Nephrotic syndrome refers to a condition in which the kidneys to secrete too much protein in the urine. According to PubMed Health, it usually affects children between the ages of 2 and 6 and affects males more often than females. Infection, conditions that are present at the time of birth, certain medications or chronic diseases like diabetes and lupus can cause this condition..
Normal Kidney Functioning
The normal function of the kidneys is to filter waste and water from about 200 quarts of blood each day, according to the National Kidney & Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The wastes in the blood come from the digestion of food and the breakdown of tissues during normal daily activity. When the kidneys are working properly, they filter wastes and water from blood but not protein. The wastes and water is excreted from the body as urine. One way to assess kidney function is to measure the presence of protein in the urine.
Protein
Proteins are essential to health because they provide amino acids to the body. Amino acids are necessary for metabolism. Certain amino acids are produced by the body, but you must obtain others from food. Amino acids that you must obtain from your diet are called essential amino acids. Sources of protein include meat, fish, beans, eggs and milk. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, most American diets include more than enough protein.
Treatment
The symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include fluid retention, which causes weight gain and swelling especially in face, abdomen, feet and ankles, as well as loss of appetite and high blood pressure. Treatment focuses on managing the symptoms and decreasing the rate of kidney damage. A combination of dietary changes and medications are used to treat the symptoms of nephrotic syndrome.
Diet
To manage fluid retention and swelling, a low-salt, moderate-protein diet is recommended. . Decreasing the amount of salt you consume helps control blood pressure and keeps your body from retaining fluid. You should pay attention to food labels and choose foods that contain 100 mg or less of sodium per serving. Protein intake is based on your body weight. You should consult with a registered dietitian to develop a customized diet plan.
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