Medicine Essay Example: Nephritis

The kidneys are bean-shaped essential organs located under the ribs whose activities are quite crucial in the functioning of the body. The organs are involved in purifying the body contents. First, the two fist-sized organs are essential in removing impurities and extra water from the blood. In so doing, the organs serve to regulate blood pH. Research maintains it that they filter about 120 to 150 quarts of blood in a day. Notably, certain infections hamper the normal functi0oning of the kidney; an example is Nephritis. Therefore, an in-depth study of the condition would yield not only what to look for in a bid to identify the disease but also the preventive measures that one could take.

Ideally, Nephritis is the most threatening of all the kidney diseases. The condition describes inflammation of kidney tubules that can lead to kidney damage and eventually failure (Nephritis: Glomerulonephritis, 2015). There are two major types of nephritis, all which are considered based on the cause and intensity. The first class of the condition is known as the acute glomerulonephritis which often develops after a given serious infection such as strep throat and hepatitis (Dresden & Falck, 2016). In other cases, HIV infection can also result in the same. Notably, there is a more advanced condition of the prior and it is known as chronic glomerulonephritis (Berlin, 2016). Just as the former, the case is contracted after the attack by certain serious illnesses. In other cases, the condition is transmitted genetically; thus, F1 Generation acquires it from the parental generation. The case sets off quite slowly, and overtime develops into a series of illnesses which may result in kidney damage.

The other two cases of nephritis are known as IgA nephropathy and interstitial nephritis. The first condition is linked to diseases such as lupus and diabetes, which interfere with the normal functioning of the kidneys. Often the effect is felt when antibodies are deposited in the kidneys and results in inflammation. The latter case considerably develops more rapidly than all the other cases. It is due to an effect caused by medications on the regular functioning of the kidneys. Though more damage can result from the condition, recovery is possible if the quick medication is sought. In fact, one can heal from the disease in a matter of weeks. Therefore, an early diagnosis and management is crucial to evade a failure.

Just as mentioned above, the various types of nephritis are caused by different factors which are closely related. Though there are times when the causes are not entirely conceivable, the well-known agents that are linked with the disease include genetic links which result in inherited factors, sourced from certain infections such as HIV and immune system failures. The latter may not be quite easy to conclude on as at times it is the kidney failures that result in immune system failures. In other instances, the use of certain medications like antibiotics leads to nephritis. Therefore, the causes of nephritis can be attributed to any one of the mentioned causes, all of which is only determinable after a visit to the doctor.

The diagnosis of nephritis often begins with visible symptoms. Through the apparent signs a patient exhibits, medical practitioners can design the appropriate tests to carry out to ascertain the presence of nephritis infections. Notably, the condition is often mild during the very early stages and therefore, not easy to conceive. The most common symptom is the recorded change in urinating habits accompanied by the change in urine properties. The other relatively conclusive sign is body swelling in different parts such as toes and feet. Therefore, observing any of the above symptoms calls for an immediate visit to the doctor.

Often, the first tests prescribed by doctors in the treatment of nephritis involves the use of blood or urine. The presence of protein in the urine samples is an indication that the kidneys are not functioning quite well. The use of blood is dependent on the measure so creatinine levels in the blood which sheds light on kidney health. Noticeably, the most recommended test for a nephritis is the biopsy test in which a piece of the kidney is studied by the doctor to ascertain the possible condition (Kodner & Kudrimoti, 2003). After the conclusion that indeed one is infected with nephritis, the next course involves treatment which depends on the type of disease. Despite the different cases, the bottom line is that doctors prescribe the kind of remedy. Sometimes special procedures are used to remove excess fluids and dangerous proteins while in other cases medication is administered.

Considerably, the prevention of the condition is better than treating the case. For instance, the cost of acquiring medications is relatively high, and the pain that comes with an infection is way too severe to wait until it catches up with one. Since nephritis is a kidney disease, the prescribed ways of prevention are all a watch made on the kidney. The focus is, therefore, on the kind of lifestyle one leads (Rivera & Harper, 2012). Thus, it is essential for one to stick to a healthy diet, have an everyday exercise routine, and refrain from harmful behaviours such as smoking and drinking. Through the observance of the mentioned practices, we will reduce the cases of nephritis infections experienced.

References

Nephritis: Glomerulonephritis. (2015, April). Retrieved from http://kidney.org.au/cms_uploads/docs/nephritis-fact-sheet.pdf

Berlin, G. (2016). Nephrotic Syndrome. American Family Physician, 93(6). Retrieved December 5, 2017, from https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/0315/p479-s1.html

Dresden, D., & Falck, S. (2016, August 28). All You Need to Know About Nephritis. Retrieved December 5, 2017, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312579.php

Kodner, C., & Kudrimoti, A. (2003). Diagnosis and Management of Acute Interstitial Nephritis. American Family Physician, 67(12), 2527-2534. Retrieved December 5, 2017, from http://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0615/p2527.html

Rivera, J., O'hare, A., & Harper, M. (2012). Update on the Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. American Family Physician, 86(8), 749-754. Retrieved December 5, 2017, from https://www.aafp.org/afp/2012/1015/p749.html.