The main differences between pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis: different frequency of urination, the presence of edema or their absence, the spread of inflammation to nearby tissues (with pyelonephritis).
There are other features that allow you to distinguish one disease from another. Glomerulonephritis passes with obvious changes in the blood. For this reason, the general condition of the patient is rapidly aggravated. Metabolic processes in the body are disturbed, hypertension and modifications in the myocardium begin. For this reason, glomerulonephritis may be accompanied by wheezing in the lungs and shortness of breath.
Another characteristic feature that distinguishes acute pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis in children and adults is the pathology of the blood circulation of the brain, which can cause swelling. The accumulation of toxic elements in tissues often leads to psychological pathologies. Electrolyte imbalance, increased intracranial pressure - all these are the results that cannot be excluded in renal pathology.
Causes of glomerulonephritis
Both diseases are inflammatoryprocesses and damage the kidneys. However, in order to understand their differences, it is necessary to understand in more detail the causes of both ailments. Glomerulonephritis is also called glomerular nephritis because it causes inflammation of the glomeruli (glomeruli) of the kidneys. This leads to swelling, increased blood pressure and reduced urine output.
The reason for all these troubles is an autoimmune or infectious-allergic reaction. The fact is that the disease often occurs after a streptococcal infection. Streptococcus and renal tissue antigens are similar in structure. As a result, antibodies produced by the immune system fight not only microbes, but also kidney cells. Antibodies settle on the membrane of the renal glomeruli, which leads to disruption of microcirculation and normal functioning of the organ.
What affects the appearance of the disease?
Provoke an attack of the immune system on glomeruli can also:
- viruses;
- parasites;
- fungus;
- food and household allergens;
- drugs (antibiotics, sulfonamides);
- sera and vaccines.
The clinical picture of the disease unfolds 2-4 weeks after streptococcal tonsillitis or another trigger. It is this amount of time that the immune system needs to form and accumulate immune complexes. The disease can begin acutely or proceed completely unnoticed.
Causes of pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis is an inflammatory lesion of the kidneys.structures of bacterial origin, accompanied by damage to the renal calyx and pelvis (pyelitis), as well as the kidney parenchyma. May occur in the right, left, or both kidneys.
Provoke pyelonephritis:
- frequent hypothermia;
- anatomical features of the kidneys;
- foci of chronic inflammation in the body;
- urolithiasis;
- diabetes mellitus;
- immunodeficiency states;
- prostate adenoma in men.
Pathogenic microorganisms enter the kidneys via an ascending route in the presence of inflammation in the genitourinary system, as well as from other infectious foci with blood and lymph flow.
Symptoms
Glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis are diseases that manifest themselves in both children and adults. These pathologies are more often observed in women, especially during gestation. Kidney pathologies may have different severity of symptoms depending on the spread and localization of the inflammation process, the following clinical manifestations may be observed:
- bloody discharge in urine;
- impaired urine outflow;
- manifestation of a feeling of thirst;
- increase in subfebrile body temperature;
- spontaneous loss of appetite;
- rapid weight gain;
- a sharp increase in blood pressure;
- pain in the lumbar spine;
- increased perspiration;
- chronic malaise;
- pale skin;
- water imbalance;
- appearance of symptoms of tachycardia;
- endotoxic shock.
In the chronic course of diseases, all of the listed symptoms can appear gradually. However, it should also be noted that if any of the above manifestations of the disease appear, you should immediately consult a doctor for differential diagnosis of the patient's condition and its further treatment.
Diagnosis
For differential. diagnosis of pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis, the patient's complaints are clarified, an anamnesis is compiled, an examination, laboratory-instrumental and morphological methods of study are performed. Glomerulonephritis is indicated by recent tonsillitis, vaccination, allergic diseases, the fact of illness in close relatives.
Diagnosis of glomerulonephritis
When glomerulonephritis affects two kidneys, for this reason, the pain syndrome is equally manifested on both sides. Since the destruction of the vascular glomeruli occurs, the patient notes a change in the color of urine from pink to rusty. In the general analysis of urine, the following changes are traced:
- excretion (erythrocytes in urine, normally absent);
- proteinuria (protein in the urine);
- decreased urine density (reduced kidney concentration).
On ultrasound, computed and magnetic resonance imaging in the differential diagnosis of pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis, changes in the kidney parenchyma are detected. Exactlythe diagnosis can be established only after a morphological examination. In this case, a kidney biopsy is taken and its cortical and medulla are examined. Based on this study, you can find out the prognosis of the disease.
