Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

The following information was copied from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is scar tissue that forms in areas of the kidney that filter certain things out of the body. These areas are called glomeruli. They help the body get rid of harmful or unnecessary substances. Each kidney has thousands of glomeruli.
"Focal" means that some of the glomeruli become scarred, while others remain normal. "Segmental" means that only part of an individual glomerulus is damaged.

Causes
The cause of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is usually unknown. A small number of cases result from reflux nephropathy. The condition affects both children and adults. Males are affected slightly more often than females, and it also occurs more frequently in African Americans.
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis causes about 10 - 15% of all cases of nephrotic syndrome.

Symptoms
Foamy urine
Swelling of the body, called generalized edema, from retained fluids
Weight gain
Poor appetite

Exams and Tests
There are no strong clues to the diagnosis on physical examination, other than evidence of edema and elevated blood pressure. Signs of kidney renal failure and associated fluid overload may develop as the illness gets worse.
Tests may include:
Urinalysis
Kidney biopsy
Immunofluorescence microscopy test

Treatment
The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms associated with nephrotic syndrome and chronic kidney failure. For detailed treatment information for those conditions, see:
Nephrotic syndrome
Chronic kidney failure
In general, treatments may include:
Low or moderate protein diet (1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day)
Low fat diet
Salt-free diet
Fluid restriction
Powerful anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce the immune response
Medicines to treat high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels
Antibiotics to control infections
Vitamin D supplementation
Dialysis
Kidney transplantation

Outlook
Over half of all persons with focal or segmental glomerulosclerosis develop chronic kidney failure within 10 years.

Possible Complications
Chronic kidney failure
End-stage kidney disease
Nephrotic syndrome
Malnutrition
Infection

When to Contact a Medical Professional
You should call your doctor if symptoms develop, especially if there is fever, pain with urination, or decreased urine output.

Prevention
No prevention is known.



Update Date: 5/15/2007
Updated by: Robert Mushnick, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Nephrology, SUNY Downstate Health Center, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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My 6th month post-op check up

Just wanted to update everyone that my test results all came back with everything in normal ranges. I have been lucky with the consequences of my decision to donate. My blood pressure never increased and my only complaint is the itching of the Love Scar. In my next post, I am going to post some info about FSGS. This is the disease that caused Greg's kidney failure. I thought it would be a good idea to spend some time here talking about what causes kidney failure and FSGS seems like a good place to start. If anyone has something they would like me to write about, leave me a comment and I will do my best to find information for you.

Medicare Bill Passed By Senate!!

Yippee, the Senate approved the Medicare bill passed by the House in June! It is veto-proof with a 69-30 vote!! I am pasting the info from an email I received from the AMA Patient's Action Network below:

Great news! On Wednesday, July 9, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 6331, the “Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008,” by a veto-proof majority of 69-30.

Eighteen Republican senators joined Senate Democrats to make this a truly bipartisan process. See how your senators voted here, and send an e-mail to say thank you for voting on behalf of patients and the doctors who care for them.

Thank you so much for your tireless efforts. This was a monumental grassroots effort that really turned the tide, and we proved that together we are stronger!

The bill must now be signed into law by President George W. Bush, who has signaled on more than one occasion that he intends to veto it. However, given the fact that the payment cuts have already occurred and that the bill passed both chambers of Congress with the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto, there is some reason to question the next steps by the White House. Of course, we will keep you apprised as we learn more.

Again, many thanks for your help in this effort!AMA Patient's Action Network. Please take some time to thank your congressional representatives.