Nephroticsyndrome is a group of symptoms that occur when your kidneys are not functioning as they should.

Treatment approaches for nephrotic syndrome are geared toward inducing remission.

In some patients, this requires drug therapy; in others, there is spontaneous remission.

A person’s ankles swollen from edema

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What Causes Nephrotic Syndrome?

However, the early signs are often subtle and easily attributed to other causes, such as heart disease.

The swelling and subsequent weight gain can also be missed if the person is overweight or hasobesity.

Thesurvival ratefor nephrotic syndrome is highly variable.

The most common cause of death is heart disease.

This includes pressing on swollen tissues with a thumb to see if it leaves an indentation.

Other treatments may be prescribed depending on the underlying cause of nephrotic syndrome.

A kidney specialist known as anephrologistoversees the treatment.

Medications

Different drugs treat various aspects of nephrotic syndrome.

This is especially true with conditions like hypoalbuminemia, which is mainly treated with diet.

Other dietary interventions can increase protein and lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

Working with a dietitian or qualifiednutritionistoften helps.

Is Nephrotic Syndrome Curable?

Technically, nephrotic syndrome is not “curable.”

This is not to say that all people experience nephrotic syndrome in the same way.

Even so, the likelihood of relapse after many years remains low.

In other cases, nephrotic syndrome is not curable.

Symptoms include fatigue, foamy urine, weight gain, puffy face, and swollen legs and feet.

Nephrotic syndrome can be diagnosed with a physical exam and a combination of urine and blood tests.

The treatment involves medications and diet that help ease symptoms and avoid disease progression.

Some cases resolve spontaneously.

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