Diagnosis of pyelonephritis
Since pyelonephritis affects one kidney more, the pain is localized distinctly to the right or left. The disease is accompanied by severe intoxication of the body (fever). Urine becomes cloudy, has a fetid odor due to the presence of microorganisms in it. In the general analysis of urine, there are leukocytes, bacteriuria (a huge amount of bacteria) is noted. Ultrasound demonstrates enlargement of the pelvicalyceal system. In chronic pyelonephritis with frequent exacerbations, kidney failure develops over time.
Medicated treatment
Drug treatment for acute and chronic pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis and cystitis helps to improve the patient's condition as quickly as possible. Antibiotics are considered the most effective drugs. They fight a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. The following drugs are considered the most effective:
- "Amoxil";
- "Ofloxacin";
- "Ceftriaxone".
If the disease is at an early stage, the pills give a good result. If they stop helping the patient, it is necessary to switch to antibacterial agents that are administered intravenously. The procedure is carried out by a doctor, controlling urine tests.
What to look forattention when choosing drugs?
When choosing drugs, you need to buy drugs that contain ibuprofen, diclofenac and aspirin. The first component quickly lowers the temperature, has an analgesic effect.
With the help of antihistamines, you can quickly remove the swelling of the kidneys, medicines of this type cope well with inflammation and help block the development of an allergic reaction.
To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, it is necessary to approach therapy in a complex way, combining two types of drugs. Additionally, it is recommended to take diuretics, the main task of which is to increase urination and the amount of urine excreted. People who suffer from urolithiasis should take such medicines with great care and only under the supervision of a doctor.
With glomerulonephritis, severe back pain often appears, blood pressure rises, so the patient needs to take exactly those drugs that quickly and effectively eliminate pain, reduce swelling, and lower blood pressure. Often, doctors prescribe combined drugs that combine antibacterial and diuretic substances. In this way, treatment can be accelerated and the risk of side effects reduced.
Folk treatment
In the treatment of pyelonephritis, which can damage both one and two kidneys, and glomerulonephritis, folk remedies have a good effect. To improve the condition of the kidneys during the inflammatory process, you need to clean one largeonion, bake it in the oven and eat it in the morning before breakfast.
A good result can be achieved with the help of horsetail. A tablespoon of crushed plants is poured into 250 ml of hot water. Horsetail should be infused for 2-3 hours. The infusion during this time is cooled, it is filtered and consumed in a tablespoon six times a day. Horsetail helps to reduce inflammation and swelling, pain. Grass improves metabolic processes, strengthens the immune system. In the acute stage of glomerulonephritis, it is not recommended to take this remedy.
Positive dynamics in treatment can be achieved with the help of the following plants:
- dioecious nettle;
- yarrow;
- birch;
- bedstraw.
If the patient has blood in the urine, it is necessary to use a decoction of stinging nettle and yarrow. The crushed leaves of the plant are mixed in equal proportions. It will take 1 tbsp. l. mixture, which is poured with boiling water and infused for 20 minutes. Take the medicine one dessert spoon 4-5 times a day on an empty stomach.
Regular tea can be replaced with birch leaves. In winter, the leaves of the plant can be found in the pharmacy.
In case of kidney disease and inflammation, it is recommended to use the usual bedstraw. For this, 3 tbsp. l. crushed plant pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and leave for about 30 minutes. To do this, you can use a regular container or a thermos. The drink is drunk before meals 3-4 times a day. In addition, other herbs, such as St. John's wort andstring, chicory and burdock, chamomile, wormwood, coltsfoot.
Prevention
Glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis are kidney diseases of various etiologies. In order for these diseases not to develop again, it is necessary to exclude all adverse factors. Prevention of glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis is to follow the following recommendations:
- It is necessary to adhere to a dietary diet, exclude spicy foods, s alty, fatty, carbonated drinks and water, chips and crackers from the diet.
- All urological diseases should be treated in a timely manner.
- Avoid hypothermia in the lumbar spine.
- Add a variety of greens to your food.
- Use vitamin and mineral supplements to boost immunity.
- Personal hygiene must be practiced daily.
- Should have annual check-ups for disease control.
- It is worth drinking enough fluids to improve the outflow of urine.
- Systematization of physical activity.
- Provide a comfortable emotional and psychological climate.
- Alcoholic and low alcohol drinks should not be consumed.
If you follow all the above recommendations, you will be able to prevent the development of recurrence of the disease.
