The main differences between pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis are: different frequency of urination, the presence of edema or their absence, the spread of inflammation to nearby tissues (with pyelonephritis).
There are other characteristic features that allow to distinguish one disease from another. Glomerulonephritis passes with obvious changes in the blood. For this reason, the general condition of the patient is very rapidly aggravated. The metabolic processes in the body are disturbed, hypertension and modifications in the myocardium begin. For this reason, glomerulonephritis can be accompanied by wheezing in the lungs and shortness of breath.
Another characteristic feature that distinguishes acute pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis in children and adults is the pathology of the blood circulation of the brain, which may cause its edema. The accumulation of toxic elements in tissues often leads to psychological pathologies. Disruption of electrolyte balance, increased intracranial pressure - all these are results that cannot be ruled out with renal pathology.
Causes of Glomerulonephritis
Both diseases are inflammatory processes and affect the kidneys. However, in order to understand their differences, it is necessary to understand in more detail the causes of both ailments. Glomerulonephritis is also called glomerular nephritis, because with it the glomeruli (glomeruli) of the kidneys become inflamed. This leads to edema, increased blood pressure and decreased urine output.
The cause of all these troubles is an autoimmune or infectious-allergic reaction. The fact is that the disease often occurs after a streptococcal infection. Antigens of streptococcus and renal tissue are similar in structure. As a result, antibodies produced by the immune system fight not only microbes, but also kidney cells. Antibodies settle on the membrane of the renal glomeruli, which leads to impaired microcirculation and normal functioning of the organ.
What affects the appearance of the disease?
To provoke an attack of the immune system on glomeruli can also:
- viruses;
- parasites;
- fungus;
- food and household allergens;
- medicines (antibiotics, sulfonamides);
- serum and vaccine.
The clinical picture of the disease unfolds 2-4 weeks after streptococcal tonsillitis or another triggering factor. It is this amount of time that the immune system needs to form and accumulate immune complexes. The disease can begin acutely or proceed completely imperceptibly.
Causes of pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis is an inflammatory lesion of the kidney structures of bacterial origin, accompanied by damage to the renal calyces and pelvis (pyelitis), as well as kidney parenchyma. May occur in the right, left, or both kidneys.
Provoke pyelonephritis:
- frequent hypothermia;
- anatomical features of the kidneys;
- foci of chronic inflammation in the body;
- urolithiasis disease;
- diabetes;
- immunodeficiency states;
- prostate adenoma in men.
Pathogenic microorganisms enter the kidneys in an ascending way in the presence of inflammation in the genitourinary system, as well as from other infectious foci with blood and lymph flow.
Symptoms
Glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis are diseases that occur in both children and adults. These pathologies are more often observed in women, especially during gestation. Pathologies of the kidneys can have different severity of symptoms depending on the spread and localization of the inflammation process, the following clinical manifestations can be observed:
- the appearance of bloody discharge in the urine;
- violation of the outflow of urine;
- manifestation of thirst;
- increase in low-grade body temperature;
- spontaneous loss of appetite;
- rapid increase in body weight;
- a sharp increase in blood pressure;
- pain in the lumbar spine;
- increased sweating;
- chronic malaise;
- pallor of the skin;
- violation of the water balance;
- the appearance of tachycardia symptoms;
- endotoxic shock.
In the chronic course of the disease, all of these symptoms can occur gradually. However, it should also be noted that if any of the above manifestations of the disease appear, you should immediately consult a doctor for differential diagnosis of the patient's condition and its further treatment.
Diagnostics
To carry out the differential. for diagnosing pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis, the patient’s complaints are clarified, an anamnesis is made, an examination is made, laboratory-instrumental and morphological methods of study. Glomerulonephritis is indicated not so long ago by tonsillitis, vaccination, allergic diseases, the fact of illness in close relatives.
Diagnosis of glomerulonephritis
With glomerulonephritis, two kidneys are affected, for this reason the pain syndrome is equally manifested on both sides. Since the destruction of vascular glomeruli occurs, the patient notes a change in the color of urine from pink to rusty. In the general analysis of urine, the following changes are observed:
- excretion (red blood cells in the urine, normally absent);
- proteinuria (protein in the urine);
- a decrease in the density of urine (the concentration ability of the kidneys decreases).
Ultrasound examination, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for the differential diagnosis of pyelonephritis and glomerulonephritis show changes in the renal parenchyma. An accurate diagnosis can only be made after a morphological examination. In this case, a kidney biopsy is taken and its cortical and brain substance is examined. Based on this study, the prognosis of the disease can be determined.
