{"id":18389,"date":"2021-01-28T08:00:25","date_gmt":"2021-01-28T13:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=18389"},"modified":"2021-10-14T15:10:46","modified_gmt":"2021-10-14T19:10:46","slug":"nephrotic-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/nephrotic-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"What is nephrotic syndrome? Causes, symptoms, and treatments"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many diseases that correlate with poor kidney function. If you start noticing that your ankles are swelling, you\u2019re nauseous, or having trouble sleeping\u2014it can be difficult to pinpoint why your body isn&#8217;t working at it&#8217;s best. These are just a few signs of kidney damage, and there are many possible causes. Nephrotic syndrome is just one of them. What is nephrotic syndrome? Read on to learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is nephrotic syndrome?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nephrotic syndrome occurs when your kidney\u2019s filtering system isn\u2019t working as well as it should. This kidney damage allows protein normally found in your blood plasma to spill into urine. The result is too much protein in your urine (proteinuria) and too little protein in your blood. The loss of protein from the bloodstream allows fluid that the protein usually holds in place to leak into the body, causing swelling (also known as edema).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s a fairly rare condition that affects just <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=7jWXRrH_MygC&amp;pg=PA101#v=onepage&amp;q=100%2C000&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5 per 100,000 individuals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but when it\u2019s unmanaged, it can wreak havoc on other bodily systems. Complications of nephrotic syndrome include increased risk of blood clots, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, anemia, and susceptibility to infection. Nephrotic syndrome is autoimmune-based in certain scenarios, but not all. With appropriate treatment, the prognosis is good. When left untreated, it can become severe and cause kidney failure or death.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Causes<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are clusters of tiny blood vessels (called glomeruli) in your kidneys that filter your blood as it passes through this organ. Damage to the glomeruli is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome. However, there are many conditions that can result in glomerular damage, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Diabetic kidney disease<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is otherwise known as diabetic nephropathy. About <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.niddk.nih.gov\/health-information\/diabetes\/overview\/preventing-problems\/diabetic-kidney-disease\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a quarter of all diabetics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (both Type 1 and Type 2) eventually develop a kidney disease that can damage glomeruli.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Minimal change disease <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is an idiopathic syndrome, meaning the cause of abnormal function can\u2019t be determined. It gets its name because the changes to kidneys are so minimal they are not detectable in a kidney biopsy. It\u2019s the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children, responsible for more than 90% of children diagnosed. Many children outgrow minimal change disease, but some bring it into adulthood. It&#8217;s less common for adults, comprising only 10%\u201315% of nephrotic syndrome cases. Though the cause is often unknown, it can be triggered by viral infections, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), tumors, and other allergic reactions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is a progressive disease that targets specific, segmented parts of the kidney. Of all adults with nephrotic syndrome, FSGS accounts for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/rarediseases.org\/rare-diseases\/focal-segmental-glomerulosclerosis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">40% of them<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For children, FSGS accounts for 20% of cases. FSGS can be caused by sickle cell disease, infections, drug interactions, obesity, toxic substances, and (rarely) inherited abnormal genes. NBA player Alonzo Mourning famously received a kidney transplant for FSGS, prompting him to retire from the league in 2003.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">specifically affects the kidney&#8217;s glomeruli. When enough protein filters out into the urine, patients receive a nephrotic syndrome diagnosis. It can occur in all ages, but the disease is most concentrated in individuals aged 50\u201360. A solid <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.glomerularcenter.org\/PATIENT%20INFORMATION\/membranousmore.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30% of patients<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with PMN are able to improve their condition with no treatment whatsoever. However, another 30% have a progressive condition that will eventually require dialysis or a kidney transplant. For those without diabetes, PMN is the most common source of nephrotic syndrome in adults. It&#8217;s rare in children. PMN can be caused by autoimmune diseases, viral infections, medications, and tumors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the most common type of lupus. It is a chronic inflammatory disease that can lead to kidney damage. Other types of lupus may also be etiological of nephrotic syndrome, like lupus podocytopathy and lupus nephritis.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Amyloidosis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> occurs when there is amyloid protein buildup in a patient&#8217;s organs. It&#8217;s an abnormal protein and can be formed from various combinations of proteins.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nephrotic syndrome occurs in children and adults, but often for different reasons. Children are most likely to be diagnosed with minimal change disease. Adults most frequently have a nephrotic syndrome diagnosis stemming from diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Risk factors\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of these diseases damage the filtering system in the body&#8217;s kidneys. Additionally, there are factors that increase risk of developing nephrotic syndrome:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Medical diagnoses:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sickle cell disease, diabetes, cancer, and lupus all make it more likely you could develop nephrotic syndrome.