To better understand acute glomerulonephritis, it helps to understand what the kidneys do.

Kidney Physiology
The kidneys perform vital functions for the body.

Functions include:

• Filter waste from the bloodstream and make urine
• Regulate blood pressure
• Regulate fluid balance
• Regulate red blood cell production
• Regulate salts, such as potassium and sodium, in the bloodstream

The kidneys remove waste from the blood stream and pass it into the urine. If the waste products are allowed to accumulate, they become toxic.