Acute glomerulonephritis, sometimes called acute nephritic syndrome, most often affects children between the ages of 2 and 10 after a streptococcal infection, although adults may also develop the disease. Other bacterial and viral infections and autoimmune diseases can also cause acute glomerulonephritis, which damages the glomeruli, blood vessels within the kidney. Symptoms include fluid retention, high blood pressure, decreased urine production and flu-like symptoms. Acute glomerulonephritis often resolves on its own, but treatments to improve kidney function may be needed to prevent kidney failure in some cases.
Dietary Restrictions
Dietary restrictions reduce the burden on the kidneys so they can recover and also eliminate the retained fluid that elevates blood pressure. Dietary sodium and protein restrictions may be prescribed. Limiting sodium decreases the amount of fluid retained, and limiting protein modestly reduces kidney deterioration, Merck Manual Home edition reports.
Medications
If a streptococcal infection led to acute glomerulonephritis, antibiotics to combat the infection may help. Since the disease may not develop for one to six weeks after the infection, antibiotics may not be effective. Antimalarial drugs are used if malaria caused the disease. Autoimmune diseases may require corticosteroids, which decrease the immune system response and reduce inflammation. Cyclophosphamides, another type of immunosuppressant medication, may also help the kidneys heal.
Dialysis
Dialysis filters the blood and removes waste products, a job normally carried out by the kidneys. Acute kidney failure from acute glomerulonephritis may require temporary dialysis. Dialysis, normally done in the hospital or special dialysis centers, is done several times a week over a period of several hours. If early symptoms of the disease are missed, chronic kidney failure may develop, leading to a need for permanent dialysis and possibly kidney transplant. Around 0.1 percent of children with acute glomerulonephritis and 25 percent of adults develop chronic kidney failure, Merck warns.
Bed Rest
People with acute glomerulonephritis are often placed on complete bed rest to reduce the burden on the kidneys and lower blood pressure until blood and protein disappear from the urine and blood pressure normalizes, says Kansas State University.