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Medications:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> NSAIDs, several antibiotics, and some other medications increase risk for kidney damage. Ingesting certain toxic substances can also lead to kidney damage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Infections:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and malarial all increase risk for nephrotic syndrome.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking stock of your pre-existing conditions can help you better determine if you&#8217;re at risk for nephrotic syndrome. Additionally, determining what\u2019s causing the damage can help healthcare providers better to treat their patients.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the different causes, there are a handful of symptoms that can guide you toward a nephrotic syndrome diagnosis. &#8220;When you have three grams of protein in the urine, plus high cholesterol, plus swelling or edema, then that is what nephrotic syndrome is,&#8221; explains <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/emeraldcoastmedicalassociation.com\/doctors_directory\/ahmad-oussama-rifai-md\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ahmad Oussama Rifai, MD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a nephrologist and clinical hypertension specialist and founder of The Virtual Nephrologist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key symptoms include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Edema, or swelling, especially of the ankles, feet, face, and abdomen\u2014but can occur\u00a0 elsewhere in the body<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foamy urine caused by an excess amount of protein in urine\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fluid retention that causes weight gain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High cholesterol caused by your body trying to replenish lost proteins (such as lipids or anti-clotting proteins)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequent infections<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Malnutrition<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When these signs are &#8220;coupled with a low serum protein level called albumin,&#8221; it\u2019s another key indicator for nephrotic syndrome, according to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/barry-gorlitsky-94106545\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Barry Gorlitsky, MD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, nephrologist at Carolina Nephrology and CEO of KidneyAide.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When to call your healthcare provider<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;If you notice frothy urine, like the foam from pouring a beer, and or increased swelling, it is time to see a doctor,&#8221; says Dr. Gorlitsky. When you visit a healthcare provider, your physician will likely run blood tests and urine tests (or urinalysis).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Rifai elaborates about testing: &#8220;Urinalysis is the cheapest test in medicine in the history of mankind with the amount of information it gives you. It is literally a $0.07 test that gives you 10 pieces of information, including diabetes, protein in the urine, blood in the urine, bilirubin, liver disease, jaundice, muscle weakness.&#8221; Nephrotic syndrome is just one disease that urine tests help to detect. This test can be done at home or in the doctor\u2019s office.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A kidney biopsy can also help to figure out the underlying cause behind your symptoms. The diagnosis can be a complicated process when a kidney biopsy doesn&#8217;t provide enough information, or results in light microscopy (when you can&#8217;t see anything of note in a normal biopsy). Then, Dr. Rafai explains a doctor might do special stains, electron microscopy, or immune microscopy. \u201cBased on that, we will decide what is the etiology and how to treat this,&#8221; Dr. Rifai says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you receive a diagnosis of minimal change disease from a single biopsy, you may want to request a second biopsy from a different piece of the kidney. This is because FSGS (which is focal and segmental, as the name suggests) occurs in some parts of the kidney, but not others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Rifai likens the kidney to a garden, which may have separate segments of bushes, flowers, and trees. He adds, &#8220;If you&#8217;re unlucky enough to take a biopsy from a normal kidney part, then you will label it as minimal change disease but it&#8217;s actually FSGS.&#8221; Because FSGS is progressive, this can prove dangerous.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED:<\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/creatinine-levels\/\"><b>Creatinine tests, normal ranges, and how to lower levels<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to manage nephrotic syndrome<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every person with nephrotic syndrome is different, but as there are many causes, there are many potential treatments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b>Vitamin D:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This nutrient helps regulate kidney function. Nephrotic syndrome patients often use Vitamin D supplements, in addition to natural sources, to help them in their treatment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b> Dietary changes:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Physicians often recommend nutritional adjustments to reduce protein in urine and extra fluid retention. In particular, patients may go on a low-sodium diet (usually less than 1,000 mg of sodium per day) as well as reduced protein intake. It\u2019s also a good idea to limit consumption of saturated fats.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/high-triglycerides-treatment-options\/\"><b>High triglyceride treatment options<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><b> Medication: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several types of medication that your healthcare provider may prescribe, depending on the primary causes of your symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steroids to help reduce the kidneys&#8217; glomeruli inflammation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immune system modulators to help correct underlying metabolic problems, such as lupus or diabetes medications<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to reduce high blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diuretics, or water pills, to reduce fluid retention and swelling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood thinners, or anticoagulants, to reduce the risk of clotting<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are only a few drugs meant specifically for nephrotic syndrome. Most of these medications are used off-label to alleviate symptoms of the condition.