What is Nephrotic Syndrome?

Nephrotic Syndrome is a kidney condition that involves very high levels of protein in the urine (proteinuria), low levels of protein in the blood, swelling from a buildup of fluids in the body and high cholesterol. One of the primary symptoms of Nephrotic Syndrome is fluid retention. Protein is partly responsible for helping the body keep its fluid balance.

Protein is normally filtered through the kidneys and absorbed into the blood. Normally, protein is too large to fit through the kidneys' filters. However, when the kidneys do not work properly, protein can leak into the urine instead of being absorbed by the body. As a result, there is no longer enough protein remaining in the blood to maintain a healthy fluid balance and water build up in the body. This is called edema, and if you have it, you may experience swelling in your ankles, hands, or around your eyes. Severe swelling can also develop in the legs, abdomen, and back, and may even affect your breathing if there is fluid around your lungs.

A routine urinalysis showing excess protein in your urine is the way most people find out they have Nephrotic Syndrome. Next, your doctor may determine that it is necessary for you to have a kidney biopsy. This will help your doctor make a firm diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome and learn what is causing it so it can be treated.

Controlling nephrotic syndrome is achieved by controlling the disease that caused it. For example, if you are a diabetic, controlling your diet and blood sugar levels could prevent damage to the kidneys that are often associated with nephrotic syndrome. If high cholesterol and high blood pressure are a possible cause, reducing either of them may help. However, in many cases the cause according to western medicine is not known, and treatment varies according to symptoms.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and other Eastern medicine philosophies have very different views on the cause of nephrotic syndrome. Instead of looking at this condition via specific physical symptoms, eastern medicine practitioners focus on identifying specific imbalances within the individual’s body in order to prescribe the appropriate course of herbal combinations or dietary recommendations.*