Acute glomerulonephritis is an infectious-autoimmune lesion of the renal glomeruli, which can also affect other parts of the kidneys: renal tubules and tissue. Streptococcus is the causative agent of the disease in most cases.
Acute glomerulonephritis develops more often in children before puberty and in adults up to 30-40 years of age. There are more men at risk, since the number of male patients is 1.5 times higher. Among the adult population, about 10% are sick. Outbreaks of the disease are recorded in spring or winter, when, due to weather conditions and factors that reduce the activity of the immune system, the possibility of chilling the kidneys and contracting an infection is greater.
General information
With glomerulonephritis, damage occurs to the glomeruli - the glomeruli of the kidneys. Most often this occurs due to an infectious or inflammatory process, but other causes may also influence the appearance of pathology.
According to statistics, glomerulonephritis is one of the three most common kidney diseases occurring in adult patients. The danger is that this disease often leads to disability due to the development of chronic renal failure if treatment is not started in time.
At the same time, there is one very interesting pattern. The use of effective antibacterial treatment can reduce the proportion of acute glomerulonephritis, but the number of patients whose disease becomes chronic is steadily growing. This situation is explained by poor quality nutrition, as well as environmental degradation.
Most often, glomerulonephritis is diagnosed in adult patients under 40-50 years of age. But the disease also occurs in childhood. Moreover, men suffer from it much more often than women.
Possibilities of jade stones
There are many varieties of jade in nature. Some – more, others – less. Each species has its own unique abilities.
The mineral is considered a stone of friendship and good luck. It creates harmony in a person on the physical, mental, spiritual and emotional level. Helps to acquire useful qualities such as compassion and generosity, courage, and calmness. And most importantly, jade helps its owner achieve goals in life and guides him.
The stone has such interesting properties as:
- Attracting wealth.
- Protection from the evil eye and other negative energies.
- The ability to rejuvenate.
- Helps restore potency.
- With its help, it is possible to live long and in wealth.
Jade is used to improve the functioning of the heart, kidneys, spleen and adrenal glands. Positively affects digestion and metabolism. It is very useful for the nervous system and helps against depression.
Dark or light jade will be a faithful assistant. The main thing is to believe in its magical and healing properties, turn to it.
Main symptoms of glomerulonephritis
The acute course of the disease is characterized by 3 main groups of symptoms:
- urinary – increased red blood cells and protein in the urine;
- edematous – swelling of the arms, legs and face;
- hypertensive – an increase in blood pressure that cannot be reduced with conventional blood pressure medications.
It all starts with an increase in body temperature, a headache begins, and the general condition worsens. Swelling of the eyelids is visible, appetite decreases, and the skin turns pale.
Another telltale sign is a change in urine color caused by blood. In 85% of cases, microhematuria develops, in 15% - macrohematuria (this condition is characterized by a change in the color of urine to a very dark color).
Another symptom of glomerulonephritis in adults is facial swelling. It is very pronounced in the morning, gradually disappearing during the day.
Other symptoms include:
- gagging;
- pain in the lumbar region;
- urge to urinate;
- swelling of the limbs.
Types and symptoms of chronic nephritis
The variety of symptoms of chronic nephritis directly depends on the type of disease. There are: hypertensive, nephrotic, mixed, latent and terminal types of chronic nephritis.
With nephritis of the hypertensive type, blood pressure increases, which causes headaches. In addition to arterial hypertension, patients develop atherosclerosis of the vessels of the brain and heart, there is chronic intoxication of the body with products of protein metabolism, and the arterioles of the fundus narrow. Clinical signs of hypertensive type nephritis include:
- changes in the urine, which manifest themselves as proteinuria (increased protein levels), cylindruria (the presence of cylinders in the urine);
- changes in the electrocardiogram;
- hypertrophy of the left heart.
Symptoms of chronic nephritis of the nephrotic type are characterized by nephrotic syndrome, the subjective and clinical signs of which are expressed:
- swelling of the face, spreading to the whole body;
- changes in urine, in particular severe proteinuria;
- elevated blood cholesterol levels;
- abnormally low levels of protein and albumin in the blood serum.
Arterial hypertension in the chronic form of nephritis of the nephrotic type is usually absent; pressure can increase only against the background of the development of large-scale intoxication of the body.
Mixed type nephritis combines the symptoms of chronic nephritis of the hypertensive and nephrotic types, the severity of which varies in each specific case.
Nephritis of the latent (hidden) type in its chronic form is relatively easily tolerated by patients. The disease practically does not manifest itself symptomatically, and its presence is determined only by laboratory tests of urine, the results of which show an increased level of protein and the presence of red blood cells. Very often, latent nephritis is confused with other kidney diseases, and its accurate diagnosis is only possible after taking a kidney puncture.
Terminal type jade ends with any of the jade listed above. Terminal chronic nephritis is an extremely serious condition, which is manifested by arterial hypertension, various disorders of the functions of the gastrointestinal tract, large-scale intoxication of the body, including uremic coma and death.
