Nephrotic syndrome is a disorder that indicates damaged kidneys. It refers to a group of symptoms, including protein in the urine, low blood protein, and high cholesterol. Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder characterised by high levels of protein in the urine and swelling of body tissue. People of any age can be affected by nephrotic syndrome, although children aged between 18 months and four years are at increased risk.
Causes
In New Zealand, the most common cause of the nephrotic syndrome is glomerulonephritis - a group of kidney diseases where the glomeruli become inflamed. Malfunction of the immune system is thought to be the underlying cause of glomerulonephritis. For some reason the immune system attacks and damages the glomeruli. The three most common forms of glomerulonephritis causing nephrotic syndrome are:
Minimal change nephropathy (also called minimal change disease).
Membranous glomerulonephritis.
Focal segmental glomerulonephritis.
Signs and symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include:
Swelling (edema), particularly around your eyes and in your ankles and feet
Foamy urine, which may be caused by excess protein in your urine
Weight gain due to excess fluid retention
How is nephrotic syndrome treated?
In some cases, nephrotic syndrome may be symptomless or mild and not require treatment. If symptoms appear, however, it is important to treat them because further damage to the kidneys can occur over time. The most important symptom to treat is high blood pressure. Controlling autoimmune symptoms and lowering blood cholesterol are also important goals of treating nephrotic syndrome.
Medications for nephrotic syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome symptoms are treated with a variety of medications including:
Blood pressure medications, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, which prevent further damage to the glomeruli
Blood thinners, which prevent clots from forming
Cholesterol-reducing medications such as statins, which control blood cholesterol levels
Corticosteroids, which control inflammation
Diuretics, which reduce swelling
Vitamin supplements such as vitamin D, which replace lost vitamins and minerals
kidneyfight@hotmail.com
Causes
In New Zealand, the most common cause of the nephrotic syndrome is glomerulonephritis - a group of kidney diseases where the glomeruli become inflamed. Malfunction of the immune system is thought to be the underlying cause of glomerulonephritis. For some reason the immune system attacks and damages the glomeruli. The three most common forms of glomerulonephritis causing nephrotic syndrome are:
Minimal change nephropathy (also called minimal change disease).
Membranous glomerulonephritis.
Focal segmental glomerulonephritis.
Signs and symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include:
Swelling (edema), particularly around your eyes and in your ankles and feet
Foamy urine, which may be caused by excess protein in your urine
Weight gain due to excess fluid retention
How is nephrotic syndrome treated?
In some cases, nephrotic syndrome may be symptomless or mild and not require treatment. If symptoms appear, however, it is important to treat them because further damage to the kidneys can occur over time. The most important symptom to treat is high blood pressure. Controlling autoimmune symptoms and lowering blood cholesterol are also important goals of treating nephrotic syndrome.
Medications for nephrotic syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome symptoms are treated with a variety of medications including:
Blood pressure medications, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, which prevent further damage to the glomeruli
Blood thinners, which prevent clots from forming
Cholesterol-reducing medications such as statins, which control blood cholesterol levels
Corticosteroids, which control inflammation
Diuretics, which reduce swelling
Vitamin supplements such as vitamin D, which replace lost vitamins and minerals
kidneyfight@hotmail.com
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