Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)

Overview

Your healthcare provider will listen to your symptoms and take your medical history. Several types of kidney tests may help your provider diagnose FSGS. These tests can include:

Blood test: Taking a sample of blood to measure levels of protein, waste and fat.
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR): Checking a blood sample to measure how well your kidneys work.
Urine test: Measuring the levels of blood and protein in your pee (urine).

However, providers can only definitively diagnose FSGS by doing a kidney biopsy. This is when a provider uses a needle to take a small sample of tissue from your kidney to look for signs of FSGS under a microscope.

Sometimes, healthcare providers use genetic testing to confirm a diagnosis of genetic FSGS. But because genetic tests can be expensive, and there are no known treatments for many forms of genetic FSGS, genetic testing isn’t common.

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Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

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