Acute glomerulonephritis - an immune-inflammatory disease of the kidneys

Acute glomerulonephritis is a bilateral immune-inflammatory disease with damage to the renal glomeruli and other nephron divisions.

This disease can occur at any age. In adults, acute glomerulonephritis is observed mainly in 20-40 years. Especially high incidence in the cold season.

Diagnosis of this disease at the initial stage, when treatment is most effective, is difficult, since there are no pronounced clinical signs.

The main cause of development of acute glomerulonephritis is hemolytic streptococcus of group A. The sensitization of the organism with streptococcus or other infection, supercooling, increased humidity promotes the development of the disease. Great is also the role in the development of glomerulonephritis of a viral infection. It can develop after the repeated introduction of vaccines and serums, with individual intolerance of medicines and chemicals.

Clinical picture

Acute glomerulonephritis is characterized by the appearance of edema, arterial hypertension and urinary syndrome. Edema and hypertension refer to extrarenal, and urinary syndrome - to kidney manifestations of the disease.

In typical cases, acute diffuse glomerulonephritis proceeds acutely, roughly, with a pronounced clinical picture, two to three weeks after acute angina or other focal streptococcal infection. First of all, patients complain of headache, general weakness, malaise, a moderate decrease in appetite, dyspnea at rest, palpitations, pain in the heart and lower back, a decrease in the amount and color change of urine until the appearance of stains like "meat slops". Often, pain in the lumbar region may be the dominant symptom. The appearance of this pain is associated with swelling of the kidney tissue, an increase in the intrarenal pressure and the expansion of the capsule.

When examining patients determine the pallor of the skin and puffiness of the face. With severe left ventricular heart failure, patients take a typical forced position - sitting, developing cyanotic skin and frequent breathing.

Edema in acute glomerulonephritis develops rapidly and is prone to spreading. First they appear on the face, then on the trunk and extremities, in severe cases, liquid can accumulate in the abdominal, pleural cavity and pericardial bag.

The increase in blood pressure refers to the early and most important symptoms that determine acute glomerulonephritis. Diagnosis of arterial hypertension is carried out when there are complaints of a headache. The blood pressure increases moderately and mainly due to diastolic pressure.

At the onset of the disease in many patients, oliguria is determined - a decrease in the volume of urine. Virtually all patients in urine show an increased amount of protein, that is, proteinuria. The highest degree of proteinuria is determined in the early days of glomerulonephritis. At the beginning of the disease is also characterized by the presence in the urine of a significant number of red blood cells, called hematuria.

Complications of acute glomerulonephritis

The most dangerous complications of glomerulonephritis are renal eclampsia, cardiac asthma or pulmonary edema and acute renal failure. Renal eclampsia may occur in patients with obvious swelling, if they do not adhere to the necessary water-salt regime. Clinically, it manifests itself as loss of consciousness and development of convulsive syndrome.

Heart failure develops with a sudden and significant increase in blood pressure, which leads to an increase in the burden on the heart.

Renal failure complicates acute glomerulonephritis with a violent and severe course and may be the cause of death.

With a favorable course of the disease, recovery occurs in the first two to three months.