N11.8: Other chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis

Your kidney has become inflamed.

There are normally 2 kidneys in the body. They filter blood and create urine. They thus help to detoxify the body. Furthermore, the kidneys regulate the blood pressure and salt content in the blood, among other things.

Each kidney consists of 3 layers of tissue. The outer layer is called the renal cortex. The renal cortex is where urine is produced. It also filters out substances from the body. The middle layer of the kidney is the renal medulla. The renal medulla consists of large numbers of renal tubules. Electrolytes are excreted or returned to the body through these tubules. The inside of the kidney contains the renal pelvis. This is where the urine from the kidney accumulates. The urine then flows into the bladder via the ureter.

Your renal tissue has been inflamed for a considerable time. As a result, the renal cortex and the renal tubules stop working properly. There can be different reasons for this. For example, the kidneys may have been damaged by certain pathogens or certain types of medication. However, other conditions can also damage the kidneys.

Symptoms vary, mainly depending on where the kidney is damaged.

If the renal tissue does not work properly over a longer period, harmful substances start to accumulate in the body. The body can often continue in this condition for some time. In most cases symptoms do not occur until the renal tissue is barely able to function. At this point, for example, the kidneys may only be producing very small amounts of urine. This may, for example, cause fluid to accumulate in the body. You may also have circulatory problems.