Endocrine - Nephrotic Syndrome Flashcards
What is nephrotic syndrome?
A condition that causes kidneys to leak large amounts of protein into urine - oedema and chance of catching infections
What are the symptoms of nephrotic syndrome?
Swelling - reduces flow of water from body tissues back into blood vessels - oedema
Infections - high chance of catching infection due to loss of protein antibodies
Urine changes - higher levels of urine - can be frothy
Blood clots - Proteins that prevent blood clotting lost so risk increases
What is the biological explanation of nephrotic syndrome?
Kidneys don’t work as proteins are leaked into urine
Loss of protein through the kidneys is due to an increase in permeability of the filtering membrane of kidney
Leads to low protein levels in blood leading o water drawn into soft tissues = oedema
What is the cause of nephrotic syndrome?
Kidney damage from diabetes or sickle cell anemia
Infections such as HIV or hepatitis
Certain types of cancer e.g. leukaemia or lymphoma
Inherited faulty gene
How can nephrotic system be monitored?
Diagnosed by urine sample - levels of proteins
Blood test shows albumin levels
Kidney biopsy
How can nephrotic system be treated?
Steroids - reduce inflammation + immune response
Diuretic tablets - Reduce water retention
ACE inhibitors - Reduce high BP due to fluid imbalance
Immunosuppressant drugs - reduce immune response
Surgery - kidney transplant
Dialysis - removal of waste products by machine
