Exudative nephritis (ɛkˈsudəɪtɪv nɛˈfraɪtɪs) is a medical condition characterized by inflammation and excess fluid secretion in the kidneys. The word "exudative" is pronounced with stress on the second syllable (ɛk-SOO-də-tiv) and contains a silent "e". "Nephritis" is pronounced with stress on the first syllable (nɛˈfraɪtɪs), with a "ph" that sounds like "f." The word's spelling conforms to the International Phonetic Alphabet, which uses symbols to represent the sounds of speech in different languages. Correct spelling of medical terms is crucial to ensure effective medical communication and treatment.
Exudative nephritis is a medical condition characterized by inflammation and increased permeability of the glomerulus, the filtering unit of the kidneys. This condition leads to the abnormal secretion of blood plasma proteins, primarily albumin, into the urine. The prefix "exudative" refers to the leakage or exudation of fluid, in this case, proteins, from the glomeruli.
The nephritis component in the term signifies the inflammation of the nephrons, which are the functional and structural units of the kidneys responsible for filtering blood and producing urine. The inflammation of the glomerular capillaries disrupts the normal filtration function, leading to proteinuria (presence of protein in the urine) and oliguria (reduced urine output).
Exudative nephritis can be caused by various factors, including autoimmune disorders, infections, exposure to toxins or certain medications, and systemic diseases such as lupus or diabetes. The condition often presents with symptoms such as swelling (edema) in the lower extremities, foamy urine, high blood pressure, and decreased kidney function. If left untreated, it can progress to renal failure.
The diagnosis of exudative nephritis typically involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Treatment aims to address the underlying cause and manage symptoms. This may involve the use of immunosuppressive medications, antibiotics (if an infection is the cause), diuretics to alleviate edema, and lifestyle modifications like a low-sodium diet.
Overall, exudative nephritis refers to an inflammatory condition that affects the glomeruli in the kidneys, leading to the abnormal excretion of proteins in the urine, potentially causing kidney dysfunction if not properly managed.
Inflammation of the kidneys in which there is exudation of the serum and usually also of the formed elements of the blood.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "exudative nephritis" can be broken down into its constituent parts to understand its etymology:
1. "Exudative": This word comes from the Latin term "exudare", which means "to exude" or "to sweat out". In medical terminology, "exudate" refers to fluid or cells that have escaped from blood vessels and entered tissues, often due to an inflammatory response.
2. "Nephritis": This word is derived from the Greek term "nephros", meaning "kidney", and the suffix "-itis", which indicates inflammation. Nephritis refers to inflammation of the kidneys.
Therefore, "exudative nephritis" refers to a condition characterized by the inflammation of the kidneys with the presence of exudate or fluid containing cells that has escaped from blood vessels.