
If this happens, you might need emergency dialysis - an artificial means of removing extra fluids and waste from your blood - typically with an artificial kidney machine (dialyzer). If your kidneys lose their ability to filter blood due to damage to the glomeruli, waste products can build up quickly in your blood. Damage to your glomeruli and the resulting buildup of excess body fluid can raise your blood pressure. You may also have too few red blood cells (anemia), low blood protein levels and low levels of vitamin D. This can lead to weight loss, which can be masked by edema. Loss of too much blood protein can result in malnutrition. At the same time, your liver releases more cholesterol and triglycerides.
When the level of the protein albumin in your blood falls, your liver makes more albumin.
High blood cholesterol and elevated blood triglycerides. This increases your risk of developing a blood clot in your veins. The inability of the glomeruli to filter blood properly can lead to loss of blood proteins that help prevent clotting. Possible complications of nephrotic syndrome include: Infections that increase the risk of nephrotic syndrome include HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and malaria. Medications that might cause nephrotic syndrome include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs used to fight infections. Certain diseases and conditions increase your risk of developing nephrotic syndrome, such as diabetes, lupus, amyloidosis, reflux nephropathy and other kidney diseases. Medical conditions that can damage your kidneys. Amyloid buildup often damages the kidneys' filtering system.įactors that can increase your risk of nephrotic syndrome include: This disorder occurs when amyloid proteins accumulate in your organs. This chronic inflammatory disease can lead to serious kidney damage. It can be associated with other medical conditions, such as lupus, hepatitis B, malaria and cancer, or it can occur for no known reason. The thickening is due to deposits made by the immune system. This kidney disorder is the result of thickening membranes within the glomeruli. Characterized by scarring of some of the glomeruli, this condition can result from another disease, a genetic defect or certain medications or occur for no known reason. The cause of the abnormal function typically can't be determined. Minimal change disease results in abnormal kidney function, but when the kidney tissue is examined under a microscope, it appears normal or nearly normal. This is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children. Diabetes can lead to kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy) that affects the glomeruli. Many diseases and conditions can cause glomerular damage and lead to nephrotic syndrome, including: When damaged, glomeruli allow too much blood protein to leave your body, leading to nephrotic syndrome. Healthy glomeruli keep blood protein (mainly albumin) - which is needed to maintain the right amount of fluid in your body - from seeping into your urine. The glomeruli filter your blood as it passes through your kidneys, separating things your body needs from those it doesn't. Nephrotic syndrome is usually caused by damage to the clusters of tiny blood vessels (glomeruli) of your kidneys. The condition causes swelling, particularly in your feet and ankles, and increases the risk of other health problems. Nephrotic syndrome is usually caused by damage to the clusters of small blood vessels in your kidneys that filter waste and excess water from your blood. Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes your body to pass too much protein in your urine. The excess water and waste become urine that flows to the bladder. The water, nutrients and minerals your body needs are transferred back to the bloodstream. The filtered solution then passes into another part of the nephron called the tubule. Large molecules, such as proteins and red blood cells, do not.
When blood flows into a glomerulus, tiny molecules - water, essential minerals and nutrients, and wastes - pass through the capillary walls. Each nephron contains a filter (glomerulus) that has a network of tiny blood vessels called capillaries. The kidneys remove waste and excess fluid from your blood through filtering units called nephrons.