More Glomerular Diseases

Membranous nephropathy - This disease is also termed as membranous glomerulopathy.After diabetic nephropathy the second reason behind the occurrence of nephrotic syndrome (a high cholesterol,edema and proteinuria) amongst adults in the U.S is membranous glomerulopathy.A biopsy of the kidney is required for the treatment of this disease. The reports generally reveal an abnormal collection of immunoglobulin G along with complement C3. These elements are formed by the body’s immune system itself. The reasons behind the formation of such disease are unknown. Mainly 75% of these cases are idiopathic. The rest 25% are caused by other kind of diseases such as hepatitis B or C infection, systemic lupus erythematosus, or a certain kind of cancer. There are other medications used to treat Membranous nephropathy. These drugs are captopril or penicillamine or gold. It takes a lifetime for around 20 to 40 percent of the patients affected with membranous nephropathy to advance towards a kidney failure fully. But most of the patients get their disease reduced. Nearly 20 percent of the patients get well without having a proper mediation. That is why many times the doctors do not go for treatment with full energy. ACE inhibitors and ARBs are drugs used to check proteinuria. However more drugs and treatment is needed for controlling the level of blood pressure an occurrence of edema. Steroids help many patients but the chances of recovering through this medication are rare. Immunosuppressive medications are also very helpful for the patients.

Minimal change disease (MCD) - Minimal change disease is the way of treatment done when a patient has been diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. The biopsy report of the kidney shows very less or negative changes in the composition if the glomeruli. Even the tissues located around shows no change when they are observed under a powerful microscope. However presence of small drops of fatty elements can be seen. But there is seen no instances of kidney scarring. MCD affects a person at any age but mostly it is found amongst children. Even usage of steroids shows no reaction among few patients affected with nephrotic syndrome. A diet low on sodium is advised by the doctor for the patients in order to check the disease edema. Doctors may also advice a course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in order to check proteinuria. Patients along with a steroid – stopping MCD can be allowed to use ACE inhibitors and ARBs for controlling the effects of proteinuria.If doses of steroids given to the patients are large and is applied for a long time span then the patients might react to such treatment. Patients will also respond if a combination of drugs like steroids and immunosuppressant medicines are given. These are cyclosporine, chlorambucil or cyclophosphamide.

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