Goodpasture’s Syndrome Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Pulmonary hemorrhage is a critical condition, which has adverse consequences for the patient’s life. It can be accompanied by the obtained, quickly developing glomerulonephritis (gained kidney inflammation). When these two critical factors unite, they lead to the eponym known as the Goodpasture’s syndrome.

Reverse anti–glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibodies can be also noticed when the disease takes place. Health care professionals stress that this problem requires an immediate diagnosis and medical aid as the recovery may take a while. It all depends on the disorder’s phase.

Goodpasture’s syndrome occurs when the basement membrane appears in the alveoli. There is no way to solve this problem with the special lung injury aimed to raise the level of alveolar-capillary permeability. There are many factors that may provoke the disorder or its further progress.

The following threats may increase the alveolar-capillary permeability, the source of the problem: irregular capillary hydrostatic pressure (higher than normal); bacteraemia (the presence of bacteria in the human blood); overdose of inspired oxygen; endotoxemia (when endotoxins are in blood); attack of volatile hydrocarbons; smoking (as this bad habit impacts lungs adversely); cocaine (or similar drugs) inhalation; adverse reaction to metal dusts; upper respiratory infections; genetics; therapies like alemtuzumab.

The last factor is extremely important, as it was discovered not so long ago. Goodpasture’s syndrome possesses higher risks for people who possess so-called human leukocyte antigen (HLA). Moreover, even when diagnosed on time, they still find it more complicated and time-consuming to fully recover.

If the person notices higher exhaustion level, breathlessness, pale skin, and desire to vomit without some good reasons, those are warning signs in any case. Unfortunately, Goodpasture’s syndrome has this dangerous signs among its main symptoms as well. Because the lungs and kidneys suffer more than other organs, it is reflected in the lack of breath. Patients find it hard to breathe deeply, so they may even wake up at night, feeling they are simply running out of the air. Then, they start coughing hardly, often releasing blood with the saliva.

The symptoms look different when the disorder is in kidneys. The person may notice: blood when he or she urinates as well as more frequent visits to WC; blood pressure much higher than it should be; burning sensation when trying to pee; harsh ache in the back; swelling sensation in the extremities. In some severe cases, the patient ends up with the internal bleeding in lungs or kidneys, depending on the main area of injury.

The secondary symptoms more dangerous, signs to show up – visit the closest hospital to see whether it is the Goodpasture’s syndrome. There are several useful examinations that help to detect the problem:

Analysis of urine. The doctors should check protein and red blood cells level to evaluate the health of our kidneys. Blood exam. Are there any harmful antibodies? Biopsy refers to the examination when the health care provider grabs a tiny sample of tissue. He or she defines whether the harmful antibodies are present. It’s a perfect way to test kidney in any situation. Chest X-ray. The doctors usually try to detect the abnormal white patches. Conduct this test only if you suspect your lungs to be damaged.

Not so long ago, Goodpasture’s syndrome belonged to the category of fatal disorders, and there was no way to avoid death. Almost 80% of patients used to survive just five years longer after one of the therapies involving three main agents: plasmapheresis, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive.

Even today, those who have oliguria and fifty percent crescents do not manage to heal. In most cases, the disorder results in the final phase of renal failure. The person should first of all try to resist dangerous antibodies. It is necessary to monitor the fluid formation and control the level of blood pressure.

The doctor will most probably prescribe some oral immunosuppressive drugs. They include cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids. Mostly, these two categories exist to empower the immune system by letting it produce necessary antibodies. These drugs also assist in reducing bleeding of lungs. In most cases, the treatment takes half a year or one full year. To speed up the process, patients may try plasmapheresis to get rid of the dangerous antibodies that remain in the blood. In rare cases, people turn to a kidney transplant, a rather risky and life-threatening surgery.