. Affected individuals notice increasing lassitude, often accompanied by back pain, irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, and nausea and vomiting. In the long term, weight loss and deficiency symptoms occur. As a result of impaired blood formation, anemia may develop, which is also manifested by deficiency symptoms such as dullness, poor performance and pale skin. Chronic pyelonephritis is also manifested by reddish to cloudy colored urine and pain when urinating. In the advanced stages, only a small amount of urine is excreted, resulting in high blood pressure. If the kidney inflammation is treated comprehensively, the symptoms usually subside. In the absence of treatment, late complications are possible.
Complications
If acute kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis) is diagnosed early, there is a good chance of recovery. However, acute kidney inflammation can develop into a chronic form if symptoms are ignored.Nephrotic syndrome often develops as a complication of disseminated glomerulonephritis. Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by the fact that the renal corpuscles become permeable to proteins. This permeability can increase over time. Due to the increased excretion of proteins with the urine, there is eventually a protein deficiency in the blood. This in turn increasingly leads to water retention in the legs or eyelids, also known as edema. Even abdominal dropsy (ascites) can develop. Furthermore, in nephrotic syndrome, fat metabolism is disturbed. Blood lipid levels are elevated. Thrombosis is also a frequent complication of nephrotic syndrome. In addition, the immune system is weakened. As a result, frequent infections occur. Finally, nephrotic syndrome can even lead to kidney failure. To protect the kidneys from complete failure, the blood must be regularly cleansed of toxins with the help of a procedure called dialysis. However, nephrotic syndrome can be cured with intensive treatment. In many cases, however, permanent kidney damage remains. In extreme cases, a kidney transplant is necessary to save life.
When should you see a doctor?
A doctor should be seen as soon as pain develops in the abdomen that is not caused by female menstruation. If there is any malaise, discomfort during urination, lassitude or increased body temperature, a doctor should be consulted. A decrease in the ability to cope with stress, abdominal pain, loss of appetite as well as a refusal to eat are cause for concern and should be clarified by a doctor. A loss of weight as well as headaches are signs of a health condition that should be investigated and treated. If the symptoms persist unabated for several days or increase in intensity, a physician is needed. A feeling of illness, loss of libido, or pain during the sexual act are indications that should be investigated. If there is back pain, a decrease in performance, or daily responsibilities can no longer be adequately met, a doctor’s visit is advised. Frequent urge to urinate, which occurs again immediately after going to the toilet, as well as abnormalities in the amount of urine excreted must be discussed with a doctor. Without adequate therapy, the pathogens can spread further in the organism and lead to a further deterioration of the general condition. In case of sleep disturbances or problems with concentration as well as attention, a visit to the doctor is advisable so that a treatment plan can be established.
Treatment and therapy
Depending on how severe the kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis) is, the following treatment options are available:
If protein excretion and red blood cell excretion in the urine (as a result of the blood’s inadequate filtering function) are only minor, all that is needed initially is regular monitoring without further treatment. As a rule, however, “immunosuppressive therapy“, e.g. with cortisone, is necessary in the case of kidney inflammation. This suppresses the overreacting immune system, which prevents the kidney inflammation from progressing. This is particularly important, as the kidneys can fail in the event of a severe acute or chronic course of the disease. In that case, permanent dialysis (blood washing) would be necessary to take over the filtering of the blood. It is also important to lower blood pressure that is too high, as this puts additional strain on the kidneys’ filtering function and causes lasting damage. As long as the kidneys are still functioning sufficiently well, care should be taken to ensure adequate fluid intake through drinking. In some cases, a diet low in salt and protein is also advised for kidney inflammation. To date, there is no form of therapy for kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis) that treats the causes.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis of renal inflammation turns out to be basically very variable, as it depends on the type, severity, and not least the course (acute/chronic). Both acute and chronic renal inflammation severely damage the kidney if left untreated. Acute kidney inflammation often heals if diagnosed in time and treated appropriately. If left untreated, however, it can lead to complete kidney failure in severe cases.Early diagnosis and treatment are particularly important in the case of “rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis” – also known as RPGN. The latter not infrequently takes a severe course and leads relatively quickly to kidney failure. In fact, four out of ten patients diagnosed with RPGN have to undergo blood purification (dialysis). Proper treatment also appears to be extremely important in cases of kidney inflammation that can no longer be cured. In many cases, progressive deterioration of kidney function can be prevented or at least slowed down until patients are dependent on blood purification or kidney transplantation. If, on the other hand, kidney inflammation does not cause any symptoms, no or only minimal protein and blood is excreted in the urine, and kidney function and blood pressure show normal values, it is usually sufficient for patients to be examined by a doctor at regular intervals. These examinations should, of course, include blood and urine tests.
Prevention
Kidney inflammation can be prevented by the following measures:
Infections caused by streptococci (e.g., scarlet fever) should be treated with antibiotics in a timely manner and for a sufficiently long time. Post-infectious renal inflammation can thus be prevented. Other diseases that can lead to a severe form of kidney inflammation (nephritic syndrome) should also be treated consistently. Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) should be mentioned here in particular. Furthermore, it is beneficial to drink plenty of fluids, refrain from alcohol and smoking, and generally maintain a healthy and athletic lifestyle.
Follow-up
Follow-up care for kidney inflammation consists of regular check-ups of the affected kidney. The organ is examined by ultrasound and other imaging techniques to detect any complications. Blood pressure and the condition of the ureters may also be checked. The physician also palpates the kidney region and examines the patient by eye for unusual symptoms or signs of any concomitant diseases. The accompanying medical history is taken to determine any complications and to answer any open questions the patient may have. Provided that no abnormalities are detected and the patient has no further questions, the follow-up can be completed after a single check-up. In most cases, a final examination is performed one to two weeks after recovery. If healing is very slow, further check-ups are necessary. The same applies to chronic complaints and to older or physically weakened patients. In the case of chronic and protracted courses, weekly routine check-ups by the specialist are recommended. During these appointments, the medication is also checked and adjusted if necessary. Depending on the symptoms, the patient is also referred to a physiotherapist or specialist who can initiate additional therapeutic measures. Follow-up care is provided by a renal specialist or the general practitioner.
What you can do yourself
With an existing kidney inflammation, plenty of fluids should be taken in. Up to three liters per day are recommended for those affected. The high fluid intake helps to transport bacteria from the kidney. Drinking alcohol, black tea or caffeinated beverages should be avoided. These products have a negative effect on the organism and the functioning of the kidney. Healthier and more beneficial is the consumption of medicinal teas, green tea as well as non-carbonated water. When going to the toilet, make sure that the bladder is always completely emptied. This allows more bacteria to be expelled from the body. In addition, urination should be more frequent than normal. The body needs adequate warmth during the period of discomfort. A hot water bottle can be used to warm the back as well as the lower abdomen several times a day. Wearing warm and breathable clothing is also advisable. Regular sitz baths with chamomile are also considered beneficial and healthy. In particular, care should be taken to ensure that the kidney region is spared the effects of drafts. Adequate rest and protection are helpful, especially in the initial phase of the disease. In the case of advanced kidney inflammation, bed rest is required.Physical overexertion should be avoided and regular breaks should be taken in all activities that take place.
