Is Chronic Kidney Disease The Same As Nephrotic Syndrome?

7 February, 2022
By:
ckd-complications

What is Nephrotic Syndrome?

Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) is a group of signs and symptoms caused by damage to the kidney’s filtering units, known as glomeruli. As blood flows through the kidneys, the glomeruli filter it, separating what the body needs from what it doesn’t. Blood protein (mostly albumin) is prevented from soaking into the urine by healthy glomeruli. Nephrotic Syndrome is caused by damaged glomeruli, which enable too much blood protein to escape the body.

Ayurveda can cure the condition of Nephrotic Syndrome by working on the reversal of the cause of the problem. When the problem occurs due to diabetes, hypertension, etc., the main thing is to control the cause first. Because without treatment of these symptoms, it is not possible to cure the health of the kidney.

In the Ayurvedic treatment for Nephrotic Syndrome, the main focus is the treatment with herbal medicines. In a few cases, the patient needs Panchakarma therapy additionally when symptoms are complicated, and protein level is high.

How is Nephrotic Syndrome Diagnosed?

  • Urinalysis is a test that determines how much protein is in the urine.
  • Creatinine, albumin, cholesterol, and various other variables are measured to rule out other possible reasons.
  • The Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) estimates kidney function by combining blood creatinine and urine protein levels.
  • A kidney biopsy is a procedure in which a small part of the kidney is examined under a microscope.
  • Renal Ultrasound or CT scan may be used to examine the kidneys more closely.

What are the Symptoms of Nephrotic Syndrome?

Patients with NS frequently encounter the following symptoms:-

  • High protein levels in the urine (sometimes known as “spilling protein”).
  • Low blood protein owing to urine incontinence or spillage.
  • Urine with a foamy consistency.
  • Swelling, usually around the eyes, feet, and hands, with pitting edema on occasion.
  • Water retention causes weight gain.
  • High blood pressure that is frequent.
  • High blood cholesterol levels can occur from time to time.

What Causes Nephrotic Syndrome?

Nephrotic Syndrome is of two types “primary” and “secondary.”

Primary Nephrotic Syndrome

The primary disorders that damage the kidney’s filtering function are the most common causes of Nephrotic Syndrome. Some of these causes –

  • Minimal Change Disease (MCD) is the most common type in children.
  • Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis is a type of glomerulosclerosis that affects cause this Syndrome.
  • Membranous Nephropathy (MN) is the most frequent type of kidney disease in adults.
  • Glomerular Diseases.

Secondary Nephrotic Syndrome

An underlying cause or condition is linked to secondary NS. If you have been diagnosed with one of the following below, you may have secondary Nephrotic Syndrome:

  • Vasculitis is a kind of lupus.
  • Hepatitis, HIV, CMV, and other infections
  • Diabetes is a metabolic condition.
  • Lymphoma is a type of cancer.
  • Amyloidosis
  • Thrombosis of the Renal Veins
  • Constrictive Pericarditis in Heart Failure
  • Toxins, medications, and IV drug abuse

Who Gets Nephrotic Syndrome?

Although primary NS is a very uncommon disorder, it can affect anyone. NS is one of the most common causes of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), accounting for 12% of adult kidney failure and 20% of kidney failure in children.

  • Nephrotic Syndrome may affect adults and children of both sexes and any race.
  • Every year, 3 out of every 100,000 adults are diagnosed with primary NS.
  • Males are more likely than females to be diagnosed with NS.
  • The most frequent primary NS disease is FSGS.
  • In adult Caucasian patients, MN is the most frequent primary NS disease.

How is Nephrotic Syndrome Treated?

It is important to see a kidney specialist regularly to monitor kidney function, degree of proteinuria, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Many different herbs that rejuvenate the immune system can also be considered.

Your nephrologist may also recommend:

  1. Administering diuretics and a low salt diet that helps to control edema.
  2. Anticoagulants to prevent blood clots.
  3. Statins to lower the cholesterol level.
  4. Maintaining a healthy diet: This might include different amounts of protein and fluid intake according to the doctor’s recommendations.
  5. A healthy diet consists of low salt with emphasis on fruits and vegetables that are also low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
  6. A low salt diet helps in relieving swelling.
  7. Exercising
  8. Not smoking
  9. Vitamins

The most important aspect of Ayurvedic treatment for Nephrotic Syndrome is that it focuses on reversing the problem‘s root cause. When it comes to diabetes, hypertension, or other secondary causes, the most important thing is to keep the primary cause under control. The use of herbal remedies is the main emphasis of Ayurvedic treatment for Nephrotic Syndrome.