Is glomerular hematuria serious?
Nov 11, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Guang
Introduction
In general, mild cases are usually not severe and can be managed through conservative treatment and regular follow-up observation. However, severe cases are typically serious and require timely medical intervention with targeted therapy to protect kidney function and improve quality of life.
Patients should maintain adequate sleep and rest in daily life, and avoid strenuous exercise to reduce proteinuria.
In general, mild cases are usually not serious and can be managed through conservative treatment and regular follow-up observation. However, severe cases are typically more serious and require timely medical intervention with targeted therapy to protect kidney function and improve quality of life. The detailed analysis is as follows:
Glomerular hematuria refers to red blood cells passing through a damaged glomerular basement membrane into the urine, resulting in hematuria. If hematuria occurs only occasionally, without proteinuria or obvious physical discomfort, and kidney function remains normal, the condition is generally not severe. Conservative management—including adequate rest and increased fluid intake—may be sufficient, along with regular follow-up monitoring. However, if hematuria occurs frequently, accompanied by symptoms such as flank pain or abdominal pain, and complications like proteinuria and hypertension develop, with evidence of impaired kidney function, the condition is more serious. This may significantly affect the patient's daily life and work, necessitating prompt medical attention and targeted treatment based on the underlying cause.
Treatment should be tailored according to the specific cause—for example, using antibiotics to control infection or immunosuppressants to modulate the immune response. It is also important to control blood pressure, reduce proteinuria, and preserve kidney function. In severe cases, a kidney biopsy may be required to determine the pathological type, guiding the use of medications such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressive agents.
Patients should ensure adequate sleep and rest in daily life and avoid strenuous exercise to minimize proteinuria. A diet low in salt, low in fat, and containing high-quality, low-protein foods is recommended, with restricted sodium intake to avoid increasing the burden on the kidneys. Regular follow-up tests—including urinalysis and kidney function assessments—are essential to monitor disease progression and evaluate treatment effectiveness.
