MEMBRANOUS GLOMERULONEPHRITIS Meaning and
Definition
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Membranous glomerulonephritis (also referred to as membranous nephropathy) is a medical condition characterized by inflammation and dysfunction of the glomeruli in the kidneys. The glomeruli are tiny structures responsible for filtering waste materials and excess fluids from the blood to form urine.
In membranous glomerulonephritis, the inflammation causes the membranes surrounding the glomeruli to become thickened and damaged. This alteration impairs the normal filtration process, leading to the presence of proteins and other substances in the urine that would typically be retained in the bloodstream.
The condition can manifest in both primary and secondary forms. Primary membranous glomerulonephritis occurs when the disease develops independently without any identifiable underlying cause, while secondary membranous glomerulonephritis is associated with other health conditions, such as autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus), infections (e.g., hepatitis B), or exposure to certain medications or toxins.
Symptoms of membranous glomerulonephritis may include fatigue, swelling (edema) in the extremities, foamy urine due to increased protein levels, and elevated blood pressure. As the disease progresses, kidney function can decline, leading to complications such as fluid retention, electrolyte imbalances, and eventually chronic kidney disease.
Treatment options for membranous glomerulonephritis typically involve addressing the underlying cause if known and managing symptoms to slow down kidney damage. Medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may be prescribed to control blood pressure and reduce protein leakage. In some cases, immunosuppressive drugs or other targeted therapies may be recommended to modulate the immune response and alleviate inflammation.
Common Misspellings for MEMBRANOUS GLOMERULONEPHRITIS
- nembranous glomerulonephritis
- kembranous glomerulonephritis
- jembranous glomerulonephritis
- mwmbranous glomerulonephritis
- msmbranous glomerulonephritis
- mdmbranous glomerulonephritis
- mrmbranous glomerulonephritis
- m4mbranous glomerulonephritis
- m3mbranous glomerulonephritis
- menbranous glomerulonephritis
- mekbranous glomerulonephritis
- mejbranous glomerulonephritis
- memvranous glomerulonephritis
- memnranous glomerulonephritis
- memhranous glomerulonephritis
- memgranous glomerulonephritis
- membeanous glomerulonephritis
- membdanous glomerulonephritis
- membfanous glomerulonephritis
- membtanous glomerulonephritis
Etymology of MEMBRANOUS GLOMERULONEPHRITIS
The word "membranous" in "Membranous Glomerulonephritis" comes from the Latin word "membrana", meaning "membrane". It describes the characteristic appearance of the glomeruli (tiny units in the kidneys responsible for filtering blood) in this condition, where there is thickening of the membrane surrounding the glomerulus.
"Glomerulonephritis" is a combination of two Greek words: "glomerulos", meaning "little ball" (referring to the shape of the glomeruli), and "nephros", meaning "kidney". "Nephritis" denotes an inflammation of the kidney.
Therefore, "Membranous Glomerulonephritis" describes a condition characterized by inflammation and thickening of the membrane surrounding the glomeruli in the kidneys.
