Nephritis is inflammation of the nephrons in the kidneys that can affect kidney function. There are many types of nephritis with different causes that can be either sudden or develop chronically. Symptoms include blood, protein, or cells in the urine, swelling, and high blood pressure. Nephritis is often diagnosed during routine health checks rather than from symptoms due to non-specific presentations. Treatment depends on the underlying cause but may include antibiotics, diuretics, blood pressure medications, and dietary changes.

1. Nephritis

2. Nephritis is a condition in which the nephrons, the functional units of the kidneys, become
inflamemd. This inflammation, which is also known as glomerulonephritis, can adversely
affect kidney function.
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs that filter the blood circulating the body to remove
excess water and waste products from it.
There are many types of nephritis with a range of causes. While some types occur
suddenly, others develop as part of a chronic condition and require ongoing management.

3. The characteristic symptoms of nephritis are:
● Hematuria (blood in urine may lead to discoloration of the urine)
● Proteinuria or albuminuria (protein in urine may lead to frothy urine)
● Edema (swelling of the face, hands, feet and legs)
● Hypertension
● Hypercholesteremia
● Compromised kidney function

4. Diagnosis
Due to the non-specific cases, nephritis can often be diagnosed late in the course of
disease, after it has already caused damage to the kidneys. In fact, it is often detected in
routine health checks rather than from patient-reported symptoms. Tests that are useful in
the diagnosis of nephritis include:
● Urinealysis
● Dipstick test
● Estimated glomerular filtration rate
● Blood pressure test

5. Treatment
● Antibiotics to treat an infection causing acute nephritis
● Diuretics to relieve symptoms of edema
● Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor
blockers (ARBs) to manage hypertension
● Low-sodium diet to reduce symptoms of edema

6. Urolithiasis

7. The process of forming stones in the kidney, bladder, and/or urethra (urinary
tract).
Kidney stones are a common cause of blood in the urine and pain in the
abdomen, flank, or groin. Kidney stones occur in 1 in 20 people at some time in
their life.
The development of the stones is related to decreased urine volume or increased
excretion of stone-forming components such as calcium, oxalate, urate, cystine,
xanthine, and phosphate. The stones form in the urine collecting area (the pelvis)
of the kidney and may range in size from tiny to staghorn stones the size of the
renal pelvis itself.

8. The cystine stones (below) compared in size to a quarter (a U.S. $0.25 coin) were
obtained from the kidney of a young woman by percutaneous nephrolithotripsy
(PNL), a procedure for crushing and removing the dense stubborn stones
characteristic of cystinuria.

9. The pain with kidney stones is usually of sudden onset, very severe and colicky
(intermittent), not improved by changes in position, radiating from the back, down the
flank, and into the groin. Nausea and vomiting are common.
Factors predisposing to kidney stones include recent reduction in fluid intake, increased
exercise with dehydration, medications that cause hyperuricemia (high uric acid) and a
history of gout.

10. Treatment includes relief of pain, hydration and, if there is concurrent urinary
infection,antibiotics.
The majority of stones pass spontaneously within 48 hours. However, some stones may not.
There are several factors which influence the ability to pass a stone. These include the size of
the person, prior stone passage, prostate enlargement, pregnancy, and the size of the stone. A 4
mm stone has an 80% chance of passage while a 5 mm stone has a 20% chance. If a stone does
not pass, certain procedures (usually by a urology specialist doctor) may be needed.

11. The process of stone formation, urolithiasis, is also called nephrolithiasis.
"Nephrolithiasis" is derived from the Greek nephros- (kidney) lithos (stone) = kidney
stone "Urolithiasis" is from the French word "urine" which, in turn, stems from the Latin
"urina" and the Greek "ouron" meaning urine = urine stone. The stones themselves are also
called renal caluli. The word "calculus" (plural: calculi) is the Latin word for pebble.

12. Kidney stones are small masses of salts and minerals that form inside the kidneys
and may travel down the urinary tract. Kidney stones range in size from just a speck
to as large as a ping pong ball. Signs and symptoms of kidney stones include blood
in the urine, and pain in the abdomen, groin, or flank. About 5% of people develop a
kidney stone in their lifetime.

13. The kidneys regulate levels of fluid, minerals, salts, and other substances in the
body. When the balance of these compounds changes, kidney stones may form.
There are four types of kidney stones, each made of different substances.
Uric acid and cystine are two compounds that may comprise kidney stones.
Factors known to increase the risk of kidney stones include dehydration, family
history, genetics, and the presence of certain medical conditions. Having one or
more family members with a history of kidney stones increases the risk of the
condition.

14. Men tend to develop kidney stones in their 40s through 70s; rates increase with age. Women are most
likely to experience kidney stones in their 50s.

15. Many kidney stones are painless until they travel from the kidney, down the ureter, and into
the bladder.
Depending on the size of the stone, movement of the stone through the urinary tract can
cause severe pain with sudden onset. People who have kidney stones often describe the pain
as excruciating.
The lower back, abdomen, and sides are frequent sites of pain and cramping. Those who
have kidney stones may see blood in their urine. Fever and chills are present when there is
an infection. Seek prompt medical treatment in the event of these symptoms.

16. Most people with kidney stones are able to pass them on their own within 48
hours by drinking plenty of fluids. Pain medication can ease the discomfort.
The smaller the stone, the more likely it is to pass without intervention. Other
factors that influence the ability to pass a stone include pregnancy, prostate size,
and patient size. Stones that are 9 mm or larger usually do not pass on their own
and require intervention.
Stones that are 5 mm in size have a 20% chance of passing on their own while
80% of stones that are 4 mm in size have a chance of passing without treatment.

17. Lithotripsy is a procedure that uses shock waves to break a kidney stone into
smaller pieces that can be more easily expelled from the body. The device used
for this procedure is called a Lithotripter. Kidney stones can also be removed
surgically.
A percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a procedure in which a kidney stone is
removed via a small incision in the skin. A kidney stone may also be removed with
a ureteroscope, an instrument that is advanced up through the urethra and
bladder to the ureter.