Early Symptoms of Chronic Glomerulonephritis

In the early stage of chronic glomerulonephritis, symptoms are often nonspecific. Patients may experience fatigue, low back soreness, or increased foaming in the urine—symptoms associated with certain clinical manifestations. In patients with proteinuria, protein—considered a vital, refined substance stored in the kidneys—is lost through the urine. This loss leads to kidney deficiency, which in turn causes low back pain, aversion to cold, chills, and fatigue.

The most common early sign is increased foaming in the urine. The foam may be large- or small-bubbled; however, an increase in fine, persistent foam is more typical. Some patients present with clear, cold urine—a feature distinct from that seen in patients with damp-heat patterns, who typically exhibit yellowish urine and abundant foam. In contrast, patients with kidney deficiency often have clear, cold urine accompanied by copious foam, raising strong suspicion of proteinuria.