The kidneys and nephrotic syndrome

What is the function of our kidneys?  The kidneys are a very important organ in the body. There are typically two kidneys located in your lower back. They are responsible for getting rid of waste products, drugs, and toxins through our urine.

Your kidneys also:

• Regulate electrolyte (salt) concentrations
• Regulate amount of fluid within the body
• Help regulate blood pressure
• Help maintain acid-base balance
• Produce hormones that affect blood and bones

• A kidney is composed of tiny units called nephrons
• Nephrons consist of glomeruli and tubules 
• Glomeruli are small blood vessels that filter wastes and excess fluids
• Tubules collect the waste to form urine

*When glomeruli become damaged, many problems can arise leading to glomerular disease.

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is not a disease itself, but rather a set of signs and symptoms that result from defects in the kidney filters (glomeruli).  Patients with nephrotic syndrome often experience:

• Low blood protein due to leakage/spilling in the urine
• High levels of protein in urine ("spilling protein")
• Swelling, typically around the eyes, feet, and hands
• Less frequent urination
• Weight gain from excess water

Other consequences of losing protein in the urine:

• Build up of water in tissues leads to swelling
• Loss of  anti-clotting proteins increases risk of blood clots
• Loss of  vitamin D binding proteins increases risk of bone diseases
• Loss of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and complement increases risk of infections

Types of Nephrotic Syndrome

• Minimal Change Disease (MCD) – most common in children
• Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
• Membranous Nephropathy (MN) - most common in adults
• Other Glomerular Diseases
  • Membranoproliferative
  • Mesangial Proliferative
  • Proliferative Glomerulonephritis
  • Focal Global Sclerosis

Nephrotic Syndrome can be "primary" or "secondary" in nature.

Primary or Idiopathic NS means the cause is unknown.

• Genetics plays a role in some cases

Secondary NS  is associated with some underlying cause or condition.  You may have secondary nephrotic syndrome if you have also been diagnosed with one of the following:

• Vasculitis: Lupus                             
• Infection: Hepatitis, HIV, CMV, others                  
• Metabolic disorder: Diabetes
• Cancer: Lymphoma
• Medications, toxins, IV drug abuse

To provide the up-to-date and comprehensive information on Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS, NephCure has compiled fact sheets and brochures based on scientific information from the field of Nephrology.  This is NOT medical advice, and it is very important that this information not replace medical advice:

• Click here to read Nephrotic Syndrome facts
• Click here to access FSGS facts
• Click here to learn about Minimal Change Disease facts
• Click here to read diet and nutrition facts
• Click here to access our glossary
•  Click here to download brochures
• Click here to request materials    

  How does research help?
At this time, we simply do not know enough about primary nephrotic syndrome.  NephCure is committed to supporting research on primary nephrotic syndrome to find better treatments, the cause, and the cure for these conditions. 

Research allows for understanding the causes, providing accurate diagnoses, developing effective treatment plans, and hopefully finding a cure. See how you can help.

How NephCure money is spent:
NephCure has supported some of the best, most collaborative and newest research studies and conferences in the field of Nephrology. Through research and collaboration, the gap in knowledge between the disease and the treatment is closing. Click here to see a chart on how NephCure money is spent.