How is glomerulonephritis diagnosed?

Feb 27, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhao Xinju

Introduction

Glomerulonephritis can be diagnosed through urine tests, imaging studies, and blood tests. Occult glomerulonephritis typically does not present with noticeable kidney changes. In addition, glomerulonephritis can also be diagnosed via renal biopsy. Diagnosis of glomerulonephritis should be performed under the guidance of a qualified physician. Patients need to seek timely medical attention, obtain an accurate diagnosis, and take appropriate measures accordingly.

Glomerulonephritis can be diagnosed through urine tests, imaging studies, blood tests, and other examinations.

1. Urine Test

Urine tests mainly include qualitative analysis of urinary protein, 24-hour urinary protein quantification, qualitative test for urinary hemoglobin, and microscopic examination of urine. Typically, the midstream portion of the first morning urine or a 24-hour urine sample is collected for testing. When glomerular filtration rate increases due to infection, it may lead to proteinuria, hematuria, increased red blood cells in urine, and elevated urinary protein levels.

2. Imaging Studies

If the exact site of lesion cannot be determined by urine tests, imaging examinations such as ultrasound or CT scan can help evaluate the size and morphology of the kidneys. In early stages, kidney volume may be enlarged; in later stages of the disease, renal function may become impaired, potentially leading to kidney shrinkage.

3. Blood Test

Blood tests primarily involve biochemical analysis, renal function tests, and complete blood count. For example, acute glomerulonephritis often presents with transient renal dysfunction and may rapidly progress to renal failure within a short period. Chronic glomerulonephritis leads to varying degrees of impaired renal function, while occult (or silent) glomerulonephritis typically does not show obvious changes in kidney structure.

In addition, glomerulonephritis can also be diagnosed via renal biopsy. Confirmation of glomerulonephritis should be performed under the guidance of a qualified physician. Patients should seek timely medical attention, obtain an accurate diagnosis, and receive appropriate treatment accordingly.

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What are the harms of hump-shaped glomerulonephritis?

Hump-shaped glomerulonephritis may lead to complications such as edema, proteinuria, hypertension, anemia, and renal insufficiency. In general, hump-shaped glomerulonephritis should be promptly treated at a正规 hospital. If blood pressure is elevated, antihypertensive medications such as captopril tablets or valsartan tablets should be taken as directed by a physician. For significant edema, diuretics such as furosemide tablets or torasemide capsules may be used.

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What is rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, and how should it be managed?

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis is a severe kidney disease characterized by rapidly advancing glomerular inflammation, typically leading to a sharp deterioration in renal function within weeks to months. Common causes of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis include drug-induced conditions, anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody-mediated glomerulonephritis, parasitic infections, crescentic glomerulonephritis, and immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis.

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Can glomerulonephritis cause whitening of the lower legs?

Glomerulonephritis does not directly cause whitening of the lower legs. Glomerulonephritis primarily involves inflammation of the glomeruli in the kidneys, which can affect the kidneys' filtration and reabsorption functions, leading to symptoms such as proteinuria, hematuria, edema, and hypertension. Although some patients may experience edema, this edema typically manifests as swelling in areas such as the eyelids and lower extremities, rather than whitening of the skin.