Understanding Glomerulonephritis & Kidney Function

How the kidneys work, what happens when they’re damaged, and what treatments and prevention involve
Author: Dr Swamy (integrating modern scientific research with Ayurveda & homeopathic remedies)

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Meta Title: Glomerulonephritis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, GFR, Dialysis & Holistic Care
Meta Description: Learn about glomerulonephritis (acute & chronic), how kidney filters (glomeruli) get damaged, the meaning of GFR, when dialysis is needed, its types and duration—and how Dr Swamy integrates modern research with Ayurveda and homeopathy for kidney health.
Keywords: glomerulonephritis, kidney filters, acute glomerulonephritis, chronic glomerulonephritis, glomerular filtration rate, GFR, dialysis types, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, Ayurveda kidney health, homeopathy kidney care
Tags: kidney disease, glomerulonephritis, dialysis, GFR, Ayurveda, homeopathy, nephrology, kidney filters

What is Glomerulonephritis?

Glomerulonephritis is the name given to a group of conditions in which the tiny filters in your kidneys—called glomeruli—become inflamed or damaged. These glomeruli are responsible for filtering your blood: removing waste products and excess fluid, and returning the cleaned blood to your body.
When these filters don’t work properly, harmful waste and fluid build up, and you may eventually develop kidney failure if the damage is severe.

Symptoms of Glomerulonephritis

Symptoms vary depending on whether the condition is acute (comes on quickly) or chronic (develops slowly).
Common symptoms include:

Blood in the urine (so urine may look pink, red or “cola‐coloured”).
Foamy or bubbly urine (because of excess protein).
Swelling (edema) especially in the face, ankles, feet or hands due to fluid retention.
High blood pressure (hypertension) because kidneys regulate fluid and salts.
Reduced urinary output (urinating less than usual).
Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, muscle cramps (more common when kidney damage is advanced).
In many chronic cases, there may be no symptoms initially and the condition is detected only on routine urine tests.

What Causes Glomerulonephritis?

The causes are diverse. Some lead to sudden onset (“acute”), others lead to slow damage (“chronic”).
Some of the known causes include:

Infections: For example after a throat infection or a skin infection with streptococcal bacteria you can develop post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
Viral infections (such as hepatitis B or C) or HIV.
Autoimmune disorders (for example Systemic lupus erythematosus = lupus, Goodpasture syndrome).
Vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) which may affect glomeruli.
Long-term conditions: uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, which cause scarring to glomeruli over time.
Genetic/inherited disorders may play a role in chronic glomerular disease.

How Will I Know If I Have Glomerulonephritis?

Because the symptoms may be subtle (especially in chronic cases), early detection is often via tests:

Urine test (urinalysis): looks for blood (hematuria) or protein (proteinuria) in urine.
Blood tests: checking kidney function (creatinine, urea), electrolyte levels, markers of inflammation.
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR or more commonly eGFR): a measure of how well kidneys are filtering.
Kidney imaging or biopsy: in more complex cases a kidney biopsy may be performed to find the exact type of glomerulonephritis.
If you have any of the symptoms (e.g., blood in urine, swelling, persistent high BP) you should consult a nephrologist (kidney doctor).

What is GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate)?

GFR is the volume of fluid that is filtered by the glomeruli per minute. It is one of the principal measures of kidney function.

What do the numbers mean?

A “normal” eGFR is usually 90 or more mL/min/1.73 m² in a healthy adult.
An eGFR between 15-59 suggests moderate to severe kidney disease.
An eGFR below 15 is considered kidney failure (end-stage) and may require dialysis or transplant.
So when you mention the range “GFR 90 to 15 and after 15 GFR dialysis” — it aligns with the clinical concept: GFR 90+ = good; as the filter function drops gradually (e.g., 60-59-30 etc) you approach more serious kidney disease; once GFR falls to ~15 or below, dialysis or transplant may be needed.

Why Does Nature Give Two Kidneys — Why Not One?

Humans (and many animals) have two kidneys for redundancy and reserve. Some scientific / physiological reasons:

Each kidney has roughly a million nephrons (filtering units). Having two lets you lose part of the capacity (due to injury or disease) and still maintain function.
It allows greater filtration capacity: in normal life you may need 100 L+ of ultrafiltrate per day (≈180 L/day of fluid is filtered in total) and the body reabsorbs most of it so only ~1-2 L ends as urine.
Having two kidneys provides a backup so that one diseased kidney can be compensated by the other — until both are damaged.
Also evolutionary biology: bilateral organs (paired) are common (eyes, lungs, limbs) providing resilience to damage.
In short, having two kidneys gives a margin of safety, ensures effective clearance of waste, and supports long-term survival even if one kidney becomes damaged.

Treatment of Glomerulonephritis

Treatment depends on cause, severity (acute vs chronic), how much kidney damage has occurred.

