nephrotic syndrome – from cause to 4 major symptoms, record recurrence and cure strategy

Hello, Gunburn Life. Today, we’re going to learn more about nephrotic syndrome.

the cause of nephrotic syndrome

The causes of nephrotic syndrome vary, mainly due to damage to the glomeruli in the kidneys. This damage can be caused by several internal and external factors, especially including the side effects of autoimmune diseases, infections, genetic factors, and certain drugs. In autoimmune diseases, the body’s immune system attacks its own kidney tissue, causing inflammation, which leads to a decrease in the function of the glomeruli.

For example, autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, can cause glomerulonephritis and develop into nephrotic syndrome. In addition, certain viral infections (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B) can directly damage the glomeruli, or chronic underlying diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension) can burden the glomeruli over a long period of time, leading to nephrotic syndrome. These various causes lower the kidney’s filtering ability, which is characterized by nephrotic syndrome, such as proteinuria.

the four major symptoms of nephrotic syndrome

Neon syndrome is defined as certain symptoms that appear due to filtering dysfunction in the kidneys. The main symptoms of the condition are proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and swelling. These symptoms are correlated with each other, resulting in decreased kidney function and an impact throughout the body.

1. Proteinuria: The most common and early-found symptom, urine releases unusually high levels of protein, indicating impaired filtering of the glomeruli.
2. Hypoalbuminemia: The loss of protein in the body leads to a decrease in albumin levels in the blood. Albumin plays an important role in maintaining fluid in plasma, so the decrease in those levels can lead to a variety of physical problems.
3. Hyperlipidemia: Increased blood lipid levels due to decreased renal function. This means increased fat and cholesterol in the blood, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
4. Edema: hypoalbuminemia prevents fluid from maintaining normally in the body and causes fluid to leak between tissues. This usually manifests as noticeable swelling on the legs, ankles, or face, and in severe cases can also cause shortness of breath.

In this way, the four major symptoms of nephrotic syndrome are interconnected, and each can be a cause of another. Understanding these complex interactions is crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning. Accurate diagnosis and effective management can alleviate these symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients with nephrotic syndrome.

the difference between nephrotic syndrome and glomerulonephritis

The nephrotic syndrome and glomerulonephritis can often be confused, and both conditions result from problems with the renal glomeruli. However, glomerulonephritis is a disease in which the glomeruli of the kidneys become inflamed, resulting in decreased renal function. On the other hand, the main problem in nephrotic syndrome is that proteins are lost to the urine due to glomerular damage.

microaltered nephrotic syndrome

Micro-altered nephrotic syndrome is mainly found in children and is known as the most responsive form among nephrotic syndrome. This condition is characterized by the difficulty of detecting changes in kidney tissue without using an electron microscope. The main symptoms of micro-altered nephrotic syndrome are severe proteinuria and swelling, which is due to the damage of the glomeruli of the kidneys, which causes the mass loss of protein into the urine.

In treatment, steroids are very effective in managing this condition. Patients who receive steroid treatment often experience rapid and holistic symptom improvement. Therefore, regular follow-up with immediate treatment initiation is essential if a patient is diagnosed with microaltered nephrotic syndrome. This allows early detection of recurrence of symptoms and appropriate response, and can greatly improve the quality of life of patients.

Managing a diet for nephrotic syndrome

Dietary management of patients with nephrotic syndrome plays an important role in curbing the progression of the disease and alleviating symptoms. High-protein meals should be avoided, and it is recommended to manage swelling in the body by limiting sodium intake. In addition, it is important to eat foods that are low in saturated fats and cholesterol to control hyperlipidemia. This diet control reduces the burden on the kidneys and helps maintain overall health.

It is ideal to plan a personalized diet that suits your health status and needs in consultation with a nutritionist. Regular nutrition counseling can support a healthy lifestyle by adjusting the diet of nephrotic patients and maintaining proper nutrition.

a cure for nephrotic syndrome

The likelihood of a cure for nephrotic syndrome depends on the cause, the patient’s overall health condition, and the response to the treatment. In some cases, a cure may be possible, especially in microscopic nephrotic syndrome, but management of other forms of nephrotic syndrome can be the primary goal. You can effectively manage nephrotic syndrome through regular medical checkups and active treatment plans.

So far, we have provided a wide range of information on nephrotic syndrome. If additional information about the disease is needed or symptoms appear, it is recommended to consult a specialist. A healthy lifestyle and regular medical checkups will be of great help in managing nephrotic syndrome.