Glomerulonephritis (Acute and Chronic)
What is Glomerulonephritis (Acute and Chronic)?
Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the glomeruli, the tiny filters in your kidneys that clean your blood. When these filters become inflamed, they struggle to remove waste and extra fluid from your body. This allows protein and blood cells to leak into your urine when they should stay in your bloodstream.
The condition comes in two forms. Acute glomerulonephritis develops suddenly, often after an infection, and may resolve with treatment. Chronic glomerulonephritis develops slowly over months or years and can lead to permanent kidney damage. Both types interfere with your kidney's ability to filter blood properly.
Your kidneys filter about 150 quarts of blood each day. When glomeruli become damaged, protein leaks into your urine instead of staying in your blood where your body needs it. This protein loss, called proteinuria, is often the first sign that something is wrong with your kidney filters.
Symptoms
- Foamy or bubbly urine from excess protein
- Pink or cola-colored urine from blood
- Swelling in your face, hands, feet, or abdomen
- High blood pressure or worsening blood pressure control
- Fatigue and low energy levels
- Reduced urine output
- Shortness of breath from fluid buildup
- Nausea or loss of appetite
Some people have no symptoms in the early stages of chronic glomerulonephritis. The condition may only be discovered through routine blood or urine testing. This is why regular screening is important for catching kidney problems early.
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Causes and risk factors
Glomerulonephritis has many possible causes. Infections are a common trigger, especially strep throat or skin infections in children. Your immune system creates antibodies to fight the infection, and these antibodies can mistakenly attack your kidney filters. Autoimmune diseases like lupus, IgA nephropathy, and vasculitis can directly inflame the glomeruli. Certain viral infections including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV can also trigger kidney inflammation.
Risk factors include a family history of kidney disease, recent bacterial or viral infections, and autoimmune conditions. High blood pressure and diabetes can worsen existing glomerulonephritis. Some medications and toxins may damage the glomeruli over time. In many cases, doctors cannot identify a specific cause, which is called idiopathic glomerulonephritis.
How it's diagnosed
Diagnosis starts with a urine test to check for protein and blood cells. A urine protein test measures how much protein is leaking through your kidney filters. Normal kidneys keep nearly all protein in your blood, so finding protein in urine is a key warning sign. Blood tests check your kidney function by measuring creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels.
Rite Aid offers urine protein testing as part of our preventive health panel. This screening can detect early signs of kidney damage before you notice symptoms. If urine protein is elevated, your doctor may recommend additional tests including a kidney biopsy to determine the specific type of glomerulonephritis and guide treatment decisions.
Treatment options
- Reduce salt intake to help control blood pressure and swelling
- Limit protein in your diet to reduce strain on damaged kidneys
- ACE inhibitors or ARBs to lower blood pressure and protect kidneys
- Diuretics to remove excess fluid and reduce swelling
- Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in autoimmune forms
- Immunosuppressant medications for severe autoimmune cases
- Antibiotics if a bacterial infection triggered the condition
- Regular monitoring of kidney function and urine protein levels
Concerned about Glomerulonephritis (Acute and Chronic)? Get tested at Rite Aid.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Acute glomerulonephritis develops suddenly, often after an infection, and may improve with treatment. Chronic glomerulonephritis develops slowly over months or years and causes progressive kidney damage. Acute forms may resolve completely, while chronic forms often lead to permanent kidney impairment if not managed properly.
Some cases of acute glomerulonephritis resolve completely with treatment, especially when caused by infection. Chronic glomerulonephritis usually cannot be cured but can be managed to slow progression. Early detection and treatment help preserve kidney function and prevent complications like kidney failure.
Healthy kidney filters keep protein in your bloodstream where it belongs. When glomeruli become inflamed, they develop tiny holes that allow protein to leak into urine. A urine protein test measures this leakage, providing an early warning sign of kidney filter damage before other symptoms appear.
Glomerulonephritis is one type of kidney disease that specifically affects the glomeruli, or filtering units. Not all kidney disease involves glomerulonephritis. However, untreated glomerulonephritis can progress to chronic kidney disease and eventually kidney failure if the damage continues.
Limit salt to reduce blood pressure and swelling, typically to less than 2,000 milligrams per day. Reduce protein intake as your doctor recommends, since damaged kidneys struggle to process excess protein. Avoid processed foods high in sodium and phosphorus. Staying hydrated is important unless your doctor restricts fluids.
Yes, children can develop glomerulonephritis, often after strep throat or other infections. Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis is most common in children aged 5 to 15. IgA nephropathy, another form, often appears in teens and young adults. Most children recover fully with proper treatment.
People with risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, or family history should get urine and blood tests annually. If you have been diagnosed with glomerulonephritis, your doctor may recommend testing every 3 to 6 months. Regular monitoring helps catch changes early so treatment can be adjusted.
Most people with glomerulonephritis do not need dialysis if caught and treated early. Dialysis becomes necessary only if kidney function drops below 10 to 15 percent of normal capacity. Early intervention with medications and lifestyle changes can prevent progression to kidney failure in many cases.
Some types of glomerulonephritis can recur, especially autoimmune forms like IgA nephropathy and membranous nephropathy. Regular monitoring with urine protein tests helps detect recurrence early. Following treatment plans and managing underlying conditions like lupus or infections reduces the risk of flare-ups.
Reduce salt to control blood pressure and fluid retention. Limit protein based on your doctor's guidance. Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol. Manage stress through relaxation techniques. These changes support kidney health and slow disease progression.