<\/span><\/p>\n<table class=\" singlecare-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><strong><span class=\"title\">Medications that treat nephrotic syndrome <\/span><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"header-row\">\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Drug name<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Drug class<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>How it works<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Get coupon<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prinivil, Qbrelis, Zestril (lisinopril)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACE inhibitors<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces blood pressure<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/lisinopril\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lotensin (benazepril)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACE inhibitors<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces blood pressure<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/lotensin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vasotec (captopril\/enalapril)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACE inhibitors<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces blood pressure<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/vasotec\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lasix (furosemide)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diuretics<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decreases fluid retention to reduce swelling<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/lasix\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aldactone, Carospir (spironolactone)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Receptor antagonists<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decreases fluid retention to reduce swelling<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/spironolactone\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zaroxolyn (hydrochlorothiazide or metolazone)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thiazides<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decreases fluid retention to reduce swelling<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/hydrochlorothiazide\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lipitor (atorvastatin)\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces cholesterol<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/lipitor\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lescol XL (fluvastatin)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces cholesterol<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/lescol-xl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Altoprev (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lovastatin)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces cholesterol<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/lovastatin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pravachol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (pravastatin)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces cholesterol<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/pravachol\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crestor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (rosuvastatin)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces cholesterol<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/crestor\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zocor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (simvastatin)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces cholesterol<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/zocor\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jantoven<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (warfarin)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anticoagulants<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimizes blood clot risk<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/jantoven\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pradaxa<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (dabigatran)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Direct thrombin inhibitors<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimizes blood clot risk<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/pradaxa\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eliquis<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (apixaban)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Factor Xa inhibitors<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimizes blood clot risk<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/eliquis\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xarelto<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (rivaroxaban)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Factor Xa inhibitors<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimizes blood clot risk<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/xarelto\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rituxan<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (rituximab)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monoclonal antibodies<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduces harmful antibodies that cause inflammation<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/rituxan\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prednisolone<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (prednisone<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Corticosteroids<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Induces remission by resolving proteinuria<\/span><\/td>\n<td><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/prednisone\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get coupon<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even when your symptoms are well-managed by diet, supplements, and medication, you must stay vigilant for symptoms in the future. Dr. Gorlitsky says, &#8220;Often we would continue to do surveillance periodically to be sure there are no flare-ups.&#8221; This gives patients and their medical team the opportunity to manage those flare-ups as they come.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are many diseases that correlate with poor kidney function. If you start noticing that your ankles are swelling, you\u2019re nauseous, or having trouble sleeping\u2014it can be difficult to pinpoint why your body isn&#8217;t working at it&#8217;s best. These are just a few signs of kidney damage, and there are many possible causes. Nephrotic syndrome [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":18165,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8029],"tags":[],"coauthors":[19908],"class_list":["post-18389","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-education","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is nephrotic syndrome? Causes, symptoms, treatments<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Although rare, nephrotic syndrome has many causes. 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