FOCAL SEGMENTAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a disease in which scar tissue develops on the glomeruli of the kidney.

To allow for better understanding, it is best to breakdown these words:

Focal: means that only some of the kidneys’ glomeruli have been damaged, while some are still normal.

Glomerulo: A structure in the kidney. The glomeruli refers to the clusters of tiny blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste and harmful substances from the blood. Each kidney has thousands of glomeruli.

Sclerosis: refers to scarring.

FSGS is most often idiopathic (of unknown cause), but can be caused by a variety of conditions such as the use of heroin or other drugs, HIV infection, obesity, sickle cell disease, atheroembolic disease, nephron loss, inherited genetic problems, and some medicines.

Without treatment, primary FSGS may lead to kidney failure where the only treatment options are dialysis or kidney transplant.

Glomerulosclerosis affects both children and adults. Males are affected slightly more often than females.

If someone has focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), it means the scarring is more limited.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Early stages of glomerulosclerosis may not cause

any symptoms.

In children and some adults, FSGS however presents as a nephrotic syndrome, and this is characterized by

• Foamy urine (from excess protein in the urine)

• Poor appetite, headache, itchy skin, shortness of breath and/or nausea

• Swelling, called generalized edema, from fluids held in the body

• Weight gain

 

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• Hypoalbuminemia (low serum albumin, an important protein in the blood)

• Hyperlipidemia and high blood pressure.

In adults it may also present as kidney failure and proteinuria, without a full-blown nephrotic syndrome.

In HIV–associated FSGS, the renal functional deterioration is rapid, leading to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (which occurs when the kidneys are no longer able to work at a level needed for day-to-day life) within a few weeks to 1 year.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

Since FSGS does not have a particular known cause, the best preventive methods are staying off the possible causal conditions, at least those which can be prevented e.g heroin consumption, hard drugs, medicines without adequate information, obesity, and so on.

Please, for your own safety, it is advised that once you begin to see the signs and symptoms of this disease or you begin to feel unwell, it is best to see your doctor immediately.

A blood test, urine tests, and a kidney biopsy can help determine if you have glomerulosclerosis.

If not detected and treated early, it may lead to kidney failure where the only treatment options available are dialysis or kidney transplant.

#StayHealthy.