Nephrotic Syndrome

What is nephrotic syndrome?

Nephrotic syndrome is a condition often characterized by the following:

• very high levels of protein in the urine
• low levels of protein in the blood
• swelling, especially around the eyes, feet, and hands
• high cholesterol

What causes nephrotic syndrome?

Generally, nephrotic syndrome results from damage to the kidneys’ glomeruli – the tiny blood vessels that filter waste and excess water from the blood and send them to the bladder as urine. However, in some cases, the cause remains unknown.

Nephrotic syndrome may occur with many diseases, including the kidney diseases caused by type 2 diabetes. Prevention of nephrotic syndrome relies on controlling these diseases.

Treatment for nephrotic syndrome:

Specific treatment for nephrotic syndrome will be determined by your physician based on:

• your age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the disease
• your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the disease
• your opinion or preference