Nephrotic Syndrome is a form of kidney disorder that usually causes the body to excrete way too many amounts of protein through the urine. This problem is generated when the cluster of blood vessels typically small ones in the kidneys are damaged. These blood vessels are responsible for filtering waste and excess water off the blood from the body. The early symptoms of this problems come in the form of swelling in the feet and ankle areas. However, if this problem is left untreated for extended periods, it could increase the risk of other health problems.
Symptoms of the Nephrotic Syndrome –
- Severe swelling of the ankles, feet and sometimes around the eye area. This swelling condition is also known as oedema.
- The urine of the patient becomes foamy, and the general understanding of such a problem is due to excess excretion of protein in the urine
- Due to excess fluid retention in the body, the patient tends to gain weight
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
Cause of Nephrotic syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome, as mentioned earlier is mainly caused when there is some form of damage to the small blood vessels of the kidneys. A part of the kidney known as the glomeruli filter, which is responsible for filtering waste and essentially separates things the body needs from the things it does not. This filter is known to retain blood protein, something that is essential to maintain the right amount of fluid in the body and not let it seep into the urine. The glomeruli filter, when it becomes damaged, causes too much blood protein to leave the body through the urine, and thus causing nephrotic syndrome.
There could be other causes for this problem, as there are many known medical conditions as well as factors that can cause damage to the glomerular.
Minimal change disease
One of the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome, particularly in children. Minimal change disease leads to the kidney functioning somewhat abnormally. However, in cases of the minimal disease, when the diagnosis is performed under the microscope, there appear no symptoms, and hence it becomes harder to determine what is affecting kidney functionality.
Diabetic Kidney disease
Diabetes, as the deadly disease it is, can lead to many problems in different sections of the body including the kidneys. Diabetes is known to affect the glomeruli, thus becoming a cause of nephrotic syndrome.
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
This is when scattered scarring characterises the glomeruli. This condition is usually a result of another disease or a genetic condition.
Membranous nephropathy
This kidney disorder is the result of thickening membranes within the glomeruli. There has been evidence that this condition could be due to another disease or a genetic defect, but there is no absolute evidence of its exact cause. Alternatively, occur for no known reason. Medical conditions, such as hepatitis B, malaria, lupus and cancer.
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic inflammatory disease, which is known to be one of the leading causes of severe kidney damage.
The ones mentioned above are some of the most common factors leading to nephrotic syndrome in patients. However, the causes are not restricted to only those mentioned above, as there are plenty more. Consult your doctor if you observe any of the common symptoms mentioned for Nephrotic syndrome, as in many cases the damage becomes too much to handle if the problem does not get timely and appropriate treatments.
About the Hospital:
Sai Siva Childrens Hospital, Chanda Nagar, is a full-fledged medical facility specially designed for pediatric patients as well as young adults. The hospital was started in the year 2008, with the aim of reaching out to schools and villages to educate the middle and high school students about health & hygiene. Sai Siva Children’s Hospital in Hyderabad is one of the most sought after children’s hospitals in Hyderabad with a team of experienced doctors and skilled staff who aim to help your child have healthy growth and development. We believe that children today are the future of our world, and must have good health to make the world a better place to live in.