Symptoms according to the form of the disease
Each form of glomerulonephritis has its own signs and symptoms. The acute stage occurs in different ways: some patients have severe symptoms, others have them, but are not so intense. The main features include:
- swelling;
- general weakness, feverish state;
- strong thirst;
- increased blood pressure;
- blood in urine.
This stage develops within three weeks from the moment of infection. The peculiarity of acute glomerulonephritis in children is that it often leads to recovery, while in adults, the acute form is more pronounced, becoming chronic (without proper treatment).
The chronic form of glomerulonephritis is characterized by the death of the renal glomeruli, which are replaced by connective tissue.
If drug therapy fails to get rid of the inflammatory process, the situation may worsen due to various complications. Moreover, if you start the course of chronic glomerulonephritis, the kidneys will become wrinkled in the later stages of this process, i.e. There is a real danger to life if therapy is not started.
HOW TO DETERMINE THE AUTHENTICITY OF JADE
It is difficult to visually distinguish jade from a fake: the original has a tone on tone with the replica. But the color of the original is always matte, even after prolonged polishing, but tinted minerals give off a shine.
Next, we will consider ways to determine home jade.
Visual
In terms of color, natural jade has clearly colored areas, while artificial jade has blurred boundaries, and in the light they merge into a single whole.
The original structure is difficult to imitate - it resembles patterned cotton wool with fibers.
Dyed jadeite (a cheap analogue) has a grainy internal pattern, while synthetic analogues have a completely uniform pattern.
What real jade looks like can be easily checked in direct sunlight.
Mechanical
- A professional can distinguish a fake jade by weight, but if the buyer has never held real jade in his hand, it is difficult to determine it in this way.
- Check the stone with a needle, lightly scratching it. There will be no trace left on the real thing, but the analogue can be scratched.
- White jade is durable: if you drop the product, nothing will happen to it.
- The naturalness of jade is checked with the fire of an ordinary lighter: since it is a mineral, there should be no traces left on it.
- But pressed fake stone contains many impurities that are susceptible to fire.
- To check the authenticity of a gem, bring a fire to the product, wait 20 seconds, a trace of soot will remain - it can be easily removed: use a damp cloth to return the original color.
- Artificial stone, as a result of burning additives, forms a dark coating that cannot be removed by any means.
We recommend: Types and properties of CITRINE STONE
Features of treatment
Regardless of the form of glomerulonephritis, all treatment is carried out exclusively in an inpatient setting. The length of hospitalization depends on the severity of the individual case.
The treatment regimen is determined by the attending physician. Here is just one of the possible options:
- Diet No. 7.
- Bed rest.
- Antibacterial therapy (erythromycin, oxacillin + ampicillin).
- Taking prednisolone and non-hormonal drugs to correct immunity.
During treatment, various drugs are also used to eliminate associated symptoms. These are diuretics to eliminate swelling, drugs to lower blood pressure, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Medical recommendations are standard: exclude spicy, salty foods from the diet, refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol. You need to monitor your weight, periodically loading yourself with physical exercise.
Diagnostics
This disease is treated by a nephrologist who, through special diagnostic measures, is able to correctly determine the presence of glomerulonephritis and prescribe treatment appropriate to the form of the disease.
Oral interview with the patient
- it is determined whether kidney disease was present previously;
- is there a hereditary predisposition;
- whether you suffered an infectious or viral disease, and what period of time passed after recovery;
- when did the first signs of glomerulonephritis appear;
- how quickly the symptoms of the disease increase;
- whether the patient took any medications on his own and what the body’s reaction was.
External examination of the patient
- the presence and strength of manifestation of external symptoms (edema, etc.) is examined;
- doctor measures blood pressure.
Laboratory research
- urine - the amount of blood and protein is assessed;
- blood - a study is carried out to determine the number of leukocytes and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate;
- biochemical blood test - check for cholesterol and protein;
- immune blood test - taken when the doctor suspects an autoimmune development factor.
An ultrasound (ultrasound examination) is also required, which reveals an increase in the size of the kidneys.
Possible complications
As a rule, complications are caused by chronic glomerulonephritis. The consequences can be quite serious:
- Kidney failure.
- Serious heart problems.
- Uremic coma.
- Nephritic encephalopathy.
Glomerulonephritis is a disease that often leads to early disability. It is important to begin conservative treatment when the first signs of the disease are detected.
At the end of therapy, sanatorium treatment is recommended. You need to be regularly monitored by a specialist.
Prevention
Glomerulonephritis can be prevented by following several effective preventive measures. Here are the main ones:
- Engage in an active hobby (especially if your job involves sitting for long periods of time).
- Stop or significantly limit alcohol consumption and smoking.
- Minimize the consumption of salty foods.
- Avoid hypothermia.
- Constant control of blood sugar (diabetes).
Glomerulonephritis is a progressive disease, the course of which can be stopped if the cause of the pathology is determined in time. Moreover, the overall picture is very favorable: most cases end in complete recovery (in about 30% of cases the disease progresses to the chronic stage).
