Glomerulonephritis

What is Glomerulonephritis?

Glomerulonephritis occurs when the kidneys’ filters (glomeruli) become inflamed and scarred. The damage slowly reduces the kidneys’ ability to remove waste and excess fluid from the blood to make urine.

Glomerulonephritis can have several causes, including autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus and vascular diseases including granulomatosis with polyangiitis, as well was many others. If there is concern for glomerulonephritis, your nephrologist may recommend a kidney biopsy to identify the underlying cause and establish an appropriate treatment plan. Often times, treatments may include suppressing the immune system to prevent further damage to the kidney. During a kidney biopsy, a small tissue sample is taken from the kidney for microscopic examination.

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UR Medicine's Treatments for Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis can be serious and life threatening and requires prompt evaluation and treatment to reduce the risk for progressive kidney disease.

Treatments options may include any of the following:

Blood pressure lowering therapy to lower pressure in and around the kidneys
Steroids to decrease inflammation and scar tissue formation
Diuretics (water pills) to aid in excess fluid excretion
Immunosuppressive agents such as chemotherapy

If kidney disease progresses despite appropriate treatment, dialysis may become necessary. It’s crucial to establish care with a nephrologist promptly, as early intervention can improve kidney function and reduce the risk of disease progression.

What Sets Us Apart?

U.S. News & World Reports has identified us as one of the top adult nephrology (kidney) care centers in the country.

Our collaborative approach brings a wide range of expertise and different perspectives to patient care, with specialists in cardiology, endocrinology, rheumatology, transplant surgery, and urology working together to develop the best treatments for each patient.

Because we’re an academic medical center, our physicians also lead important research studies, with significant grants from the National Institutes of Health and industry-sponsored clinical trials.