Description, causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment of chronic nephritis
Kidneys are one of the most important organs of the excretory system of man. In the event that the normal activity of this filtration apparatus is disrupted, it is fraught with self-poisoning of the body, development of edema, high blood pressure, metabolic disorders.
Kidney structure
Kidneys in the body are two, in appearance they resemble beans and are located in the retroperitoneal space on both sides of the spine at the waist level. Everyone who has at least once undergone an inflammatory disease of the excretory system, and who knows the symptoms of chronic nephritis, perfectly represents where they are. The size of the kidneys is small, and the mass does not exceed 200 g. The organ consists of two layers: outer( cortical) and internal( cerebral).On the side of the spine, the kidney connects with the blood vessels, there is also a special cavity - the renal pelvis, from which the ureter emerges.
The structure of these organs is very complex and is studied at a microscopic level. The main structural and working element of the kidneys is known - nephron, located in the cortical layer and consisting of glomeruli of blood capillaries enclosed in capsules and tubules. Capillaries are formed as a result of branching of the renal artery, and I must say, the pressure in it is very high. To think: in 4-5 minutes all the blood in the human body can pass through the kidneys, and the total length of the kidney canal reaches 100 km.
Kidney function
The number of nephrons in the kidneys is impressive: they are one million in each. Through the glomeruli of these structural units, about 200 liters of primary urine are filtered per day, which is similar in composition to blood plasma, only devoid of proteins and contains many substances necessary for the body. In the convoluted tubules, there is a reverse absorption in the blood of most substances, as well as secretion, that is, the release of a number of substances from the blood into the urine. The final amount of urine is already 1.7-2 liters. It enters the renal pelvis and bladder. The work of the kidneys constantly changes depending on the conditions of the external and internal environment and is regulated by the central nervous system.
In addition to the excretory function, the kidneys are still endocrine and metabolic, and also maintain a stable water-salt and acid-base balance, take an active part in the blood, repeatedly through the day pumping through itself all the blood in the human body and clearing it of unnecessary substances.
Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is characterized by some common symptoms. Violations of their work are signaled by pain localized in the lumbar region, with one or both sides. Edema on the face and extremities also indicate a violation of the functions of these organs. Soreness and increased frequency of urination, a change in the color of urine, the presence of blood in it - these symptoms clearly indicate that the kidneys are broken. Inflammatory diseases of these organs are often accompanied by an increase in body temperature and some common symptoms: increased fatigue, a discoloration of the skin, poor appetite and others.
Nephrites are not one but a group of diseases that combine the presence of an inflammatory process in the tissues of the kidneys. By the nature of the current distinguish between acute and chronic nephritis. They also differ due to inflammation and affected areas of the kidneys. Inflammation can spread to the entire kidney( diffuse form), and can affect only its honor( foci form).In acute forms, the symptoms are pronounced, the body temperature is greatly increased, but chronic nephritis is a disease that can be asymptomatic.
The main types of nephritis. Pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis is the most common inflammatory disease of the kidneys, and is caused by a bacterial infection that enters the kidneys, either with blood flow or urinary tract. In this case, the bowel-locomotor system of the kidney is affected. Suffer from chronic jade of this species can those who at one time suffered an acute phase of the disease and did not bring his treatment to an end. Such people should pay more attention to their condition: to properly build a diet, avoid hypothermia. The future mothers are at risk of getting pyelonephritis, as the growing fetus squeezes the ureters.
Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis is also called glomerular nephritis. It is based on the immune inflammation of the glomerulus of nephrons, which arises under the action of the body's own antibodies, but the disease can also be allergic after the transmitted infections of both viral and bacterial nature. The action of toxic substances( alcohol, drugs, mercury) can also be the cause of glomerulonephritis.
It has already been mentioned that it is the glomeruli that act as filters in the body. If their proper work is disturbed, the substances necessary for the body begin to enter the urine, and the decay products cease to be released from it. A person suffers from general weakness, low back pain, nausea, swelling, shortness of breath and urination disorders. A feature of chronic nephritis of this type is the alternation of periods of remission with episodes of exacerbation of symptoms. The disease in the absence of adequate treatment can result in chronic renal failure.
Interstitial nephritis
Interstitial nephritis is a disease in which the destruction of the intermediate tissue and nephron tubules occurs. This happens as a result of the use of drugs, in particular antibiotics and diuretics, as well as anti-inflammatory drugs, against a background of some bacterial and viral infections, which in this case serve not as a cause, but as a catalyst provoking a disease factor. Even among the causes of this disease are poisoning by toxins and damage from the effects of ionizing radiation. Since interstitial nephritis has a disturbed function of the tubules, and inflammation does not spread to the renal pelvis, this pathology is also called tubulointerstitial nephritis.
It should be noted that the described form of the disease has a peculiarity to proceed implicitly until it passes into chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis. Developing pathological process eventually leads to the appearance of symptoms of intoxication of the body. It is difficult enough to diagnose this kind of chronic nephritis. Patients complain of dry mouth, constant thirst, but urinary disorders, which are so characteristic of other kidney diseases, can not be observed at the initial stage, pains in the lower back are poorly expressed, but the occurrence of an allergic rash on the body is not uncommon. If chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis is an unspecified diagnosis, then a diagnostic test, such as a kidney biopsy, can reliably verify the presence or absence of this disease.
Treatment of chronic nephritis
Chronic kidney nephritis is almost always the result of an incomplete acute nephritis. Sometimes, though the chronic form can develop without an acute stage in the past, but then, most likely, there were some other infectious diseases. With chronic kidney disease, they undergo anatomical changes, up to the wrinkling of the organs.
Treatment of chronic nephritis, depends, of course, on the type of disease. But there are a number of general rules. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate foci of infections in the body with the help of medications. You should avoid physical exertion, stress, hypothermia. In the period of exacerbations, a strict bed rest is needed. Allowed the appointment of diuretics, hormonal therapy. However, medicines should be prescribed only by a doctor. Problems with the kidneys are too serious to allow oneself to engage in self-medication.
The diet in the treatment of kidney disease is aimed at not overloading the diseased organ and improving the excretion of nitrogenous substances from the body, but at the same time the food should be rich in vitamins. The consumption of salt is necessarily limited or eliminated altogether. It is recommended to boil or bake meat and fish, but do not fry. Use of liquid doctors advise to reduce to 1 liter per day. Alcohol, chocolate, coffee, spicy seasonings are prohibited.
Prophylaxis of
In chronic nephritis, prevention is reduced to avoiding the exacerbation of the disease by all means. And for this it is recommended to be protected from infections, hypothermia and not to burden the organism with intensive physical loads. In addition, any medication, including anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics, should be used with caution, only on indications and under the supervision of a doctor.