FSGS stands for Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. The word “focal” is added because in FSGS, only some of the filters are damaged. “Segmental” is included because often only parts of the filters are scarred. So Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis is a very descriptive name for the disease. Some segments of kidney filters are scarred.
Cause
The causes of FSGS are largely unknown, but advances in clinical studies link the disease to reflux nephropathy. Reflux nephropathy is a condition in which kidneys are damaged from a backward influx of urine into the kidney. Valves that connect the kidney to the ureter evolved to keep urine flow in a one-way direction.
Other causes of FSGS involve the abnormal length of the ureter that extends into the bladder. Normally, the ureter is buried well into the bladder with a genetically programmed length. When abnormalities in bladder tunnels are present, the pressure in the bladder overcomes the closed structure and pushes urine back into the kidneys.
Symptom
FSGS causes inefficient filtering of wastes from the blood which in return causes the following symptoms:
• Proteinuria
• Edema
• Hypertension
• Hypoproteinemia
• Hypercholesterolemia
Tests
It's important to seek medical treatment when FSG is suspected. If left unchecked, it can lead to chronic renal failure. Urinalysis, biopsies and immunofluorescence microscopy tests are usually given to patients who show symptoms.
