Glomerular disease: Expert kidney disease care

Glomerular disease refers to a group of conditions that affect small blood vessels and filter units in your kidneys. Kidneys filter out waste and extra fluids from your blood, which are expelled when you urinate. The actual cleaning process of your blood happens inside small blood vessels, called glomeruli, and each kidney has about one million of them.

Glomerular disease occurs when the glomeruli are damaged. It can happen on its own or in conjunction with inflammatory or autoimmune conditions. If not treated, glomerular disease can lead to serious health impacts, including kidney failure. Damaged glomeruli can allow proteins and sometimes red blood cells to leak into your urine. In some cases, waste that should be removed stays in the blood.

Glomerular disease is rare, but UW Health’s team of kidney experts is well-equipped to treat it. We have a highly experienced team ready to provide outstanding, comprehensive care, allowing you to keep your symptoms in check and enjoy your best quality of life.

Some of the more common signs of glomerular disease include:

• Foamy urine, which can be a sign of protein in your urine

• Pink or light brown urine, which can indicate blood in your urine

• Edema, which is swelling in your face, around the eye (especially in the morning), hands, feet or ankles (especially at the end of the day)

• High blood pressure

• Tiredness

• Weight gain due to excess water weight

There are dozens of different kinds of glomerular disease and UW Health treats patients with any of them. Some of the more common types include:

• FSGS (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis): Scarring of the glomeruli

• IgA nephropathy (also called Berger’s Disease): Inflammation of the glomeruli

• Lupus nephritis: Another condition with inflammation and scarring of the glomeruli

• Membranous nephropathy: An autoimmune disease in which the glomeruli are attacked by the body

• ANCA vasculitis: Another autoimmune disease in which the glomeruli are attacked by the body

• C3GN: A group of conditions in which the glomeruli are damaged or inflamed

• Alport syndrome: A genetic condition in which the glomeruli are damaged

Treatment for glomerular diseases is necessary and is focused on keeping your kidney working. We do this through careful evaluation, early diagnosis, controlling kidney inflammation, preserving kidney health, reducing treatment/medication side effects and preventing flare-ups.

Medications to treat glomerular disease may include some or all the treatment regimens:

• Blood pressure medicines to lower your blood pressure

• Medications to decrease protein in urine, such as angiotensin convertase inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker and sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors and mineralocorticoid antagonists

• Water pills called diuretics, which reduce swelling

• Corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation

• Immunosuppressive therapy to calm your immune response

UW Health also offers the opportunity to enroll in clinical trials for patients who meet enrollment criteria.

Good nutrition is also an important part of glomerular disease treatment. Kidney nutritionists at the UW Glomerular Disease Clinic will help you develop a diet plan that’s healthy for your kidneys.

Glomerular disease and kidney failure

Glomerular disease can lead to kidney failure if left untreated. If you have kidney failure, your doctor will recommend additional treatments. Kidney failure treatments include:

In addition to the providers listed below, the Glomerular Disease Clinic has a genetic counselor, social worker and kidney nurses who support our patients.

Eastpark Medical Center has all the resources you need if you’ve been diagnosed with glomerular disease. From laboratory services to a pharmacy and infusion center, the facility was built to provide patients convenience.

There are several organizations with more information about glomerular disease and other kidney conditions for patients. These include: