Nephrotic syndrome is a group of symptoms, including nephrotic-range proteinuria with a low serum albumin level and edema. Nephrotic range proteinuria means there is 3 grams or more per day of protein into the urine. The disease has many causes, such as minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and membranous glomerulonephritis. In addition, there are some primary conditions also which affect the other organs along with the kidneys; they may include diabetes, amyloidosis, and lupus erythematosus.

What are the signs that can help confirm nephrotic syndrome?

The following are the signs that can tell about the existence of nephrotic syndrome include:

• Proteinuria: Too much protein in the urine
• Hyperlipidemia: High fat and cholesterol levels in the blood
• Edema: Swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles which extends to face and hands
• Hypoalbuminemia: Low levels of albumin in the blood

Causes

At some time, there are some conditions that influence your kidney function only. Doctors refer to such conditions as the primary cause of the nephrotic syndrome. On the other hand, the secondary cause of nephrotic syndrome affects the different parts of the body other than the kidneys.

Diabetic kidney disease: Diabetes can prompt kidney damage as too much blood sugar level can damage the blood vessels related to the kidneys.

Minimal change disease: MCD is one of the prevalent causes of nephrotic syndrome that results in the abnormality in the kidney function. But MCD remains undisclosed as when the tissues are examined under the microscope; they tend to appear normal. The cause is not known until now.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: Results because of the scarring of the parts of the glomeruli, which extends to the other parts over time. The cause of inflammation can be a genetic defect, or it may also result from some other disease.

Systemic lupus: It is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the healthy tissues of the parts of the body.

Membranous nephropathy: The thickening of the membranes within the glomeruli results in the development of the nephrotic syndrome. The exact cause of nephropathy is not known but is believed to have occurred because of some other health condition such as hepatitis B, malaria, lupus, and cancer.

Amyloidosis: The accumulation of the amyloid proteins in the organs causes amyloidosis. This situation affects the kidneys and injures the healthy filters of the kidneys.

A blood clot in a kidney vein: Renal vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot occurs in the vein connected to the kidneys, thereby causing nephrotic syndrome.

Risk factors

Medications: Certain medications can also inflame the glomeruli and obstruct the filtration process of the kidneys. These may include NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, etc.

Infections: Infections can also increase the risk of protein leak during nephrotic syndrome. These may include hepatitis B, C, malaria, etc.

Nephrotic syndrome may also develop in those with some other kidney disease, such as IgA nephropathy or glomerular disease. Untreated NS may evolve to renal failure.

Diagnosis

Test and procedures to screen nephrotic syndrome include:

Urine tests: A urinalysis can tell abnormalities in the urine, such as the level of albumin in the protein. A 24-hour urine test is done to measure the protein in the urine.

Blood tests: A blood test may help reveal the levels of protein in the blood. Hypoalbuminemia is a condition that develops when the nephrotic syndrome occurs. Apart from that, the blood has an increased cholesterol and triglycerides levels in the event of nephrotic syndrome.

A kidney biopsy: A kidney biopsy is a procedure done to remove a small sample of kidney tissue for examination under the microscope.

Nephrotic syndrome ayurvedic treatment

The ayurvedic medicines help patients to release the signs and causes of nephrotic syndrome with the use of herbs only. According to Ayurveda, the disease mainly occurs because of the mithya ahaar vihaar, which means the intake of wrong combinations of foods for an extended period of time. Such mix match of the food produces some unwanted products in the body, which results in the damage of the cells and tissues related to the kidneys.

So, the focus of ayurvedic medicine is to correct the production of AMA in the body. The diet, which is the main component of the Nephrotic syndrome ayurvedic treatment, is suggested to the patients keeping in mind their life energy or doshas. The incompatible foods which should not be taken together are restricted to those patients, such as the consumption of milk along with sour fruits which also produce unwanted substances in the body.

Nephrotic syndrome ayurvedic medicines influence the function of the kidneys or their cell to work with full efficiency and to revive the damaged cells.

The herbs that are used in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome include:

Gokshuradi Guggul: Gokshuradi is a combination of herbs that strengthen the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. It is known for its reviving effects on the kidneys.

Kasani: Kaasni helps to make a balance between Pitta and Kapha dosha while supporting healthy kidney function.

Rakt Chandan: Known for its diuretic properties, Rakt Chandan helps to compensate for the loss of body water because of its diuretic properties.

Punarnava: Punarnava has special effects on the heart, which promotes healthy blood flow to the entire body, including the kidneys. Besides, it also helps in the revival of the kidney from conditions like nephrotic syndrome, Glomerulonephritis, and renal failure.

Gokhru: This herb works on the tissues related to the kidneys and damages the rejuvenate them. Due to its diuretic properties, this herb also helps to break renal stones.

For more information, visit Karma Ayurveda Hospital, an ayurvedic kidney care hospital in Delhi, India.