Kidney Diseases

Glomerular diseases are a group of health conditions affecting the kidney’s small structure that is crucial in filtering waste and excess fluids from the blood (called the glomerulus, a tiny filter like a spaghetti sieve – each kidney has approximately 1 million of them).
Various factors, including infections, autoimmune disorders, and inherited genetic mutations, can cause these diseases.

Symptoms of glomerular diseases may include swelling, protein in the urine (foamy urine), high blood pressure, and decreased kidney function. These conditions can be serious and may lead to kidney failure if not treated promptly and appropriately.

When inflammation is part of the disease presentation, we refer to it as glomerulonephritis (GN). Examples include post-strep glomerulonephritis, lupus nephritis, IgA nephropathy, and others.
Sometimes, there is no inflammation. For example, one of the most common causes of glomerular diseases is due to diabetes. In this condition, damage to the tiny filters (glomerulus) occurs without direct inflammation. Other examples include Alport syndrome, membranous nephropathy, minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and others.

The injury to the kidney (and the glomerulus) from inflammation or many other possible causes can lead to scarring and damage to the glomeruli, leading to problems with the kidneys’ ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood.

Treatment may include medications to reduce inflammation and control blood pressure and lifestyle changes to protect the kidneys. In severe cases, kidney replacement therapy, such as dialysis or kidney transplant, may be necessary.