Glomerulonephritis: What You Need to Know

Overview

Glomerulonephritis (GN for short) is a group of conditions that cause inflammation and damage to the glomeruli — the tiny, delicate filters in your kidneys that remove waste and excess fluid from your blood to make urine. When glomeruli are damaged, they can’t filter properly, leading to a buildup of waste and fluid in your body, and can cause kidney failure if left untreated. GN can come on suddenly (acute) or develop slowly over months or years (chronic).

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on whether GN is acute or chronic, and how severe the damage is. Some people have no obvious symptoms early on, and the condition is only found during routine blood or urine tests. Common symptoms include:

• Swelling (edema) in the face (especially around the eyes), legs, ankles, or feet
• Foamy or bubbly urine (a sign of protein leaking into urine, called proteinuria)
• Blood in the urine (hematuria), which may make urine look pink, brown, or tea-colored
• Hard-to-control high blood pressure
• Decreased urine output
• Fatigue, nausea, or loss of appetite
• Joint pain or muscle aches (often linked to underlying autoimmune conditions)

Causes & Risk Factors

GN has many possible causes, and sometimes the exact cause is unknown (called idiopathic GN). Common causes include:

• Infections: Post-streptococcal GN develops 1–3 weeks after a strep throat or skin infection; other infections like HIV, hepatitis B/C, or endocarditis (heart valve infection) can also trigger GN
• Autoimmune diseases: Lupus (lupus nephritis), IgA nephropathy (Berger disease), and ANCA-associated vasculitis are common autoimmune causes
• Other chronic conditions: Diabetes (diabetic nephropathy), long-term high blood pressure, and some cancers can damage glomeruli over time
• Medications and toxins: Long-term use of high-dose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, like ibuprofen), certain antibiotics, or exposure to heavy metals can cause GN in rare cases
• Genetic factors: Some types of GN, like Alport syndrome, run in families

Diagnosis

If your doctor suspects GN, they will order a series of tests to check your kidney function and identify the underlying cause. Common diagnostic steps include:

Treatment & Management

Treatment is tailored to the type of GN, severity of damage, and underlying cause. The main goals are to slow kidney damage, control symptoms, and treat root causes when possible. Common approaches include:

• Treating underlying causes: Antibiotics for infection-related GN; immunosuppressive medications (like corticosteroids) for autoimmune-related GN to reduce inflammation
• Blood pressure control: ACE inhibitors or ARBs lower blood pressure and reduce protein leakage in the kidneys, slowing damage
• Dietary changes: A renal dietitian may recommend limiting salt, protein, and potassium to reduce kidney workload
• Fluid management: Limiting fluid intake if you have severe swelling to avoid excess fluid buildup
• Advanced care: Dialysis or kidney transplant for end-stage kidney disease (when kidneys no longer work enough to sustain life)

Living With It

Many people with mild or well-controlled GN can live full, active lives with consistent medical care and healthy lifestyle adjustments. Working closely with your nephrologist (kidney specialist) is key to managing the condition long-term, and avoiding medications that can harm your kidneys (like high-dose NSAIDs) unless your doctor says they are safe.