Definition:
Goodpasture's syndrome is a rare disease wherein there is hemorrhaging in the lungs and rapid destruction of kidneys. Many other conditions may have similar symptoms, however Goodpasture's syndrome is characterized by autoimmunity due to the immune system attacking cells with the Goodpasture antigen found in the lungs and kidneys.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis may not occur until late in the disease due to vagueness of symptoms. Kidney biopsies are performed in order to conclude the diagnosis.
Treatment:
Immunosuppresants and corticosteroids are effective forms of treatment. However, they pose serious side effects, making the patient more vulnerable to infections.
Patients who smoke must also quit in order to stop lung hemorrhaging. Antibiotics are prescribed to treat lung infections.
Symptoms and Signs:
Kidney and lung disease are usually present in most cases; however sometimes it may just be one or the other. Lung symptoms usually develop prior to the kidney symptoms.
The lung symptoms may seem harmless at first, and can occur for years before severe symptoms develop. These include cough and minor breathlessness that progress into hemoptysis and anemia as a result of blood loss in lung hemorrhaging.
Kidney disease includes nephritis, rapidly progressive glomurelonephritis, hematuria, acute renal failure, loss of appetite, breathlessness, edema, and high blood pressure.
Causes:
Smokers are at higher risk for Goodpasture's syndrome. Exposure to fumes may also increase risk as well as viral respiratory infections.
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