Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome

Disease state

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a disorder kidney caused by a group of diseases characterized by increased permeability of the capillary walls of the kidney glomerulus leading to the presence of high levels of protein in the urine, low protein in the blood, ascites and in some cases, edema and cholesterol high and a predisposition for clotting. The Nephrotic syndrome is a set of symptoms and clinical signs caused by an alteration of renal glomeruli which entails a loss of protein in the urine of more than 3.5 grams per day. The syndrome is characterized by the triad: protein loss in blood, edema and hypercholesterolemia. The blood is cleaned by glomeruli. It is done when the glomeruli prevents the protein to enter the urine through blood. Less than 150 mg of proteins are lost each day in adults. Adult patients suffering from Nephrotic syndrome face a loss of proteins of about 3.5 grams in every 24 hours (www.patient.co.uk).

A primary or secondary injury occurring to the renal glomerulus changes its ability to filter the substances being transported in blood. Depending on the seriousness of the damage, the complications may have a negative effect on other organs. Under suitable treatments and the lesion types, a good prognosis can be subjected according to the patient's condition. One of the symptoms of Nephrotic syndrome is the swelling of tissues which occur when the loss of proteins occur in blood, water deposits and salt. The disease state of Nephrotic syndrome can occur at any age but normally it occurs in children aging between 2 and 8 years. According to the estimates, one in every 5,000 people suffers from Nephrotic syndrome.

The disease state of Nephrotic syndrome is easy to diagnose which is measured by the amount of protein in the urine. Measurements are taken within the 24 hours of urine where urine samples are required. Extent of damage to the kidneys is estimated when the percentage of chemicals of wastes like urea and creatinine is measured in urine. Those cases which do not respond to the treatments require kidney biopsy. The condition of Nephrotic syndrome can also occur from genetic disorders, cancer, and use of certain drugs, immune disorders and infections such as hepatitis, mononucleosis and strep throat (DeBruyne, 2007).

Medical treatment

The symptomatic treatment involves the administration of loop diuretics (such as furosemide), also in high doses. It must be strictly controlled in order ...