Bright's disease

Bright's disease has historically been classified as a kidney disease, which would be described in modern medicine as acute or chronic degenerative nephritis, especially parenchymal. However, the term is no longer used, and kidney diseases are now classified according to their etiology.

Pathology

Bright's disease contains a group of disorders that belong to the group of non-suppurative or degenerative diseases that are characterized by the presence of protein—mainly albumin—and blood in the urine. Edema (inflammation due to to fluid accumulation in the tissues), urinary retention and arterial hypertension.

Clinical picture

This disease is detected by the presence of albumin in the urine and is frequently accompanied by edema.

Symptoms are usually severe. Back pain, vomiting, and fever are common indicators of an attack. Edema, which can range from slight swelling of the face to a buildup of fluid sufficient to distend the entire body and sometimes severely restricts breathing, facilitated by the presence of anemia and metabolic acidosis, is a very common condition.. The amount of urine is reduced, acquires a dark, smoky or bloody color, shows the presence of a large amount of albumin in the analyzes and abundant blood cells under the microscope.

This state of acute inflammation can severely limit daily activities and, if undiagnosed, lead to one of the chronic forms of Bright's disease. However, in many cases inflammation due to increased urination is reduced by the use of loop diuretics and the disappearance of albumin and other by-products is usually accompanied by recovery.

Treatment

Historically, Bright's disease was treated with hot baths, bloodletting, squill, mercuric compounds, opium, diuretics, laxatives, and dietary therapy, including abstinence from alcoholic beverages, cheese, and red meat. Arnold Ehret was diagnosed with Bright's disease and declared incurable by 24 of Europe's most respected doctors; he designed the Mucusless Diet Cure System, which apparently cured his disease. Dr. William Howard Hay suffered from the disease and is said to have been cured by the Hay diet.