Can acute nephritis be cured completely?

Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
Updated on December 03, 2024
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The main cause of acute nephritis is related to streptococcal infections. Many patients with acute nephritis often have a history of infections in the throat, upper respiratory tract, or skin before the onset of the disease. Therefore, once acute nephritis occurs, patients often exhibit hematuria, which can be either gross hematuria or microscopic hematuria. Severe cases of acute nephritis may also show swelling of the eyelids and face, as well as the presence of mild to moderate urinary protein. In addition, some severe cases of acute nephritis also show elevated blood pressure, decreased renal function, and overall poor outcomes from acute nephritis. Currently, there are no specific treatments available; the main approach is bed rest and symptomatic treatment. For example, diuretics can be used if there is edema, and antihypertensive drugs can be used if there is a need to lower blood pressure. If an infection still exists, antibiotics are used for treatment. With proper and standardized treatment, the vast majority of acute nephritis cases can be completely cured without recurrence.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Will acute nephritis cause facial swelling?

Acute nephritis can also cause facial swelling in patients. The pathological damage in patients with acute nephritis is the diffuse proliferation of glomerular cells, which reduces the glomeruli's ability to filter blood. As a result, patients may experience proteinuria and hematuria. Decreased kidney function in water excretion can lead to water accumulation in the body, causing edema in the lower limbs or facial area. The increase in urinary protein can also increase vascular permeability and decrease plasma osmotic pressure, leading to the movement of water outside the blood vessels. These factors can all cause edema. In the body, water tends to accumulate in areas where tissues are looser, such as the facial area. Thus, it is possible for patients with acute nephritis to experience facial swelling.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Is acute nephritis prone to "excessive internal heat"?

Acute nephritis indeed tends to cause "fire-up," which refers to the viral infection in patients. Typically, the appearance of herpes on the upper lip is colloquially known as "fire-up," but in reality, this is an active manifestation of the herpes virus when the body's immune capacity is low. The human body often carries this virus, and symptoms appear when immunity is low. In the state of acute nephritis, it is easy to result in reduced immunity in patients, thus activating the dormant virus in the body, causing herpes in corresponding areas including the upper lip and corners of the mouth.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Does acute nephritis easily lead to excessive internal heat?

What is referred to as "getting heated" generally refers to the appearance of herpes around the mouth. In fact, most people carry the herpes virus, which typically does not flare up under normal circumstances. However, when the body's immune system is weakened, the virus can become active. For example, factors like long-term fatigue, lack of sleep, or other illnesses can lead to the reemergence of these sores. They can also appear during acute nephritis, as this condition involves kidney abnormalities or possible symptoms like blood and protein in the urine. Some patients may also experience reduced urine output and acute kidney failure. During acute kidney failure, the immune system is often weakened, which can lead to the reappearance of herpes around the mouth, commonly known as "getting heated."

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Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
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Acute nephritis clinical manifestations

Acute nephritis is commonly seen in pediatric patients. One to three weeks before the onset of acute nephritis, infections often occur in the throat, upper respiratory tract, and skin. Once acute nephritis occurs, the typical clinical manifestations of the patient are hematuria, which can be gross hematuria or microscopic hematuria. There is also edema, especially noticeable swelling of the eyelids and face after getting up in the morning. Due to the edema and reduced urine output, the patient often experiences a significant increase in blood pressure. Of course, in addition to these clinical manifestations, the patient may also experience irritability, back pain, nausea, loss of appetite, and poor spirit. Patients with acute nephritis can also experience severe complications, such as hypertensive encephalopathy, acute heart failure, acute renal failure, etc. Therefore, acute nephritis must be given sufficient attention and actively treated.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Symptoms of acute nephritis recurrence

When acute nephritis recurs, patients may experience a series of symptoms similar to those at the onset of the disease. Patients may present with hematuria, including visible hematuria in some cases. Due to the presence of a significant amount of protein in the urine, patients may develop edema in parts like the lower limbs and eyelids, and in severe cases, edema can become generalized. The presence of protein in urine also leads to increased urine foam. Some patients may experience acute renal failure, a dramatic decrease in urine output, and gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea and vomiting. Patients may also develop hypertension and heart failure, among other conditions.