Appendix: Acute Nephritis

Acute nephritis is an inflammation of the kidney glomeruli. It starts with an acute onset and its
two main manifestations are oedema of the face and eyes and blood in the urine. Other
manifestations include symptoms of exterior invasion such as aversion to cold, fever, headache
and a sore throat. Still other manifestations include nausea and vomiting.

Aetiology and Pathology

Invasion of External Wind

External Wind invades the Lung Defensive-Qi portion and may interfere with the Lung's
dispersing of Qi in the Water passages of the Upper Burner. This causes fluids to overflow in the
space between skin and muscles. This type of Wind is called Wind-Water.

Infection

Nephritis may develop from a transmission of infection from other sites in the body. It may
develop from laryngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, scarlet fever and skin infections from boils,
carbuncles or eczema.

External Dampness

Invasion of external Dampness can impair the function of the Spleen and lead to accumulation of
body fluids and oedema in acute nephritis.

Acute nephritis falls under the category of Yang oedema and it is characterized mainly by
Fullness in the form of Wind-Water, Dampness or Fire-Poison. The main principle of treatment
is therefore to expel pathogenic factors.

Differentiation and Treatment

The main principle of treatment is to expel the predominant pathogenic factor, i.e.:

• Wind-Water: expel Wind-Water by releasing the Exterior and promoting sweat


• Dampness: resolve Dampness, invigorate Yang and promote diuresis