This form of damage to the capillaries of the kidneys most often affects men, is observed in adolescence and childhood, less often - in adulthood (up to 40 years). Acute glomerulonephritis is characterized as an autoimmune disease with allergic symptoms, has pronounced symptoms. It is worth noting that people living in humid climates are more exposed to diseases, especially in the cold season.
The main cause of acute glomerulonephritis
In medical practice, this ailment is considered to be an immunocomplex pathology, during which the reactivity of the production and functionality of protective cells in the body changes. Thus, antigens begin to interact not only with hostile microorganisms, but also with healthy cells, which leads to inflammatory processes in the kidney parenchyma.
The main reason for this mechanism is group A streptococcus (12-beta-hemolytic). Among other factors that cause acute glomerulonephritis, there are:
- angina;
- infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
- tonsillitis ;
- pneumonia;
- staphylococcus aureus;
- typhoid fever;
- malaria;
- diphtheria ;
- viral infections;
- supercooling;
- allergy;
- toxic poisoning.
Acute glomerulonephritis requires treatment of the primary cause of the disease simultaneously with the therapy of the disease itself, since the elimination of symptoms of only glomerular nephritis can lead to its transition to a chronic stage.
Triad of symptoms in acute glomerulonephritis
The first signs of the disease:
- Puffiness. It is noted, for the most part, on the face in the morning time of day.
- Hypertensive syndrome. Characterized by a sharp increase in pressure, especially in the evening.
- Hematuria - staining the urine in a pink, dirty-red color. At the same time, the total fluid production is reduced in comparison with normal daily values.
Acute diffuse poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
This type of glomerular nephritis develops, as a rule, immediately after serious infectious lesions of the body, such as angina, laryngitis, pneumonia, otitis or scarlet fever.
Among the earliest symptoms of this type of glomerulonephritis is a very strong swelling of the face and body of the patient, there may even be a short-term increase in weight (up to 10 kg). In addition, there is a pale skin at different times of the day. In some cases, patients suffer rather severe back pain in the area of both kidneys.
Acute glomerulonephritis - diagnosis
Most often, the diagnosis is made at the stage of treating the symptoms of the disease, since the signs of glomerular nephritis in this form are clearly pronounced. After this, a number of laboratory tests are assigned. Urinalysis with acute glomerulonephritis shows the presence of a large amount of protein and red blood cells. Moreover, the relative density of the biological fluid, as well as its relative to the daily rate, is investigated.
Complications of acute glomerulonephritis
Severe course of the disease can lead to kidney and heart failure, especially if the patient is elderly. But the most common complication is acute glomerulonephritis with nephrotic syndrome, for which a characteristic consequence is the overflow of the inflammatory process into the chronic stage. At the same time, a sharp decrease in kidney function begins, the composition of urine changes greatly.