"Can Epilepsy Lead to Kidney Disease?"
Epilepsy may lead to kidney disease. Epilepsy is a condition characterized by excessive discharge of brain neurons, causing convulsions as the primary clinical manifestation. Kidney disease refers to diseases that occur in the kidneys, including common conditions such as glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and diabetic nephropathy.
Causes of Kidney Disease Related to Epilepsy and Other Conditions:
1. Epilepsy: If a patient has epilepsy and fails to receive timely treatment, long-term recurrent seizures may damage the brain, resulting in kidney involvement and the development of kidney disease. Recurrent seizures can gradually worsen brain damage, leading to kidney pathology.
2. Nephrotic Syndrome: Conditions like primary biliary cirrhosis can impair liver function, reducing the ability to synthesize albumin. Albumin entering the bloodstream can then be lost in urine. This loss of albumin can lead to kidney pathology and subsequent kidney disease.
3. Diabetic Nephropathy: Diabetic nephropathy is kidney damage caused by diabetes. High blood sugar levels over an extended period can damage the kidneys, causing glomerular sclerosis, decreased glomerular filtration rate, and an inability to effectively excrete metabolic waste, thereby increasing kidney burden and leading to kidney disease.
4. Others: Conditions such as hypertensive nephrosclerosis can also contribute to kidney disease. Hypertension increases intra-glomerular pressure, damaging the kidneys and ultimately leading to kidney disease.
Advice for Patients with Both Epilepsy and Kidney Disease:
Patients with both epilepsy and kidney disease should promptly undergo relevant examinations such as CT and MRI at a hospital. They should receive appropriate treatment under the guidance of a professional physician.