Nephrotic syndrome is a disorder in which the patient’s kidneys are damaged, which causes them to leak large amounts of protein from the blood directly into the urine. This will be known as proteinuria if at least 3.5 grams are leaked, per day, per 1.73m2 of body surface area. Edema (swelling) will also be present.

Nephrotic syndrome will present itself as small pores in the kidneys that are large enough to permit proteinuria (and also hypoalbuminemia when albumin has also leaked from the blood into the urine). However, no blood cells are leaked since the pores are not large enough – therefore, there is no hematuria. With the disease nephritic syndrome, red blood cells pass through the pores – causing hematuria.

Hyperlipidemia is also present and is cause by two factors; Hypoproteinemia mimics liver protein synthesis and results in the over production of lipoproteins and lipid catabolism will decrease dues to lower levels of enzymes that aid in lipoprotein breakdown (lipoprotein lipase).

Other characteristics of nephrotic syndrome are; excess fluid due to serum hypoalbuminemia, which accumulates in the interstitial tissues – this, along with the retention of water and sodium will exacerbate the edema (swelling). This will show up as puffiness around the eyes (especially upon awakening. Swelling will also spread over the legs which will show up as small pits when the fluid is pressed out and will disappear after a few seconds. There will also be an accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity and peritoneal cavity (ascites).

Other symptoms that may develop include; foamy urine which will be due to a lowering of the urine’s surface tension (because of severe proteinuria). Urinary issues such as blood in the urine are more common with nephritic syndrome as opposed to nephrotic syndrome. Hypertension can develop – but this is rare. The underlying causes of this illness may also have its own symptoms, such as neuropathy which is associated with diabetes and rash associated with lupus erythematosus. A diagnosis would need to exclude other illnesses, such as hepatic and cardiovascular disorders.
There are many causes of nephrotic syndrome which may be diseases limited to the kidneys (primary nephrotic syndrome) or a disease that affects the kidneys and other body systems (secondary nephrotic syndrome).

Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.
For more information regarding nephrotic syndrome Social Security disability claims, you contact Amarillo, Texas disability lawyer Gerard Lynch, serving clients in Amarillo, Texas.