Glomerular diseases refer to conditions that damage the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units in the kidneys. This damage reduces the kidneys' ability to filter waste from the blood, which can cause protein and blood to appear in the urine. Glomerular diseases have various genetic and environmental causes and include glomerulonephritis, which is glomerular inflammation, and glomerulosclerosis, which is glomerular scarring. Symptoms include proteinuria, hematuria, edema, and low blood protein levels. Diagnosis involves urinalysis, blood tests, and potentially a kidney biopsy. Treatment depends on the specific disease but aims to slow kidney damage progression in early stage chronic kidney disease.

1. Glomerular Diseases

2. Introduction of Glomerular Diseases
Diseases that injure the glomeruli, the tiny filtering units within the kidney where blood is cleaned,
are called Glomerular diseases.
Glomerular disease reduces the kidney’s ability to maintain a balance of specific substances in the
blood stream. The kidney’s job is to filter the bad toxins in the blood from the good proteins and red
blood cells. Glomerular disease causes the kidney to begin to retain the bad toxins and release the
proteins and red blood cells from the body. Laboratory analysis of the urine from people who have
glomerular disease often shows protein in the urine (proteinuria) and sometimes blood in the urine (
hematuria). Glomerular diseases include many conditions with a variety of genetic and environmental
causes. Most Glomerular diseases have specific names but might also be referred to as either:
Glomerulonephritis: It describes the inflammation of the membrane tissue in the glomerulus of the
kidney that serves as a filter, separating wastes and extra fluid from the blood.
Glomerulosclerosis: It describes the scarring or permanent damage to the tiny blood vessels within
the kidney.

3. Casuses of Glomerular Diseases
Glomerular disease can be caused by numerous conditions and diseases includinginfection
of the kidneys due to an infection that occurs throughout the body such as streptococcus bacteria
that can cause the overproduction of antibodies that circulate through the blood and invade the
glomeruli causing damage.
Other causes of glomerular disease include taking a drug that is toxic to the kidneys, and chronic
medical conditions including diabetes and lupus. While the progression of certain types of
kidney disease can be slowed down, when damage occurs to the glomeruli it is irreversible.

4. Symptoms of Glomerular Diseases
The symptoms of glomerular disease include the primary symptom of high levels of protein present in
the urine or "proteinuria". Other symptoms of glomerular disease consist of blood in the urine or
"hematuria" that may visible to the naked eye ("gross hematuria") or may only be visible under a
microscope during laboratory testing of the urine ("microscopic hematuria"), "hypoproteinemia"
which is a low level of protein in the blood, "reduced glomerular filtration rate" which is an insufficient
amount of waste products being removed from the blood., and "edema" which is swelling that occurs
in different parts of the body - typically the hands, legs, and feet.
In many cases an individual may not be aware that they have this condition due to the fact that many
of these symptoms cannot be detected unless laboratory tests are done however, in some cases there
are visible signs that may be present which include urine that appears to be foamy which can be
caused by proteinuria, blood may give the urine a pinkish colour and edema may occur which is
swelling typically of the hands, feet, or ankles and generally occurs near the end of the day and may
also be noticeable upon wakening in the morning with swelling around the area of the eyes.

5. Diagnosis of Glomerular Diseases
Patients with glomerular disease have significant amounts of protein in the urine, which may be
referred to as "nephrotic range" if levels are very high. Red blood cells in the urine are a frequent
finding as well, particularly in some forms of glomerular disease. Urinalysis provides information about
kidney damage by indicating levels of protein and red blood cells in the urine. Blood tests measure the
levels of waste products such as creatinine and urea nitrogen to determine whether the filtering
capacity of the kidneys is impaired. If these lab tests indicate kidney damage, the doctor may
recommend ultrasound or an X ray to see whether the shape or size of the kidneys is abnormal. These
tests are called renal imaging. But since glomerular disease causes problems at the cellular level, the
doctor will probably also recommend a kidney biopsy - a procedure in which a needle is used to extract
small pieces of tissue for examination with different types of microscopes, each of which shows a
different aspect of the tissue. A biopsy may be helpful in confirming glomerular disease and identifying
the cause.

6. There are many forms of treatment that can be given when an individual is in the early stages
of chronic kidney disease or CKD and varies widely based upon the specific disease that is causing the
kidneys to fail.
It is essential if you are experiencing any of the symptoms or signs that may indicate a problem with
the urinary tract or kidneys that you schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your primary
care physician so that you can be evaluated and potentially avoid CKD or its further progression that
can lead to kidney failure.
Treatment of Glomerular Diseases

7. There are many forms of treatment that can be given when an individual is in the early stages
of chronic kidney disease or CKD and varies widely based upon the specific disease that is causing the
kidneys to fail.
It is essential if you are experiencing any of the symptoms or signs that may indicate a problem with
the urinary tract or kidneys that you schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your primary
care physician so that you can be evaluated and potentially avoid CKD or its further progression that
can lead to kidney failure.
Treatment of Glomerular Diseases