Know the Types and Ways to Prevent Kidney Inflammation

The kidneys have an important role, which is to filter fluids, electrolytes, and glucose to be reabsorbed by the body, filter out toxic substances for later released with urine, control blood pressure, and maintain acid base (pH) of blood. Kidney problems, including inflammation of the kidneys, can interfere with these functions. Disorders that arise in inflammation of the kidneys are determined by the cause and affected kidney area. Kidney inflammation is sometimes not preceded by specific symptoms. To be aware of kidney inflammation, it is important for you to first recognize the type of kidney inflammation and its symptoms.

Types of Kidney inflammation

In medical terms, inflammation of the kidneys is called nephritis. This condition is generally caused by autoimmune disorders and infections that affect the kidneys. Here are the two main types of kidney inflammation that you need to know, namely:

• Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the glomeruli, which is a group of small blood vessels in the kidney that functions to absorb excess fluid, electrolytes, and waste substances from the blood, to then be excreted through urine. In this part, blood filtering occurs. Glomerulonephritis is most often caused by the immune system that attacks healthy body tissues. This condition is generally only detected when patients undergo urine or blood tests. Some of the symptoms of this type of inflammation of the kidneys are swelling in certain body parts such as feet and face, the presence of blood in urine, shortness of breath, frequent coughing, and abdominal pain. Immediately consult a doctor if you experience these symptoms. If not treated, glomerulonephritis can pose risks later in life, such as high blood pressure, anemia, to kidney failure.

• Interstitial Nephritis

Interstitial nephritis is inflammation of the tissues that surround the renal filter. Interstitial nephritis can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term). Interstitial nephritis is generally caused by:
• drug allergic reaction.
• Autoimmune disorders, such as Kawasaki disease.
• Long-term use of certain drugs, such as paracetamol and aspirin.
• Potassium levels in the blood that are too low, and calcium or uric acid levels that are too high.
Symptoms include fever, rash, nausea and vomiting, confusion, fatigue, easy drowsiness, reduced or increased amount of urine, blood in the urine, swelling of certain limbs, and weight gain due to fluid buildup. To determine the diagnosis, the doctor will conduct a physical examination coupled with several tests, including blood tests, kidney function tests, ultrasound of the kidneys, urine tests, and kidney biopsies. In general, this condition is only temporary, but in some cases can cause permanent kidney disorders, such as chronic kidney failure.

In addition to the two main types above, there are other types of inflammation of the kidneys, namely:

• Pyelonephritis, inflammation that starts from a urinary tract infection which then spreads up to the kidneys.
• Lupus nephritis, which is inflammation of the kidneys caused by lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus / SLE), which is a disease caused by a disturbance in the immune system.
• Diabetic nephropathy, which is kidney disease that arises as a complication of diabetes. Kidney damage due to diabetes is thought to be caused by increased inflammation in the kidney, as well as damage to the structure and function of the kidneys due to high and uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

Efforts to Avoid Kidney Inflammation

Based on the cause, kidney inflammation in general can be prevented in the following ways:

• Immediately consult a doctor if you have a bacterial infection of the throat and skin.
• High blood pressure risks causing kidney disorders. Therefore, always control your blood pressure.
• Some types of kidney inflammation can increase the risk if there is hepatitis and HIV. Therefore, it is important to avoid drug use with needles and unsafe sex.
• Prevent diabetic nephropathy by controlling blood sugar levels.
• Avoid long-term consumption of drugs and herbal products if not recommended by your doctor.
• Limit consumption of water and salt to relieve high blood pressure and swelling.
• Quit smoking.
• Maintain ideal body weight.

Immediately consult a doctor if you experience symptoms as described above. You are still at risk of kidney inflammation, even if you don't feel any symptoms. The most important thing is to change your lifestyle to be healthier to reduce the risk of kidney problems.