Kidney Disease
Glomerular Diseases
The region’s leading kidney specialists offer complete care for glomerular diseases. We draw on a variety of evidence-based treatments to preserve your kidney function and quality of life.
Medically reviewed by Nasim Wiegley, M.D. on Jan. 08, 2026.
What Are Glomerular Diseases?
Glomerular diseases affect the tiny filters in your kidneys, called glomeruli, that clean your blood. When the glomeruli don’t work as they should, waste products build up in your blood instead of being excreted in your urine.
Healthy glomeruli also retain proteins and blood that your body needs. But glomerular diseases cause these important substances to leak into your urine.
Without treatment, glomerular diseases can lead to permanent kidney damage and progression to kidney failure.
At UC Davis Health, we have experience evaluating and treating glomerular diseases and all stages of chronic kidney disease. We are nationally recognized for our expertise in kidney care. UC Davis Medical Center is a high-performing hospital in kidney failure, according to U.S. News & World Report. This designation means we exceed national averages for outcomes and patient care.
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Symptoms of Glomerular Diseases
Symptoms of glomerular diseases vary depending on the underlying cause of the disease. Symptoms may be mild or severe, depending on disease progression.
Common Symptoms
- Blood in your urine
- Foamy urine (the result of too much protein in your urine)
- High blood pressure
- Swelling in your hands, ankles or face
- Weight gain
Complications of Glomerular Diseases
Advanced glomerular diseases can lead to:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Kidney failure
- Nephrotic syndrome
Glomerular Disease Causes
Many conditions can cause your glomeruli to harden (glomerulosclerosis) or become inflamed (glomerulonephritis). These conditions include:
Diabetic Kidney Disease
Diabetic kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy) is the most common cause of glomerular diseases. Over time, high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in your kidneys that filter waste.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases cause your immune system to overreact and attack healthy cells. Diseases like lupus, renal vasculitis, IgA nephropathy and anti-glomerular basement membrane disease cause inflammation in your kidneys.
Infections
Infections, such as bacterial or viral infections, can damage glomeruli.
Medications
Certain drugs can lead to glomerular disease. Examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anti-platelet agents, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Genetic Conditions
Abnormal changes to genes (mutations) can lead to conditions that affect your kidneys. Alport syndrome and Fabry disease are two inherited syndromes known to cause glomerular disease.
Diagnoses and Testing for Glomerular Diseases
Our kidney specialists oversee a dedicated glomerular disease clinic. Patients have access to nephrologists and kidney pathologists (experts in analyzing kidney tissue). This multidisciplinary approach streamlines the diagnostic process. Patients receive fast results for kidney biopsies and other tests, so they can start treatment sooner.
Tests for glomerular diseases may include:
- Blood and urine tests check for abnormal amounts of protein, blood cells and other substances in your body fluids
- Imaging exams such as an ultrasound or CT scan help us evaluate blood vessels and inflammation in your kidneys
- Kidney biopsy is a test that examines a small sample of tissue from your kidneys to find signs of glomerular disease
Treatments for Glomerular Diseases
At UC Davis Health, experts across multiple specialties work together to plan your care. You receive the coordinated input of nephrologists, endocrinologists, rheumatologists, surgeons, dietitians and other providers. We tailor treatment to your needs with the goal of preserving kidney function and preventing-long term damage.
Treatments for glomerular diseases may include:
Medication
We may recommend medication to lower your blood pressure and stop protein loss. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are two common drugs that can slow kidney disease progression.
If your kidney condition is the result of an autoimmune disorder, we may recommend corticosteroids to reduce inflammation or immunosuppressants to calm your immune system.
Dialysis
Dialysis is a procedure to clean your blood when your kidneys aren’t working as they should. Hemodialysis removes blood through a vein in your arm, filters it in an external machine and returns it to your body. Peritoneal dialysis filters blood inside your body using a special cleaning solution and a catheter in your abdomen.
At UC Davis Health, we have dedicated dialysis access surgeons. They work with our nephrologist to determine the best type of dialysis access for your needs.
Plasmapheresis
If you have kidney disease related to autoimmune disorders, you may benefit from plasmapheresis. Plasmapheresis is similar to dialysis, but it specifically removes harmful antibodies from your plasma (the liquid part of the blood). Antibodies are proteins produced by your immune system.
Kidney Transplant
People with severe glomerular disease that has advanced to kidney failure may need a kidney transplant. The kidney transplant program at UC Davis Health is one of the highest-volume centers in the nation. Our kidney transplant outcomes are among the best in the U.S. We receive the most complex cases due to our depth and breadth of expertise in this area.
Preventing Glomerular Disease
You can reduce your risk of some conditions that cause glomerular disease by:
- Eating a diet low in sodium
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Managing blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- Avoiding high-protein supplements
How common is it?
1 in 3Diabetic adults in the U.S. have diabetic kidney disease
Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Glomerular Disease
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Awards and Recognitions
Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in pediatric nephrology, orthopedics*, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in aortic valve surgery, back surgery (spinal fusion), COPD, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, gynecological cancer surgery, heart arrhythmia, heart failure, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pacemaker implantation, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, cancer, orthopedics, gastroenterology & GI surgery, and urology.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
World-class cancer care
One of ~59 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.
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