How long does acute nephritis require bed rest?

Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
Updated on November 11, 2024
00:00
00:00

Acute nephritis is commonly seen in children. Once acute nephritis occurs, the main clinical manifestations in patients typically include hematuria, which can be visible or microscopic. It is also accompanied by varying degrees of edema, elevated blood pressure, and even transient renal failure. As for how long patients with acute nephritis need to stay in bed, current studies suggest a minimum of 2-3 weeks of bed rest. If the patient’s hematuria disappears, urinary protein decreases, and edema subsides, they can gradually start moving out of bed. If the condition remains stable, activities can shift from indoors to outdoors. However, if visible hematuria reoccurs, or if edema reappears after activity, it is necessary to continue bed rest for another 4-6 weeks. Therefore, students suffering from acute nephritis often need to take a leave of absence from school and should be closely monitored for changes in their condition under a doctor's guidance.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
1min 21sec home-news-image

How to treat acute nephritis?

Acute nephritis is commonly seen in children. The most typical clinical manifestations of acute nephritis include macroscopic or microscopic hematuria, increased urinary protein, and varying degrees of edema, particularly noticeable in the eyelids and facial areas. There may also be varying degrees of increased blood pressure, and even renal failure can occur. In terms of treatment, there are no specific drugs for acute nephritis; the main approach is symptomatic and supportive treatment. During the acute phase, patients should rest in bed and receive targeted treatment for their complications. If there is severe edema, diuretics may be used appropriately. If there is a significant increase in blood pressure, antihypertensive drugs should be used to control the pressure. In cases of severe heart failure, palpitations, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, diuretics should also be used to alleviate the cardiac load. If the patient experiences oliguria, hyperkalemia, or acute renal failure, temporary dialysis may be necessary. Furthermore, a low-salt, low-fat, and light diet should be maintained to prevent complications from excessive salt intake causing edema and high blood pressure. (Use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
47sec home-news-image

Symptoms of acute nephritis recurrence

When acute nephritis recurs, patients may experience a series of symptoms similar to those at the onset of the disease. Patients may present with hematuria, including visible hematuria in some cases. Due to the presence of a significant amount of protein in the urine, patients may develop edema in parts like the lower limbs and eyelids, and in severe cases, edema can become generalized. The presence of protein in urine also leads to increased urine foam. Some patients may experience acute renal failure, a dramatic decrease in urine output, and gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea and vomiting. Patients may also develop hypertension and heart failure, among other conditions.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
1min 3sec home-news-image

How long should one with acute nephritis stay in bed for rest?

After the onset of acute nephritis, patients should rest in bed for 2-3 weeks until gross hematuria disappears, blood pressure returns to normal, and edema subsides. If the patient's condition is severe, with complications such as high blood pressure, noticeable edema, and significant hematuria, then bed rest should be extended to 4-6 weeks. Bed rest can increase renal blood flow and improve kidney function, which is beneficial for enhancing treatment effectiveness. Gradually, indoor activity can be increased. If the condition does not worsen after 1-2 weeks, the patient may begin outdoor activities. Patients with mild residual proteinuria and microscopic hematuria should be followed up and closely observed without the need for indefinite bed rest. If urine changes worsen again after activity, further bed rest is necessary. For students who develop acute nephritis, it is advisable to take a break from school to ensure enough rest time for recovery.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
57sec home-news-image

How long does acute nephritis require hospitalization?

Generally speaking, regardless of the disease, the condition is often stable when patients are discharged from the hospital, including the management of acute nephritis. The length of hospital stay for patients with acute nephritis depends on the individual condition of the patient. If the condition of acute nephritis is mild and the patient does not have obvious symptoms, such as mild proteinuria and hematuria, such patients may be hospitalized for about a week. After assessing the condition and predicting gradual improvement, the patient can be discharged. However, if acute nephritis causes some serious complications and the patient's condition is unstable, such as leading to congestive heart failure, some patients may also develop acute renal failure and severe consequences like lung infections. Before these complications are controlled and stabilized, the patient cannot be discharged, and the hospital stay may even exceed one month.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Liu Sheng
Nephrology
1min home-news-image

What are the symptoms of acute nephritis?

Acute nephritis is commonly seen in children. Most cases of acute nephritis are preceded by a history of streptococcal infection one to three weeks before the onset. Once acute nephritis occurs, the main symptoms include the development of edema, especially swelling of the eyelids and face after waking up in the morning. Additionally, patients with acute nephritis will also experience hematuria, which can be visible or microscopic, with increased foam in the urine and a change in color, and even a decrease in urine output. Of course, patients with severe acute nephritis will also experience a significant increase in blood pressure, leading to nausea, vomiting, headaches, palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and an inability to lie flat, resulting in heart failure. Therefore, patients with acute nephritis need to undergo reasonable and standardized treatment to avoid complications.