GLOMERULAR NEPHRITIS Meaning and
Definition
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Glomerular nephritis, also known as glomerulonephritis, is a medical term used to describe a group of kidney disorders characterized by inflammation and damage to the glomeruli, which are tiny blood vessels responsible for filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood. In this condition, the immune system mistakenly attacks the glomeruli, resulting in their dysfunction and impairment of the kidneys' ability to effectively filter waste and regulate the balance of fluids and electrolytes in the body.
There are various causes of glomerular nephritis, including autoimmune disorders, infections (such as strep throat or hepatitis B and C), certain medications, and certain systemic diseases like lupus or vasculitis. The condition can manifest with different signs and symptoms, including blood in the urine, foamy urine, edema (swelling) in the feet, hands, and face, high blood pressure, fatigue, and reduced urine output.
The diagnosis of glomerular nephritis often involves a combination of physical examination, medical history review, blood tests, urine tests, and sometimes a kidney biopsy to determine the extent of damage. Treatment for glomerular nephritis aims to reduce inflammation, manage symptoms, and prevent further kidney damage. Depending on the cause and severity of the condition, treatment may involve medications like corticosteroids or immunosuppressants, blood pressure control, dietary modifications, and in severe cases, dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Early detection and appropriate management of glomerular nephritis are crucial to prevent kidney failure and preserve kidney function. Regular follow-ups with a nephrologist are essential to monitor the progression of the disease and optimize treatment.
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Chronic inflammation of the kidney involving chiefly the glomeruli.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GLOMERULAR NEPHRITIS
- flomerular nephritis
- vlomerular nephritis
- blomerular nephritis
- hlomerular nephritis
- ylomerular nephritis
- tlomerular nephritis
- gkomerular nephritis
- gpomerular nephritis
- goomerular nephritis
- glimerular nephritis
- glkmerular nephritis
- gllmerular nephritis
- glpmerular nephritis
- gl0merular nephritis
- gl9merular nephritis
- glonerular nephritis
- glokerular nephritis
- glojerular nephritis
- glomwrular nephritis
- glomsrular nephritis
Etymology of GLOMERULAR NEPHRITIS
The word "glomerular nephritis" can be broken down into its two components: "glomerular" and "nephritis".
- Glomerulus: The term "glomerulus" is derived from the Latin word "glomus", meaning a small ball or ball-like structure. It refers to the cluster of tiny blood vessels in the kidney that perform the initial filtration of blood to produce urine.
- Nephritis: The word "nephritis" comes from the Ancient Greek "nephros" meaning kidney, combined with the suffix "-itis", which indicates inflammation. Therefore, "nephritis" translates to "inflammation of the kidney".
When combined, "glomerular nephritis" specifically refers to the inflammation of the glomeruli in the kidney, typically caused by immune system abnormalities or infections.
