Kidney Swelling
Types of Nephritis:
Acute Nephritis – Acute nephritic syndrome is a group of disorders that cause inflammation of the internal kidney structures (specifically, the glomeruli). Acute nephritic syndrome is often caused by an immune response triggered by an infection or other disease.
The inflammation disrupts the functioning of the glomerulus, which is the part of the kidney that controls filtering and excretion. This disruption results in blood and protein appearing in the urine, and the build up of excess fluid in the body. Swelling results when protein is lost from the blood stream. (Protein maintains fluid within the blood vessels, and when it is lost the fluid collects in the tissues of the body). Blood loss from the damaged kidney structures leads to blood in the urine.
Acute nephritic syndrome may be associated with the development of high blood pressure, inflammation of the spaces between the cells of the kidney tissue, and acute kidney failure.
Symptoms
- Blood in the urine (urine appears dark, tea colored, or cloudy)
- Blurred vision
- Decreased urine volume (little or no urine may be produced)
- General aches and pains ( joint pain, muscle aches)
- General ill feeling (malaise)
- Headache
- Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
- Swelling of the face, eye socket, legs, arms, hands, feet, abdomen, or other areas
Chronic Nephritis – Is a chronic inflammation of the tissues of the kidney. It is caused by a wide variety of etiological factors. The disease is frequently associated with a slow, progressive loss of kidney function. It is usually discovered accidentally, either by routine urinalysis (tests done to check kidney function) or during a routine physical checkup when anemia, hypertension, or laboratory findings (elevated serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen) are discovered.
