Final answer:
Acute glomerulonephritis symptoms include excessive protein and blood in urine, high blood pressure, edema, and possibly fever and oliguria. It can have various causes including autoimmune diseases and post-infectious mechanisms. Distinguishing it from other kidney conditions like pyelonephritis is essential.
Step-by-step explanation:
Symptoms of Acute Glomerulonephritis
Acute glomerulonephritis is characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli within the kidneys. Common symptoms of this condition include the presence of excessive protein and blood in urine, also known as proteinuria and hematuria, respectively. Patients may also experience increased blood pressure and fluid retention, leading to noticeable edema, particularly in the face, hands, and feet.
Another symptom of acute glomerulonephritis is oliguria, which is a decrease in urine output. Systemic effects such as malaise, fatigue, and fever may also occur. Severe cases can lead to kidney failure, where the kidneys are unable to adequately clear waste products from the blood.
The causes of acute glomerulonephritis vary and include conditions such as Goodpasture's syndrome, Wegener’s granulomatosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. It may also occur after streptococcal infection or be associated with infections like bacterial endocarditis, albeit through potentially different mechanisms.
It is important to distinguish acute glomerulonephritis from other renal conditions like pyelonephritis, which involves infection of the kidney itself, or nephrotic syndrome, which is characterized by severe proteinuria, low serum albumin, and high cholesterol levels.