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Acute Glomerulonephritis

Acute Glomerulonephritis

Acute glomerulonephritis is a kidney disease that arises from inflammation of the glomerulus. The glomerulus is a small condensed group of blood vessels that filter the blood. A compromised kidney function or overt kidney failure can lead to Acute glomerulonephritis.

The post-streptococcal form of glomerulonephritis is being discussed here, though there are other causes too. You can read up more on rheumatic fever. Glomerulonephritis, that occurs post-streptococcal infection is usually the result of an untreated bacterial throat infection (strep throat) or scarlet fever. There are special quick tests to diagnose strep throat and suitable antibiotics are prescribed. Rheumatic fever occurs largely due to the body's abnormal immunologic reaction to the bacteria.

Patients suffering from Glomerulonephritis will notice smoky coloured urine, declined urine output, facial and body swelling and increased blood pressure. A kidney profile along with a blood test and examination of the status of electrolytes will allow a doctor to assess the extent of damage to the kidneys and what portion of the kidney functions are not affected. Urinalysis and 24 hour urine collection for creatinine aid in the diagnosis. When there is a doubt about the diagnosis, a kidney biopsy may be necessary.

A Nephrologist or Internist is best equipped to handle this medical condition. Additional information on kidney disease can be perused along with suggestions for an appropriate kidney disease diet.

Kidney Disease

Kidney Disease is a chronic condition that is often not detected early. Persons suffering from high blood pressure or diabetes or heart disease are susceptible to develop chronic kidney disease. If left untreated, it can lead to kidney failure. Glomerulonephritis or kidney stones or enlarged prostate can lead to kidney disease. Repeated episodes of UTI can lead to kidney disease. Congenital kidney disease occurs due to any malformation of the urinary tract.

A person suffering from chronic kidney disease is likely to feel fatigue and have trouble concentrating. There is puffiness around the eyes, feet and ankles. There might be muscle cramping at night. Kidney disease can lead to anemia and deficiency of Vitamin D. Kidney disease may bring about constant itching in the patient. It can lead to depression and sexual dysfunction.

Blood tests for urine and serum creatinine indicate any possible kidney disease. A patient suffering from kidney disease must make changes in the diet that include reduction of salt as well as reduced intake of potassium and protein. Patients suffering chronic kidney disease may need Vitamin D supplements. Antihistamines can help control itching associated with this disease. Dialysis is the treatment for patients suffering from kidney disease.

ANA blood test

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) refer to the unusual antibodies that are detectable in the blood. ANA are gamma-globulins type of antibodies that are found in patients with certain autoimmune diseases. ANA are directed against certain components found in the nucleus of a cell in the body. These antibodies have the capacity of binding certain structures within the nucleus of the cells. The ANA test was first designed by Dr.George Friou in 1957. The laboratory blood test exposes the antibodies in the serum of the blood to cells. It is then determined whether or not antibodies are present that react to various parts of the nucleus of cells. Hence the term 'anti-nuclear' antibody is used. Fluorescence techniques are adopted to detect the ANA antibodies in the cells. Thus ANA testing is sometimes referred to as fluorescent antinuclear antibody test (FANA). Nowadays, a method to detect antinuclear antibodies called enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is replacing the previous method of immunofluorescent assay technique. The ELISA method is less likely to produce false positive ANA result than the previous method.

Patterns also give doctors a clue as to the type of illness to look for while evaluating a patient. For instance, the disease Scleroderma shows in nucleolar pattern. If a person does not have any autoimmune disease, it is defined in speckled pattern. An ANA blood test is used in patients who might be suffering from Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, scleroderma, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, juvenile diabetes mellitus, Addison's disease, vitiligo, pernicious anemia, glomerulonephritis and pulmonary fibrosis. ANA can also be found in patients with conditions that are not considered autoimmune diseases such as chronic infections and cancer. The result of ANA test is expressed in titers. A titer of 1 to 80 (1:80) means that antibodies could be last detected when 1 part of the blood sample was diluted by 80 parts of another liquid. Usually this other liquid is a diluted salt solution. A larger second number indicates that the antibodies are present in greater concentration. Therefore a titer of 1 to 320 indicated higher concentration of antibodies in the blood than a titer of 1 to 80. The normal values of ANA blood test is : Titer below 1: 20 or 1:40 depending on the test method used.

Positive ANA test result is suggestive of autoimmune disease. It can also mean that the patient has drug induced lupus. Some drugs and infections can also induce false positive ANA test results. Steroids can cause a false-negative result. Medications, especially antibiotics such as isoniazid, penicillin, and tetracycline, birth control pills, lithium and some diuretics such as chlorthalidone can interfere with the test and affect the accuracy of the ANA test result.