Treatment of nephritis: drug therapy, general measures

Nephritis: symptoms, classification, treatment

Nephritis is a disease of the kidneys (glomeruli, tubules or interstitial tissue) of an inflammatory nature. The term is usually used to denote a group of kidney diseases. In some sources, nephritis is called glomerulonephritis (glomerular nephritis).

Nephrites - classification:

• glomerulonephritis – inflammation of glomeruli (glomeruli);
• interstitial or tubulointerstitial nephritis – inflammation of renal tubules and their surrounding tissues;
• pyelonephritis – inflammation of the calyx and renal parenchyma.

According to the course, acute and chronic nephritis are distinguished. According to the degree of spread of the inflammatory process, nephritis can be focal or diffuse. There is also lupus nephritis (kidney damage in SLE) and radiation nephritis.

Causes and symptoms of the disease

Inflammation of the kidneys "interstitial nephritis", usually caused by taking drugs:

• antibiotics (especially the group of aminoglycosides);
• sulfanilamides;
• fluoroquinolones;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• immunosuppressants;
• diuretics;
• introduction of serums, vaccines.

Postinfectious nephritis develops after viral and bacterial infections. Sometimes the cause of interstitial nephritis cannot be established. In such cases, we are talking about idiopathic nephritis.

With nephritis (kidney disease), the symptoms in adults depend on the type of disease and the degree of organ damage. Nephritis causes glomerular damage and inflammatory cell proliferation, which can lead to decreased glomerular blood flow, oliguria (decreased urine production), and uremia. Hematuria (blood in the urine) may also occur due to damage to the glomeruli.

Glomerular nephritis - symptoms:

• proteinuria (protein in the urine);
• hematuria (in 50% of cases macrohematuria is noted);
• increasing ESR;
• oliguria or anuria (daily volume of urine less than 50 ml);
• high blood pressure (over 180/100 mm Hg). Low renal blood flow activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, causing fluid retention and mild hypertension;
• swelling on the face - "the face of a nephritic";
• accumulation of fluid in cavities - abdominal (ascites), pleural (hydrothorax);
• shortness of breath;
• headache.

Symptoms of interstitial nephritis are general weakness, poor appetite, allergic rash, sometimes chills, muscle pain.

How to treat nephritis

Nephritis treatment is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor, as a rule, in a hospital. Clinical recommendations depend on the diagnosis, age of the patient, concomitant diseases.

In acute glomerulonephritis, bed rest and restriction of fluid intake are indicated in the first stages of the disease. Etiotropic therapy is carried out for post-infectious glomerulonephritis. Penicillin antibiotics are prescribed. To relieve edema, furosemide is used, and to stop persistent arterial hypertension, blockers of slow calcium channels are used. In acute renal failure, the consumption of proteins, salt, potassium, and liquid is strictly limited. Hemodialysis is indicated when azotemia increases. Immunosuppressants are used in conjunction with nephrotic syndrome.

How to treat chronic nephritis - clinical recommendations:

1. Elimination of the etiological factor (causative agent).
2. Conducting immunosuppressive therapy (glucocorticoids and cytostatics).
3. Correction of hyperlipidemia and hypercoagulation.
4. Decreasing high blood pressure.
5. Removal of products of nitrogen metabolism (hemodialysis).
6. Prescription of anticoagulants and antiaggregants.
7. For severe CKD, regular hemodialysis and kidney transplantation are recommended.

Patients with a diagnosis of "chronic glomerulonephritis" should avoid hypothermia, carry out antibiotic therapy for chronic foci of infection, and follow a low-protein diet. Patients should be under the supervision of a nephrologist. The prognosis depends on the severity of the disease.

Read more about chronic nephritis in humans - what it is, on our website Dobrobut.com.