Nephritis

Nephritis is non-purulent inflammation of both kidneys; damaged renal corpuscles cause edema, hypertension and proteinuria, the commonest kidney disease. Types include acute/chronic glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, latent nephritis, purpuric nephritis and lupus nephritis. Nephritis is immune-mediated: different antigenic microbes trigger different antibodies forming immune complexes deposited at different renal sites. Most patients have a precursor infection one month before onset, often starting with oliguria or even anuria, with microscopic hematuria. Main features: fatigue, lumbar pain, anorexia, macroscopic hematuria, edema, hypertension, abnormal renal function, reduced urine output and congestive heart failure. TCM attributes it to repeated wind-cold, wind-heat, heat-toxin and damp-heat, plus internal injury; treatment aims to prevent progressive damage rather than just eliminate proteinuria.

Common Symptoms

Renal pain; lower-limb edema; facial edema; after strenuous exercise; myxedema facies; hematuria with proteinuria; foamy urine; anuria; oliguria; leg edema

Causes

Nephritis is an immune-mediated inflammatory reaction. Diabetes causes diabetic nephropathy with early proteinuria, edema and hypertension and later renal damage. Long GI disease with nausea and vomiting may reveal nephritis; watch for anorexia, nausea and extreme thirst. Hypertension and kidney disease form a vicious cycle. Lupus nephritis occurs because the kidney is the organ most often attacked by SLE. Some patients have a family history. Check urine for purpuric rash, HBV-associated GN after hepatitis B, and obesity-related glomerulopathy in overweight people.

Treatment

Medication, supportive treatment

Prevention

1. Control diet and avoid excess acid; eat more plant alkalizing foods and vegetables. 2. Exercise aerobically and sweat in the sun to excrete acids. 3. Keep a good mood and avoid stress. 4. Keep regular hours. 5. Avoid tobacco and alcohol; herbal teas such as honeysuckle and chrysanthemum help. 6. Avoid polluted food and water.

Recommended Department

It is recommended to visit the nephrology department; before the visit you may first book an appointment and connect with experts through this platform.

Warm reminder: The above information is provided for health education reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek care at a regular hospital in time.