There are a number of different nephritic syndrome causes, including viral infections, hepatitis B, mumps, chickenpox, glandular fever, and vasculitis. Systemic diseases like lupus, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and Goodpasture’s syndrome can also cause the condition. Symptoms of nephritic syndrome can also be due to abdominal abscesses, which can occur in the kidneys or any other organ.
Blood tests are also a key step in diagnosing nephritic syndrome. Blood tests can reveal whether you have an underlying systemic illness or whether your kidneys are functioning normally. The process of taking a sample of your blood at your health care provider’s office and sending it to a lab can help your physician determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. Some conditions can mimic the symptoms of nephritic syndrome, so your doctor may recommend a kidney biopsy to make sure.
Diagnosis of nephritic syndrome depends on the severity of your symptoms. Severe oliguria and azotemia are associated with a poor prognosis. A renal biopsy may reveal inflammatory lesions with white blood cells in the glomeruli. A multidisciplinary team of doctors should monitor your patient closely to ensure the condition does not progress. Acute decrease in GFR may also lead to metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics are also among the known nephritic syndrome causes. Certain infections may increase the risk. When the kidneys cannot filter blood, the proteins in the blood are lost in the urine. The loss of these proteins increases the risk of blood clots. Furthermore, the liver produces more protein than normal, resulting in elevated cholesterol. As a result, you need to avoid excess sodium and fluid intake.
