Common Sense of Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is not a disease but a group of signs and symptoms. It has four obvious characteristics: low protein in blood, high protein in urine, edema or swelling, hyperlipidemia. We can learn it well from the following aspects.

The categories of Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic Syndrome can be caused by two reasons, primary disease and secondary disease. The primary diseases include Minimal Change Disease (MCD), Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and membranous nephropathy (MN). To know which one the primary disease belongs to, a biopsy is often required. Nephrotic Syndrome can also be seen after having a known disease, such as diabetes, cancer, lupus, viral infections, drugs and allergies. When it follows a previous disease, it is often called secondary disease. MCD is the most common cause of Nephrotic Syndrome since approximately 85% children with Nephrotic Syndrome have MCD. As a consequence, the term “Nephrotic Syndrome” is interchangeable with MCD. The second most common cause of Nephrotic Syndrome is FSGS which takes about 3.5% percent among children with Nephrotic Syndrome. The treatment of FSGS is harder than that of MCD. The other causes takes little percent among most common causes of Nephrotic Syndrome.

The symptoms and complications of Nephrotic Syndrome

•massive proteinuria. It is the result of abnormal filtration of glomeruli whose function is to keep necessary substance, such as protein in the blood.

•edema. The appearance of edema is the result of massive lost protein in blood.

•hyperlipidemia

•hypoproteinemia. Without enough protein in blood, it is no doubt to occur.

There are also many complications of nephrotic Syndrome, they are listed as follows:

•Renal vein thrombosis - blood clots

• Increased blood cholesterol, can lead to Atherosclerosis - hardening of the arteries

• Malnutrition

• Skin breakdown

• Infection such as pneumonia

• End Stage Renal Disease

• Congestive Heart Failure

• Pulmonary edema - fluid in the lungs

Without proper treatment, Nephrotic Syndrome will also develop to ESRD (End-stage Renal Disease). Often early treatment of Nephrotic Syndrome gains more satisfactory results than late treatment. Any question, email me at kidneycn186@hotmail.com.