Glomerulonephropathy and Glomerulonephritis

The entire functioning of the kidneys depends on the glomeruli — the mass of tiny, semipermeable tubes deep in the kidneys through which the blood passes, filtering out water and soluble wastes, which then travel to the bladder and out of the body through the ureters and urethra.

These tubes are subject to injury from several sources including viruses, bacteria, certain immune diseases such as lupus, and other conditions such as hypertension.

Glomerulopathy is any disease of these glomeruli. Glomerulonephritis is the result of infection elsewhere in the body, such as strep throat/scarlet fever, upper respiratory infection or tonsillitis.

Symptoms of such kidney problems include fatigue, nausea, hematuria (pink or dark-colored urine due to red blood cells), proteinuria (bubbly urine from excess protein), hypertension (high blood pressure) and edema (fluid retention) causing swelling of face, hands and feet.