For acute forms:

Identify and treat the trigger (e.g., infection). For example, post-streptococcal GN: treat the streptococcal infection.
Control high blood pressure, reduce swelling (diuretics) & protect kidneys from further damage.
In some cases immune suppression (if autoimmune) may be used.
Many cases of acute GN, especially in children, can resolve with treatment and supportive care.

For chronic glomerulonephritis:

There is often slow progression; goal is to slow the damage, preserve kidney function, control blood pressure, reduce proteinuria.
Dietary changes: reducing salt, controlling diabetes, limiting protein/ potassium as advised by nephrologist.
In later stages, if kidney function falls significantly, dialysis or kidney transplant may be needed.

Integrative perspective (Dr Swamy’s contribution)

In my integrative practice, I combine modern nephrology care with Ayurvedic and homeopathic supportive remedies (as adjuncts—not replacements) to improve the patient’s overall wellness, reduce oxidative stress, support renal tissue health, improve micro-circulation, and help manage comorbidities (such as hypertension, diabetes). The key is early detection, coordination with your nephrologist, and integrating safe herbal/homeopathic adjuncts under supervision.

How Is Dialysis Used, What Types and Duration?

When kidneys fail (GFR falls very low, < 15 mL/min/1.73m², or the patient develops significant symptoms of uremia) dialysis is a life-saving treatment.

What is Dialysis?

It’s an artificial method to remove excess fluid and waste from your blood when kidneys cannot.

Who invented dialysis?

Willem Johan Kolff (Dutch physician) built the first working dialyser during WWII (1943) and effectively treated a patient in 1945.
Nils Alwall (Swedish professor) improved the dialysis machine, added ultrafiltration and made practical machines from 1946 onwards.

Types of Dialysis

The main types are:

Hemodialysis (HD): A machine and dialyzer filter blood. Usually done 3 times/week in centre (≈3-4 hours/session).
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD): The patient’s peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) acts as the filter. Dialysate fluid is introduced into the abdomen and then drained. Can be done at home.
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT): Mostly used in critically ill hospitalised patients, a continuous slow dialysis over 24 h.

How long does a dialysis session last?

For in-centre hemodialysis: about 3-4 hours per session, typically three times weekly.
For home hemodialysis: could be more frequent or longer (3-7 days/week, 3-8 hours).
For peritoneal dialysis: CAPD (manual) involves exchanges 3-5 times/day, APD (automated) often overnight.

What chemical “ingredients” or solutions are used during dialysis?

Dialysate solutions contain a mixture of salts (sodium, potassium, bicarbonate or acetate buffer), glucose (in PD fluid), and other electrolytes to create a concentration gradient so waste and excess fluid move from blood into dialysate.
The principles: diffusion (waste moves from higher concentration in blood to lower in dialysate), ultrafiltration (pressure or osmotic gradient removes fluid), and in PD the peritoneum acts as semi-permeable membrane.

How Can I Prevent Glomerulonephritis?

Prevention is about protecting your kidneys and reducing risk factors. Some key steps:

Treat infections promptly (especially throat/skin infections) and follow through with care.
Control blood pressure and keep it within target range.
Manage blood sugar if you have diabetes.
Avoid overuse of nephrotoxic medications (NSAIDs, certain antibiotics) and ensure hydration.
Maintain a healthy diet: moderate salt, maintain ideal body weight, avoid high protein if advised.
Routine check-ups: Urine test / kidney function test if you have risk (family history, hypertension, diabetes). Early detection of glomerular damage helps slow progression.
Lifestyle: avoid smoking, stay physically active, moderate alcohol, eat kidney-friendly diet.
In my integrative practice I also recommend Ayurvedic kidney-support herbs (under supervision) and homeopathic remedies to support general renal health—but always in coordination with conventional nephrology care.

Why Two Kidneys, Not One — And What Happens When Filters Go Down?

As earlier described, two kidneys provide redundancy and capacity. However, when the filtering units (glomeruli) of one or both kidneys get damaged, the GFR falls. When the GFR drops to the range of ~15 mL/min/1.73m² or below, it signals kidney failure and triggers discussion of dialysis or transplantation.
Thus the two-kidney design gives a buffer: you may lose part of your filtration capacity and still function adequately until reserves are exhausted.

Disclaimer

This blog provides general information only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. If you suspect kidney disease, glomerulonephritis or have abnormal test results, you must consult a qualified nephrologist. The integrative approaches (Ayurveda, homeopathy) mentioned are adjunctive—they do not replace standard medical treatments. Always check with your doctor before starting any herbal or homeopathic remedy, especially if you have kidney disease.

Conclusion

Glomerulonephritis – whether acute or chronic – is a serious condition affecting the kidney’s filtering units, the glomeruli. Early recognition (via symptoms or test abnormalities), timely treatment, and preventive care are key to protecting kidney health. Understanding GFR helps you know where you stand, and knowing the options for dialysis means you can be prepared if serious kidney damage occurs. In my work, I bring together modern scientific nephrology with safe Ayurvedic and homeopathic supports, offering holistic care for those facing kidney challenges.