Nephrology

Kidney Inflammation

Nephritis is a term, which refers to inflammation of either one or both the kidneys which impaired kidney function. Inflammation happens generally in the glomeruli, tubules, or interstitial tissues surrounding the glomeruli and tubules. There are two types of nephritis they are glomerulonephritis & tubo-interstitial nephritis. There are many reasons for nephritis and depending on the cause treatment will vary. The most common cause is infections and toxins. Pyelonephritis is the inflammation in the kidney caused by urinary tract infection which reaches the pelvic region of the kidney. Pyelonephritis is generally caused by the bacteria present in the intestine.  Lupus nephritis is an inflammation to the kidney due to systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). SLE is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly triggers immune response towards own body tissue. Athletic nephritis is due to strenuous exercise which may cause trauma to the red blood cell eventually lead to the rupture of RBC and release of hemoglobin in the urine.  Nephritis can produce glomeruli injury and as a result, decreased Glomerular blood flow takes place. As the kidneys inflame, needed protein start secreting from the body in the urine stream. Loss of important protein from the body will lead to many life-threatening symptoms.