Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Question: anybody knows about focal segmental glomerulosclerosis?

Answer: Definition: Glomeruli are structures in the kidney that filter harmful or unnecessary substances out of the body. Each kidney has thousands of glomeruli. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is an illness that occurs when scar tissue forms in some of the glomeruli of the kidney. The term "focal" means that some of the glomeruli become scarred, while others remain normal. The term "segmental" means that only part of an individual glomerulus is damaged. Alternative Names: Segmental glomerulosclerosis; Focal sclerosis with hyalinosis Causes, incidence, and risk factors: 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 . In this condition, protein is persistently released in the urine, especially in the form of urine albumin . Most cases will progress to long term, chronic renal failure . Although the disorder seems to be immune system related, response to corticosteroid or immunosuppressive medications, which modify our immune response, is inconsistent.

Question: I'm suffering from Benign Nephrosclerosis. I have my BP in control right now. will i be cured? can i survive ? I'm suffering from "Benign nephrosclerosis with focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis'. focal global sclerosis along with chronic changes in the parenchyma have set in. i'm leaking 1.6 mg % of creatinine. urine albumin is +2, 24 hrs protein- 2.18 gm. S. protein- 7.8 gm%. other reports are normal. blood-urine test after 15 days of biopsy have come almost same. my BP is under control right now. my question is, if i keep my BP under control for lifetime then also my both kidney will fail at some day? if i reduce creatiinine and albumin from urine then also my kidney will fail in future? if not then how can i know that i'm getting healed. which report suggests that i'm being cured. And on which report i should keep check. If getting worst, on which report basis i can know that my kidneys are getting severely damaged and i need didlysis. can anybody tell that by keeping atiquatte BP and creatinine, i can survive or not? and if not then what is the maximum time i have.

Answer: I'm sorry your doctor didn't try to answer more of your questions for you, kidney problems are usually complicated and very frightening for patients when they're first diagnosed....I am not familiar with that disorder at all, but looking at the labwork you posted, it looks like so far, so good....your kidneys actually have a hand in maintaining a normal blood pressure, so that's why long-term untreated kidney disease will cause heart problems and vice versa. It sounds like your doctor plans to keep you on a blood pressure medicine to reduce stress and possible damage to your kidneys and in the meantime monitor your BUN, creatinine, albumin, etc levels to see how well your kidneys are functioning (since the kidneys are responsible for filtering waste & unnecessary nutrients out of the blood, that labwork will tell the doctor if they're working ok). Alot of times there isn't a "cure" for a disease...there's only treatments that maintain the health of the affected organs for as long as possible. Following your prescribed medications and having labwork drawn when ordered is the most important step because it will let you know how well the treatment is working. Since I'm not familiar with your particular diagnosis, I don't know if it is a "degenerative" disease where treatment only slows the kidney damage or if it's something that can be corrected simply by taking blood pressure pills. That's a question for your doctor! He/she gets paid a lot of money to do this job, don't be afraid to make them earn it! Write down the questions you have and call/make an appointment to sit down with your doctor and get them answered. God bless and good luck!