Causes of Kidney Inflammation Glomerulonephritis, Pyelonephritis, Lupus Nephritis, Interstitial Nephritis
Nephritis simply means kidney inflammation. Your kidney is a complex waste and extra water filtering organ. And any inflammation may cause a cascade of health problems and permanent kidney damage.
Nephritis is classified as acute or chronic. The most common causes of acute nephritis is a drug allergy, and frequent culprits are:
- aspirin
- lithium
- acetaminophen
- some anti cancer drugs
- some immunosuppressants
Some other causes for an acute inflammatory episode in your kidneys are:
- legionella
- sarcoidosis
- leptospirosis
- viral infections
- streptococcus
- certain Chinese herbs
A few of the causes for a chronic case of nephritis are:
- infections
- hypertension
- autoimmunity
- kidney radiation
- sickle cell disease
- urinary tract obstruction
- polycystic kidney disease
Nephritis can also be caused by a metabolic disorder or toxin, such as:
- hypercalcemia
- high level of lead
- cadmium toxicity
- uric acid in kidney
Glomerulonephritis is the most prevalent form of acute nephritis, inflaming in children more frequently than adult kidneys. This inflammation, aka Bright’s disease, is in the glomeruli, which are small filters.
Glomerulonephritis generally develops after a strep throat, scarlet feveror strep skin infection. Its notifying symptoms are:
- fever
- fatigue
- headache
- facial puffiness
- urine discoloration
- high blood pressure
- hand, foot, ankle edema
Glomerulonephritis treatment may include:
- bed rest
- drugs ~ antibiotics, cortisone, diuretics
- limiting protein, sodium, intake of water
Most completely recover from glomerulonephritis, with symptoms subsiding within a couple of weeks.
Pyelonephritis is used in reference to either kidney infection or inflammation, usually caused by urinary tract infections. It’s most common in adult women, and occurs less frequent than UTI caused bladder infection. Kidney stones are another risk factor for pyelonephritis.
Symptoms of pyelonephritis involve:
- fever
- chills
- fatigue
- cloudy urine
- bloody urine
- abdominal pain
- burning urination
- frequent urination
- lower back pain ~ both sides
Pyelonephritis inflammation calls for early treatment because a kidney infection can lead to bacteremia.
A course of antibiotics is its cure. And pyelonephritis avoidance is via gulping plenty of fluids, urinating regularly and a thorough “post peeing” wipe.
Lupus nephritis is caused by a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. Its symptoms consist of:
- hematuria
- puffy eyes
- weight gain
- foamy urine
- high blood pressure
- swollen legs, ankles, fingers
However, some won’t experience any symptoms. Or you may have flare-up, then remission of symptoms.
Treatment for lupus nephritis may encompass:
- dialysis
- blood pressure medication
- limit protein, sodium, potassium intake
- corticosteroids, other immunosuppressants
Some cases of lupus nephritis may lead to nephrotic syndrome or progress to chronic kidney failure, requiring a transplant.
Interstitial nephritis is inflammation of the the spaces between your kidney tubules, which causes filtration of waste and water issues. Interstitial nephritis is caused by:
- drug side effect
- urinary blockage
- transplant rejection
- severe allergic reaction
- exposure to toxic substances
- kidney connective tissue disorder
- infections ~ tuberculosis, streptococcal, legionella
- analgesic nephropathy ~ long term use of acetaminophen, aspirin, NSAIDS
Acute interstitial nephritis is not uncommon and is often caused by drug side effects.
Interstitial nephritis symptoms include:
- rash
- fever
- hematuria
- proteinuria
- kidney area pain
- nausea, vomiting
- fluid retention weight gain
- urine output increase, decrease
Metabolic acidosis can occur because kidneys aren’t able to remove enough acid. Treatment depends on what is causing your interstitial nephritis.
Some other types of nephritis include:
- hereditary nephritis
- lipomatous nephritis
- infective tubulointerstitial nephritis
- radiation nephritis caused by ionizing radiation
Monitor your urine for any peculiar signs associated with kidney inflammation so you can catch it in advance of a health degrading failure.
- Swelling Signs of Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes or High Blood Pressure Cause
- Fanconi Syndrome Causes Polyuria Excessive Urination & Polydipsia Excessive Thirst Symptoms
- Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Causes Hemolytic Anemia, Thrombocytopenia & Acute Renal Failure
- Nephropathy Kidney Disease, Diabetic Nephropathy, IgA Nephropathy, Contrast Induced Nephropathy

