Glomerulonephritis or Autoimmune Kidney Disease Signs and Symptoms

Glomerulonephritis is an autoimmune kidney disease that can result in renal failure. The tiny structures in the kidneys called glomeruli get inflamed, impeding the kidneys’ ability to remove wastes and excess fluids. There are two types of glomerulonephritis, chronic and acute. The chronic form takes years to develop, whereas the acute form comes on suddenly. We have put together a list of common signs and symptoms of glomerulonephritis below.

Also, we have information on diagnosis, supportive natural therapies, helpful books and valuable resources for patients.

The Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Glomerulonephritis include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Fatigue
Loss of protein in the urine
Reduced urine output
Fluid retention
Swelling in the hands, abdomen and feet
Foamy urine
Dark colored urine
High blood pressure

Most cases of glomerulonephtitis occur gradually, taking years to develop. One of the most important signs of glomerulonephritis is an excess of protein in the urine, called proteinuria. This disease affects about 4 in 100,000 people in the United States.

Diagnosis of Glomerulonephritis

Most cases of glomerulonephritis come to light during a routine urinalysis. A doctor may suspect glomerulonephritis if the urine test shows red blood cells, white blood cells and increased protein. High blood pressure is another indicator. If these symptoms are present, a doctor may also order a biopsy of the kidney tissue, which is necessary to confirm a diagnosis of glomerulonephritis. As well, the presence of autoantibodies against the globular basement membrane is indicative of glomerulonephritis.

Books For People With Signs and Symptoms of Glomerulonephritis

Management of Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis (Hospital Practice) Richard Glassock	Postinfectious Glomerulonephritis: Subtypes, Clinico-Pathological Correlations, and Follow-Up Studies (Veroffentlichungen Aus Der Pathologie) Karin Sorger


Glomerulonephritis – A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide to Internet References ICON Health Publications	Treatment of Primary Glomerulonephritis (Oxford Clinical Nephrology Series) Claudio Ponticelli

Glomerulonephritis Resources

General Patient Resources

Renal Resource Center

Renal Resource Centre: RNS Community Health Centre 2C Herbert St, St Leonards NSW 2065 AUSTRALIA Telephone: 61 2 9462 9455 9462 9400 Facsimile: 61 2 9462 9080

http://www.renalresource.com/brochures/glomerulonephritis.php

Better Medicine

Information Including Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Causes, Videos, Forums, and local community support.

http://www.bettermedicine.com/article/glomerulonephritis-1

Medical Resources

Mayo Clinic

Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes and treatments for acute and chronic glomerulonephritis.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/glomerulonephritis/DS00503

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Publications and future studies.

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Nephrology/glomerulonephritis.html

Medline Plus

A service of the National Institute of Health.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000484.htm