FOCAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSES Meaning and
Definition
-
Focal glomerulosclerosis is a medical condition characterized by scarring or hardening (sclerosis) of certain areas (focal) within the filtering units of the kidneys called glomeruli. The glomeruli are responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and regulating fluid balance. In focal glomerulosclerosis, these clusters of tiny blood vessels within the kidneys become damaged and scarred, leading to impaired kidney function.
This condition can have various causes, including underlying medical conditions, genetic factors, and certain infections or drug use. It is also commonly associated with primary or idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), which refers to scarring in specific segments of glomeruli.
Symptoms of focal glomerulosclerosis may include proteinuria (excessive protein in the urine), hematuria (blood in the urine), high blood pressure, swelling or edema in the legs and ankles, and decreased kidney function. However, these symptoms can vary among individuals, and some cases may be asymptomatic.
Diagnosis of focal glomerulosclerosis often involves a combination of medical history evaluation, physical examination, laboratory tests such as urine and blood tests, and imaging tests like renal ultrasound or biopsy.
Treatment approaches for focal glomerulosclerosis usually aim to manage the underlying cause, if possible, and alleviate symptoms. This may include medications to control high blood pressure and reduce proteinuria, dietary changes to reduce the workload on the kidneys, and, in certain cases, immunosuppressive therapy. In severe cases, where kidney function significantly declines, dialysis or kidney transplantation may be necessary. Regular monitoring and follow-up with a healthcare professional are essential to manage this condition effectively.
Common Misspellings for FOCAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSES
- docal glomeruloscleroses
- cocal glomeruloscleroses
- vocal glomeruloscleroses
- gocal glomeruloscleroses
- tocal glomeruloscleroses
- rocal glomeruloscleroses
- fical glomeruloscleroses
- fkcal glomeruloscleroses
- flcal glomeruloscleroses
- fpcal glomeruloscleroses
- f0cal glomeruloscleroses
- f9cal glomeruloscleroses
- foxal glomeruloscleroses
- foval glomeruloscleroses
- fofal glomeruloscleroses
- fodal glomeruloscleroses
- foczl glomeruloscleroses
- focsl glomeruloscleroses
- focwl glomeruloscleroses
- focql glomeruloscleroses
Etymology of FOCAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSES
The term "Focal Glomerulosclerosis" is derived from the combination of three different words: "focal", "glomerulo-" and "sclerosis".
1. "Focal" comes from the Latin word "focus", which means "hearth" or "center". In medical terminology, "focal" refers to a localized or limited area of a tissue or organ.
2. "Glomerulo-" is derived from the Latin word "glomerulus", which means "little ball". It refers to the small ball-shaped network of capillaries found in the kidney, where the process of filtration of blood occurs.
3. "Sclerosis" is derived from the ancient Greek word "sklērōsis", which means "hardening" or "thickening". In medical terms, "sclerosis" refers to the formation of scar tissue or fibrosis.