Diagnosis of pyelonephritis
Since pyelonephritis affects one kidney more, the pain is clearly localized to the right or left. The disease is accompanied by severe intoxication of the body (fever). Urine becomes cloudy, has a fetid aroma due to the presence of microorganisms in it. In the general analysis of urine there are leukocytes, bacteriuria (a huge number of bacteria) is noted. Ultrasound shows an increase in the pyelocaliceal system. In chronic pyelonephritis with frequent exacerbations, renal failure forms over time.
Drug treatment
Drug treatment for acute and chronic pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis and cystitis helps to improve the patient's condition as quickly as possible. The most effective drugs are antibiotics. They fight a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. The following drugs are considered the most effective:
- Amoxil;
- Ofloxacin;
- Ceftriaxone.
If the disease is at an initial stage, the tablets give a good result. If they stop helping the patient, it is necessary to switch to antibacterial agents that are administered intravenously. The procedure is carried out by a doctor, monitoring urine tests.
What to look for when choosing drugs?
When choosing drugs, you need to buy drugs that contain ibuprofen, diclofenac, and aspirin. The first component quickly lowers the temperature, has an analgesic effect.
With the help of antihistamines, you can quickly relieve swelling of the kidneys, medications of this type can cope with inflammation and help block the development of an allergic reaction.
To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, it is necessary to approach the therapy in a comprehensive manner, combining two types of drugs. In addition, it is recommended to take diuretics, the main task of which is to strengthen urination and the amount of urine excreted. For people who suffer from urolithiasis, such medications should be taken with great care and only under the supervision of a doctor.
With glomerulonephritis, severe back pain often appears, blood pressure rises, so the patient needs to take exactly those drugs that quickly and effectively eliminate pain, reduce swelling, and lower blood pressure. Doctors often prescribe combination drugs that combine antibacterial and diuretic substances. Thus, treatment can be accelerated and the risk of side effects can be reduced.
Alternative treatment
In the treatment of pyelonephritis, which can damage both one and two kidneys, and glomerulonephritis, a folk remedy has a good effect. To improve the condition of the kidneys during the inflammatory process, you need to peel one large onion, bake it in the oven and eat it in the morning before breakfast.
Good results can be achieved with the help of horsetail. A tablespoon of crushed plants is poured with 250 ml of hot water. Horsetail should be infused for 2-3 hours. The infusion during this time is cooled, it is filtered and consumed in a tablespoon six times a day. Horsetail helps reduce inflammation and swelling, pain. Grass improves metabolic processes, strengthens the immune system. In the acute stage of glomerulonephritis, it is not recommended to take this drug.
Positive dynamics in treatment can be achieved using the following plants:
- dioica nettle;
- yarrow;
- Birch tree;
- bedstraw.
If the patient had blood in the urine, it is necessary to use a decoction of nettle and dwarf yarrow. The crushed leaves of the plant are mixed in equal proportions. It will take 1 tbsp. l mixture, which is poured with boiling water and insisted in 20 minutes. Take the medicine one dessert spoon 4-5 times a day on an empty stomach.
Regular tea can be replaced with a drink from birch leaves. In winter, the leaves of the plant can be found in the pharmacy.
With kidney disease and the inflammatory process, it is recommended to use an ordinary bedstraw. For this, 3 tbsp. l the crushed plants are poured with 0.5 l of boiling water and insisted for about 30 minutes. To do this, you can use an ordinary container or a thermos. Drink a drink before meals 3-4 times a day. In addition, other herbs, such as St. John's wort and succession, chicory and burdock, chamomile, wormwood, coltsfoot, will also help treat kidney diseases.
Prevention
Glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis are kidney diseases of various etiologies. In order for these diseases not to develop again, it is necessary to exclude all adverse factors. Prevention of glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis is to comply with the following recommendations:
- It is necessary to adhere to dietary food, exclude spicy foods, salty, fatty, carbonated drinks and water, chips and crackers from the diet.
- All urological diseases should be treated promptly.
- Avoid hypothermia of the lumbar spine.
- Add a variety of greens to your food.
- Use vitamin and mineral supplements to strengthen immunity.
- Every day you must follow the rules of personal hygiene.
- A routine inspection should be done annually to control the disease.
- Adequate fluids should be used to improve urine outflow.
- Systematization of physical activity.
- Provide a comfortable emotional and psychological climate.
- Do not drink alcoholic and low alcohol drinks.
If you follow all these recommendations, you can prevent the development of relapses of the disease.