Kidney Swelling is also known as nephritis, and can be either acute or chronic. Acute nephritic syndrome is a group of disorders that cause inflammation of the internal kidney structures. It is often caused by an immune response triggered by an infection or other disease, and may be associated with the development of high blood pressure, inflammation of the spaces between the cells of the kidney tissue, and acute kidney failure. The inflammation disrupts the functioning of the glomerulus, which is the part of the kidney that controls filtering and excretion. This disruption results in blood and protein appearing in the urine, and a buildup of excess fluid in the body. Swelling results when protein is lost from the blood stream. Blood loss from the damaged kidney structures leads to blood in the urine. Chronic Nephritis is a long term, inflammation of the tissues of the kidney that can be caused by a wide variety of reasons. It is frequently associated with a slow, progressive loss of kidney function. This loss of kidney function is usually discovered accidentally, either by routine urinalysis (tests done to check kidney function) or during a routine physical checkup when anemia, hypertension, or laboratory findings are discovered. Symptoms Blood in the urine (urine appears dark, tea colored, or cloudy) Blurred vision Decreased urine volume (little or no urine may be produced) General aches and pains ( joint pain, muscle aches) General ill feeling (malaise) Headache Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement Swelling of the face, eye socket, legs, arms, hands, feet, abdomen, or other areas Treatment Treatments for both acute and chronic nephritis depend on the underlying cause of the inflammation.