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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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GN - Primary Glomerulonephritis

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Primary glomerulonephritis, or GN, involves damage to the glomeruli in the kidneys. Glomeruli are the filtering structures of the kidneys. When glomeruli are damaged, protein and blood cells may leak into the urine.

What is going on in the body?

Primary GN stems from damage to the glomeruli. Most often this is the result of inflammation of the tissue. The injury can be mild with few symptoms. It can also be severe and life threatening.

Six major syndromes are associated with primary GN, including:

acute glomerulonephritis, which may develop suddenly after a throat, skin, or upper respiratory infection

blood in the urine, called hematuria

chronic glomerulonephritis, which develops slowly

nephrotic syndrome, which causes a set of symptoms including bodywide swelling

protein in the urine, called proteinuria

rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, which often follows a kidney inflammation and causes rapid loss of kidney function

What are the causes and risks of the disease?

Several factors can contribute to the risk for primary GN. These include the following:

autoimmune disorders, such as a condition called systemic lupus erythematosus

certain cancers

chronic hepatitis, an infection of the liver

genetic tendencies

infections, such as a heart infection known as endocarditis

rheumatic fever, an immune response that may follow a group A streptococcal infection such as strep throat

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