Glomerular Diseases

Specialized kidney care

Glomerular kidney disease refers to a group of rare and complex kidney diseases that can cause inflammation, scarring and damage to your kidneys. Over time, the damage gets worse and can lead to kidney failure. That’s why it’s important to catch it early. If your kidney specialist suspects glomerular kidney disease, we can help. In fact, our highly skilled team includes specialists who can diagnose your condition and offer personalized treatment options.

Recognize the signs

Causes can vary widely, but are usually related to an infection, use of drugs that are harmful to your kidneys or medical conditions that affect your entire body like cancer, diabetes and lupus.

Signs of glomerular kidney disease may include:

• Abnormal protein levels in your urine
• Blood in your urine (pink or pale brown urine)
• Edema (swelling in your face, hands, feet or ankles)
• Foamy urine
• Reduced filtration rate

Often there are no obvious symptoms of glomerular diseases. But you can ask your doctor about getting tested for kidney disease. Simple blood and urine tests can show the health of your kidneys.

Find effective treatment

Treatment for glomerular disease usually depends on its cause. The results from your diagnostic tests will help us learn more about your condition, so we can create a treatment plan that’s just right for you.

Treatment will often begin with learning how to monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar, as well as the role diet, nutrition, exercise and lifestyle habits play in managing your condition. And, if you’re experiencing swelling and fluid buildup, we may prescribe diuretics (water pills).

Our clinic offers advanced care for these and other glomerular diseases:

• ANCA-associated vasculitis
• Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
• Goodpasture syndrome (anti-GBM)
• IgA nephropathy (Berger’s disease)
• Lupus nephritis
• Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN)
• Membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN)
• Minimal change disease (MCD)
• Multiple myeloma with amyloidosis

Learn about clinical trials

Our doctors are scientists with a heart for helping people with kidney disease. Right now, research teams are studying ways to protect kidney health and care, all so we can make life better, healthier and happier for people like you.

You have a chance to be part of our team. If you join a clinical trial, you can add to our understanding of glomerular kidney disease — and gain early access to new therapies.

Interested? Learn more about open clinical studies and requirements.

Contact us

Whether you need a consultation, second opinion or help managing your condition, you can count on our team to provide the best-possible care. Call (804) 828-2161 and ask to schedule an appointment in the Glomerular Diseases Clinic.