What is FSGS?

Courtesy Ed Friedlander, M.D., Pathologist http://www.pathguy.com/lectures/fsgs.jpg

Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a type of Glomerular Disease, one of many diseases that affect kidney function by attacking the glomeruli. Basically the glomeruli are small units within the kidney where blood is cleaned. In this disease the glomeruli gets scarred or gets hard. FSGS is a scarring within the kidney that can only be seen clearly under a microscope.

So when the this disease damages the glomeruli, proteins and red blood cells escape into the urine. Eventually it causes excretion of waste products from the body difficult. This is not good because waste will build up in the blood. In our bodies we need protein, because of albumin is being loss. Albumin is a substance that functions to absorb fluid from the body. If it's being excreted out of the body, then more fluid will build up in the body, causing swelling of the hands, feet, face, etc...

FSGS is only one of many causes of kidney failure or end-stage renal disease -- Duke University. Research is being conducted to find the cause and to find out if it runs in the family. According to University of North Carolina Kidney Center , African-Americans are 2-4 times more likely than Whites to develop FSGS. The disease affects children and adults of all ages. Duke University finds that most people affected by FSGS do NOT have a family history of kidney disease. Unfortunately, there isn't a cure or FSGS. People can manage it with use of medications. We'll get to that soon!