What is nephrotic syndrome?
Nephrotic syndrome can be defined as a kidney disorder that causes the human body to pass excessive protein in the urine.
Nephrotic syndrome is usually caused by damage to the clusters of small blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste and excess fluids from a person’s blood. This condition can cause swelling, particularly in the feet and around the ankles, and has an increased risk of other health problems.
What are the symptoms of nephrotic syndrome?
The following are the signs and symptoms of nephrotic syndrome-
- Swelling around the eyes, ankles, and feet
- Foamy urine, which is a result of excess protein in a person’s urine
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight gain due to fluid retention
Causes of nephrotic syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome usually occurs when the glomeruli get damaged and fail to properly filter a person’s blood. The damage to blood vessels allows the protein to leak into the urine. The human body holds on to the extra fluid without albumin. This causes severe swelling in the hands, feet, ankles, and face.
There are many diseases and conditions that can cause glomerular damage, leading to nephrotic syndrome. They include-
- Diabetic kidney disease: Diabetes can cause damage to the kidneys (diabetic nephropathy) that affects the glomeruli.
- Minimal change disease: It is a major and the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children. Minimal change disease is a condition that results in abnormal kidney function, but when the kidney tissue is examined under a microscope, it appears normal. The cause of the abnormal kidney function can not be determined.
- Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: This condition can result from another disease, a genetic defect, or certain medications. In some cases, it may occur for no reason.
- Membranous nephropathy: This condition is the result of thickening membranes within the glomeruli. The thickening is a result of the deposits made by the immune system. It can be associated with other medical conditions like lupus, hepatitis B, malaria, and cancer. In some cases, it may occur for no reason.
- Lupus: It is an autoimmune disease causing inflammation to joints, kidneys, and other organs.
- Amyloidosis: This disorder occurs when amyloid proteins accumulate in a person’s organs. Amyloid buildup can damage the kidneys’ filtering system.
Risk factors in nephrotic syndrome
Certain factors can increase the risk of developing the nephrotic syndrome. These include-
- Medical conditions that can damage the kidneys: Certain diseases and conditions increase the risk of developing nephrotic syndrome. These are diabetes, lupus, amyloidosis, reflux nephropathy, and other kidney diseases.
- Certain medications: Nephrotic syndrome might be caused by medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs used to fight infections.
- Certain infections: Infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and malaria can cause an increased risk of developing nephrotic syndrome.
What are the complications of nephrotic syndrome?
The following are the possible complications of nephrotic syndrome-
- Blood clots: The inability of glomeruli to filter blood properly can cause the loss of blood proteins that help prevent clotting. This may increase the risk of developing a blood clot in the veins.
- High blood cholesterol and elevated blood triglycerides: A person’s liver makes more albumin as the level of the protein albumin in their blood falls. During the same time, the liver releases more cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Poor nutrition: Losing too much blood protein can cause malnutrition. This can result in weight loss, which can be masked by edema. One may also have few red blood cells i.e anemia, low blood protein levels, and deficiency of Vitamin D.
- High blood pressure: An individual’s blood pressure may rise with damage to their glomeruli and the resulting buildup of excess body fluid.
- Acute kidney injury: If an individual’s kidneys lose their ability to filter blood due to damage to the glomeruli, waste products can build up quickly in their blood. In such a case, one may need emergency dialysis.
- Chronic kidney disease: Nephrotic syndrome can cause loss of kidney function over time. If the kidney function falls very low, then one may need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
- Infections: People with nephrotic syndrome may have an increased risk of developing infections.
Diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome
In order to diagnose nephrotic syndrome, the doctor will first see the medical history of the patient. The patient may also be asked about their symptoms, previous medications, or any underlying health conditions.
Several tests may be used to help diagnose the nephrotic syndrome. They include-
- Urine tests: A sample of urine is to be provided by the patient. This may be used to determine the levels of protein in their urine.
- Blood tests: These tests require a sample of the patient’s blood. This can then be used to understand the overall kidney function, blood levels of albumin, and cholesterol levels of the patient.
- Ultrasound: An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of the patient’s kidneys. The doctor will use these images to evaluate the structure of the kidneys.
- Biopsy: In this procedure, a small sample of kidney tissue is collected. It can then be sent to a lab for further testing to get a deeper knowledge of the problem.
Treatment for nephrotic syndrome
The treatment for nephrotic syndrome requires addressing the underlying cause and taking necessary steps to decrease high blood pressure, high cholesterol, edema, and the risks of infection.
The medications that lower blood pressure can also slow down the pace of a kidney disease called nephrotic syndrome.
What is the minimum nephrotic syndrome life expectancy?
Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death for patients with nephrotic syndrome. It is due to the long-term effects on the blood. Some of these cases may later go on to develop serious complications like chronic renal failure.
Without dialysis or kidney transplant, the minimum life expectancy in kidney failure usually ranges from days to weeks. End-stage kidney failure is not curable but ayurvedic treatment can help prevent the condition.
Ayurveda treatment for nephrotic syndrome
The Ayurveda treatment is the best treatment for nephrotic syndrome. It uses natural herbs to treat the disorder in the most ideal manner where they can be assured of results. Ayurveda treatment is effective as it has no side effects on the body and is also not complicated at all.
The Ayurveda uses of techniques that are easily adaptable and are reliable. Ayurveda treatment is herbal and can treat nephrotic syndrome at a core level.
Ayurveda uses simple techniques that help in quick recovery and also help maintain cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Therefore, Ayurveda recommends a healthy diet, discipline, moderate exercising and a change in lifestyle for best results.
Men and women are almost always concerned about the long run and have invested heavily to make sure that tomorrow is really as good as can be. Many individuals even become involved in so many different methods, strategies or a name change to always make sure that they have a bright future.