~~Glomerulonephritis~~
| Characterized | Inflammation of the glomeruli |
| Cause | -Impaired immune system -large particles in the blood stream |
| Symptoms | -Blood in the urine -swelling of the body tissues -protein in the urine |
| Diagnosis | Urine tests |
| Treatment | -special diet -immunosuppresant drugs -plasmapheresis |
~~"This condition may occur when the body’s immune system is impaired.
Antibodies and other substances form large particles in the bloodstream that
become trapped in the glomeruli. This causes inflammation and prevents the
glomeruli from working properly. Symptoms may include blood in the urine,
swelling of body tissues, and the presence of protein in the urine, as
determined by laboratory tests. Glomerulonephritis often clears up without
treatment. When treatment is necessary, it may include a special diet,
immunosuppressant drugs, or plasmapheresis, a procedure that removes the portion
of the blood that contains antibodies"
"Kidney". Microsoft Encarta. © 1993-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights
reserved.
