ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Nephrotic syndrome

What is Nephrotic syndrome?

21:55 - 4 May , 2021

Disease

It is a kidney disease in which the body eliminates large amounts of protein through the urine due to injuries to the kidneys’ glomeruli, which are responsible for filtering blood and waste, keeping the protein, so when they are damaged, they cannot do this and are eliminated with the urine, causing edema in various parts of the body, which can trigger multiple complications.

In general, nephrotic syndrome can appear at any age, being more frequent in males.

As in any condition, there are a number of factors that can increase the risk of developing nephrotic syndrome, including:

Pre-existing diseases such as:

  • Amyloidosis.
  • Cancer.
  • Diabetes
  • Glomerulosclerosis.
  • Lupus.
  • Membranous nephropathy.
  • Infections such as strep throat, malaria, hepatitis B or C, and AIDS.
  • Some antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

Signs and symptoms Nephrotic syndrome

  • Increased body weight.
  • Exhaustion.
  • Edema, especially in the ankles and feet, although it can also occur in the eyes, abdomen, and arms.
  • Acne.
  • Foamy or bubbly urine.
  • Lack of appetite.

If you have any of these symptoms, or your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are too high, it is important that you see your doctor to check your kidneys and thus avoid complications.

Potential risks:

  • Anemia.
  • Fluid accumulation.
  • Clots.
  • High cholesterol and triglycerides.
  • Cardiovascular diseases.
  • Hypertension.
  • Frequent infections, such as pneumonia.
  • Kidney failure.

Diagnosis and treatment Nephrotic syndrome

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and request a series of tests to confirm the diagnosis:

  • Urine and blood tests to know the levels of protein, cholesterol, and triglycerides.
  • Kidney biopsy.

Treatment will depend on the nephrotic syndrome origin, but will include the intake of various medications, such as:

  • Anticoagulants.
  • Corticosteroids.
  • Diuretic.
  • Drugs to lower blood pressure and reduce protein levels in the urine.
  • Cholesterol-lowering drugs.

It is likely that your doctor will also recommend that you modify your eating habits, promoting a low sodium and low protein diet, as well as vitamin D supplements.

Remember that the best way to prevent nephrotic syndrome is by taking care of your health and controlling the conditions that can contribute to its appearance.

At the ABC Medical Center Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies, of chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments

Internal medicine
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • kidneyfund.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • mayoclinic.org
  • msdmanuals.com
  • topdoctors.es
  • wnyurology.com
  • medigraphic.com
  • Olea-Sánchez EG, Sánchez-Moreno EC, Hernández-Salcedo DR, et al. Síndrome nefrótico por amiloidosis AL asociado con gammapatía monoclonal de cadenas ligeras lambda. Med Int Mex. 2020;36(5):722-726.
  • Liquidano-Pérez E, González-Pedroza ML, López-Santiago NC, et al. Síndrome nefrótico paraneoplásico, manifestación infrecuente en leucemia linfoblástica aguda en pediatría. Rev Hematol Mex. 2019;20(4):283-286.
  • Abarca ZV, Álvarez RN. Síndrome nefrótico en pediatría . Revista Médica Sinergia. 2020;5(03):392-392.
  • Estrada-Rivera EL, Mares-Gil JE, Gómez-González D, et al. Síndrome nefrótico concomitante con linfoma de Hodgkin. Rev Hematol Mex. 2018;19(3):153-156.

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