glomerulosclerosis

Glomerulosclerosis

Glomerulosclerosis is the hardening of the glomeruli in the kidney, which hinders the kidneys' ability to properly filter blood and results in kidney disease. It is a general term to describe scarring of the kidneys' glomeruli, the tiny blood vessels that serve as the functional units in the kidney for filtration of the blood. Both children and adults can develop glomerulosclerosis which can arise from different kidney conditions. Nodular glomerulosclerosis is one frequently encountered type of glomerulosclerosis and is most commonly caused by diabetes. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is another type of glomerulosclerosis and can result from malignancies, drugs, infections, or genetic inheritance, though it may also occur without an identifiable cause. Proteinuria (large amounts of protein in the urine) is the major sign of glomerulosclerosis. Scarring disturbs the filtering process of the kidneys and allows protein to leak from the blood into the urine. Symptoms of glomerulosclerosis may include swelling, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, itchy skin, poor appetite, or shortness breath, among others. A kidney biopsy (the sampling of a tiny part of the kidney with a needle) may be necessary to determine whether a patient has glomerulosclerosis or another kidney problem. Kidney biopsy of a patient with glomerulosclerosis may show glomerular scarring and podocyte damage, as well as more specific findings associated with each type of glomerulosclerosis. Treatment of glomerulosclerosis depends on the type, but may include medications such as antihypertensives, steroids,...