FOCAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Focal glomerulosclerosis is a medical condition characterized by scarring or sclerosis of the glomeruli, which are tiny blood vessels in the kidneys involved in the filtration of waste and excess fluid from the blood. It is a non-specific pathological finding that can be caused by a variety of underlying diseases or conditions.
In focal glomerulosclerosis, the scarring primarily affects only a portion (focal) of the glomeruli, rather than the entire kidney. This condition is often progressive, meaning that the scarring worsens over time and can lead to impaired kidney function and chronic kidney disease.
The exact cause of focal glomerulosclerosis is not fully understood, but it is believed to result from an abnormal immune response, genetic factors, or some environmental triggers. It can be associated with certain underlying conditions, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, HIV infection, sickle cell disease, or drug abuse.
Symptoms of focal glomerulosclerosis may include proteinuria (excessive protein in the urine), hematuria (blood in the urine), swelling or edema, high blood pressure, and decreased kidney function. However, some individuals may remain asymptomatic until the disease has progressed significantly.
Diagnosis of focal glomerulosclerosis typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, blood tests, urine tests, and a kidney biopsy to confirm the presence of glomerular scarring. Treatment options for focal glomerulosclerosis depend on the underlying cause and may include medications to control blood pressure, reduce proteinuria, and manage other associated conditions. In some cases, kidney transplantation may be necessary if the disease progresses to end-stage renal failure. Regular monitoring and management by a healthcare professional are crucial to mitigate the complications and optimize the patient's overall kidney health.
Common Misspellings for FOCAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS
- docal glomerulosclerosis
- cocal glomerulosclerosis
- vocal glomerulosclerosis
- gocal glomerulosclerosis
- tocal glomerulosclerosis
- rocal glomerulosclerosis
- fical glomerulosclerosis
- fkcal glomerulosclerosis
- flcal glomerulosclerosis
- fpcal glomerulosclerosis
- f0cal glomerulosclerosis
- f9cal glomerulosclerosis
- foxal glomerulosclerosis
- foval glomerulosclerosis
- fofal glomerulosclerosis
- fodal glomerulosclerosis
- foczl glomerulosclerosis
- focsl glomerulosclerosis
- focwl glomerulosclerosis
- focql glomerulosclerosis
Etymology of FOCAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS
The term "focal glomerulosclerosis" has a Greek and Latin etymology.
- "Focal" comes from the Latin word "focus" which means "hearth" or "fireplace". In medicine, it refers to a localized area or point.
- "Glomerulo-" originates from the Latin word "glomerulus" meaning "ball of yarn" or "a small ball". In the context of medicine, it refers to the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) in the kidney responsible for filtration.
- "Sclerosis" is derived from the Greek word "sklērōsis" which means "hardening". In medicine, it typically denotes the abnormal hardening of a tissue.
Therefore, "focal glomerulosclerosis" literally means the hardening or scarring of localized areas within the glomeruli (filtration units) in the kidney.
