About Nephrotic Syndrome
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Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder in which the kidneys do not function optimally because they are damaged. This causes them to leak large quantities of protein from the blood into the urine (proteinuria at least 3.5 grams per day per 1.73m2 body surface area). It is common to have swelling (edema) as there is excess fluid in the body and low levels of protein in the blood (hypoalbuminemia), high cholesterol (hyperlipidaemia) and a predisposition for coagulation.
A group of capillary blood vessels called the glomerulus are responsible to filter fluid from your blood and extracting both needed substance (potassium, sodium & phosphorus) and waste products. The needed substances are reabsorbed back into the bloodstream and wastes excreted through urine. While Nephrotic syndrome is not a disease the signs and symptoms may point to future kidney problems.
