腎臟炎的發生，可能有以下幾種原因：
1. 尿道感染，往上游發展:http://www.hofferclinic.com/qna_detail.asp?cat=39&deid=304&hfpwd=hf0301ic
2. 腎結石:http://www.hofferclinic.com/qna_detail.asp?cat=39&deid=851&hfpwd=hf0301ic
3.中毒，如：
1-重金屬（汞）:http://www.hofferclinic.com/qna_detail.asp?cat=39&deid=293&hfpwd=hf0301ic
2-化療:http://www.hofferclinic.com/service.asp?deid=3&hfpwd=hf0301ic
3-化療顯影劑
4-藥物濫用
5-化學溶劑、毒蛇、昆蟲等:http://www.hofferclinic.com/qna_detail.asp?cat=2&deid=1172&hfpwd=hf0301ic
4.慢性病，如：
1-充血性心臟衰竭:http://www.hofferclinic.com/qna_detail.asp?cat=39&deid=342&hfpwd=hf0301ic
2-糖尿病:http://www.hofferclinic.com/qna_detail.asp?cat=39&deid=309&hfpwd=hf0301ic
3-高血壓:http://www.hofferclinic.com/qna_detail.asp?cat=24&deid=84&hfpwd=hf0301ic
4-肝病:http://www.hofferclinic.com/qna_detail.asp?cat=39&deid=308&hfpwd=hf0301ic
5-高尿酸
6-自體免疫狼瘡腎炎:http://www.hofferclinic.com/qna_detail.asp?cat=39&deid=357&hfpwd=hf0301ic
7-鐮刀性貧血
8-布萊德氏症
9-多囊性腎病
10-腎積水（尿路畸形）
11-腎盂腎炎（感染性疾病）