What is Good Pasture Syndrome?
Good pasture syndrome is defined as an autoimmune disease in which the immune system of the body is mistakenly harmed or destroys the healthy cells of the specific organs of the body especially the cells of the kidney and lungs.
In Good Pasture Syndrome, the attacking part of the cell is the specific protein that is collagen which is present in the cells of tiny air sacs in the lungs and filtering units that are glomeruli of the kidney.
The immune system starts producing antibodies against the cells of the lungs and kidneys. Such antibodies are known as anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies. This basement membrane plays a very important role in kidneys as it leads to the filtration of blood and makes urine. These antibodies damage this base membrane and disturb the filtration function of the kidneys.
In the case of lungs, these antibodies produced by the immune system damage air sacs and cause bleeding.
The main cause of the formation of these auto-antibodies is the viral respiratory infection in which the body’s immune system produces antibodies against the virus but due to the resemblance of body cells with antigens to be attacked the immune cells start attacking the healthy cells of the lungs and kidneys.
Who is prone to get affected by Good Pasture Syndrome?
Men are more likely to be affected by this syndrome.
Men are eight times more prone to get affected by this disease.
Good pasture syndrome occurs most commonly in early adulthood.
Mostly affected age groups are 20-30 years and 60-70 age groups.
What are the causes of Good Pasture Syndrome?
• It is an auto-immune disorder
• Occasionally this is triggered by a viral respiratory infection or by breathing in hydrocarbon solvents.
• Smoking
• Exposure to metal dust
• Exposure to organic solvents
What are the signs and symptoms of Good Pasture Syndrome?
• Loss of appetite, fatigue.
• Weakness
• Lung symptoms may include:
• Coughing up blood
• Dry cough, shortness of breath
• Kidney and other symptoms include:
• Blood in urine
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swelling of lower extremities
What investigations are advised in cases of Good Pasture Syndrome?
• Physical examination
• Hearing abnormal heart and lung sounds
• Urinalysis
• BUN
• Chest X-ray
• Lung biopsy
• Kidney biopsy
What is the Deferential diagnosis of Good Pasture Syndrome?
• Respiratory failure
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Pneumonia
What are the complications of Good Pasture Syndrome?
• Lung failure
• Chronic kidney disease
• Rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis
What is the Homeopathic treatment for Good Pasture Syndrome?
Berberis vulgaris
Apis mellifica
Bryonia
Mercurius corrosivus
Terebinthiniae oleum
What is the Diet/management of Good Pasture Syndrome?
• Limit salt content in diet and fluids to control oedema.
• Take a low-protein diet for this disease.
