Is glomerulonephritis a serious disease?

Although mild cases of glomerulonephritis can be treated effectively, for some people the condition can lead to long-term kidney problems.

Is glomerulonephritis serious?

This disrupts the kidneys' ability to remove waste, which can lead to other complications such as high blood pressure or kidney failure. This problem is called glomerulonephritis, which although rare, can be very serious.

What happens if you have glomerulonephritis?

Glomerulonephritis is inflammation and damage to the filtering part of the kidneys (glomerulus). It can come on quickly or over a longer period of time. Toxins, metabolic wastes and excess fluid are not properly filtered into the urine. Instead, they build up in the body causing swelling and fatigue.

Can glomerulonephritis be fatal?

Acute kidney failure is the sudden, rapid decline in kidney function, often associated with an infectious cause of glomerulonephritis. The accumulation of waste and fluids can be life-threatening if not treated promptly with an artificial filtering machine (dialysis).

Is glomerulonephritis a terminal?

What is glomerulonephritis? Glomerulonephritis refers to a range of inflammatory kidney conditions of the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, known as glomeruli. It can be acute, which means it starts suddenly, or chronic, during which the onset is gradual. Either type can be fatal.

What is the prognosis for glomerulonephritis?

Outlook (Prognosis)

Glomerulonephritis may be temporary and reversible, or it may get worse. Progressive glomerulonephritis may lead to: Chronic kidney failure. Reduced kidney function.

Can glomerulonephritis be cured?

Some cases of acute glomerulonephritis, especially those that follow an infection with streptococcal bacteria, might improve on their own and require no treatment. If there's an underlying cause — such as high blood pressure, an infection or an autoimmune disease — treatment will be directed to the underlying cause.

What are three risks of glomerulonephritis?

Risk Factors

• A family history of kidney disease.
• Past or current kidney problems.
• Having other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Taking certain medicines.
• Exposure to toxins.

What are the stages of glomerulonephritis?

Three phases of the disease can be identified: the latent phase, the acute phase, and the recovery phase. Gross hematuria occurs at onset in 30-50% of children with poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis who require hospitalization. The urine is usually described as being smoky, cola colored, tea colored, or rusty.

Why do you get glomerulonephritis?

Causes of glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is often caused by a problem with your immune system. Sometimes it's part of a condition such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or vasculitis. In some cases, it can be caused by infections, such as: HIV.