What is the Difference Between Glomerulonephritis and Nephrotic Syndrome?

Glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome are both kidney-related conditions, but they differ in their nature, symptoms, and causes.

Glomerulonephritis:

It is a type of kidney disease that affects the structures within the kidneys, specifically the glomeruli, which are responsible for filtering blood.
It can be acute or chronic, and without treatment, it can lead to further kidney damage.
It may be primary (restricted to the kidney) or secondary (related to a systemic disease).
Some common causes include IgA nephropathy, post-infectious glomerulonephritis, and lupus nephritis.
Symptoms may include inflammation of the glomeruli, renal dysfunction, oliguria, hypertension, and hematuria (red-colored urine).

Nephrotic Syndrome:

It describes a set of symptoms that indicate an issue with the kidneys.
It is characterized by massive proteinuria (excess protein in the urine) and hypoalbuminemia (low levels of albumin in the blood).
It can be caused by a variety of disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, amyloidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in adults, and minimal change disease in children.
Symptoms may include edema (swelling), hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.

While glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease that can cause nephrotic syndrome, not all cases of glomerulonephritis lead to nephrotic syndrome. Treatments for both conditions aim to manage symptoms directly and address any underlying causes.

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What is the Difference Between Glomerulonephritis and Nephrotic Syndrome?

Comparative Table: Glomerulonephritis vs Nephrotic Syndrome

Here is a table comparing the differences between glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome:

Feature	Glomerulonephritis	Nephrotic Syndrome
Definition	Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease that affects the structures within the kidneys.	Nephrotic syndrome is a group of symptoms indicating kidney issues.
Symptoms	- High blood pressure - Hematuria (blood in the urine) - Weight gain due to fluid retention	- Massive proteinuria (>3 grams per day) - Foamy, frothy urine and dark yellow color - Hypoalbuminemia (low levels of albumin in the blood) - Hyperlipidemia - Edema (swelling)
Causes	Glomerulonephritis may be acute or chronic and can be primary or secondary to another underlying condition or illness.	Nephrotic syndrome can be caused by various conditions, including some forms of glomerulonephritis. Other causes can be secondary due to a disease causing changes to the glomeruli, such as lupus, diabetes, or heart failure.
Treatment	Treatment for glomerulonephritis involves addressing the underlying cause and may include medications, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications.	Treatment for nephrotic syndrome involves addressing the underlying cause of a person's symptoms, which may include medications, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications.

In summary, glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease that affects the structures within the kidneys, while nephrotic syndrome is a group of symptoms indicating kidney issues. Some types of glomerulonephritis can cause nephrotic syndrome.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.