Nephrotic syndrome is the disease of kidney and is characterized by -
1-Heavy Proteinuria of >3.5g/1.73 5g/1.73 m square body surface area in 24 hours,
2-Hypoalbuminemia (decreased level of albumin in blood)
3-Oedema
3-Increased level of cholesterol
4-Hypercoagulable state of blood.
Etiology
a) Primary glomerular disease (idiopathic NS)
1. MINIMAL CHANGE DISEASE
2. FOCAL SEGMENTAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS
3. MEMBRANOUS NEPHROPATHY
4. MEMBRANOPROLIFERATIVE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS
5. MESANGIOPROLIFERATIVE GLOMERULONEPHRITIS
6. IgA NEPHROPATHY
b) Secondary nephrotic syndrome
1. Infection
2. Neoplasm
3. Drugs
4. Multi system disease
5. Heredofamilial and metabolic disease.
Features of the nephrotic syndrome
Both, children as well as adults are affected. It can occur at any age, and males are affected more than the females.
Hypoalbuminemia is a cardinal feature of NS. This is due to urinary loss of albumin. Several other plasma proteins are also lost in urine.
Symptoms of nephrotic syndrome
Generalized oedema and facial puffiness are the cardinal symptoms of nephrotic syndrome.
Effusion into serous cavities. Severity of oedema depends upon the severity of Proteinuria, duration and type of disease, dose of diuretics, etc.
Oedema first appears below the eyes and face, especially in the morning while waking up and appears on the lower leg and ankles by evening.
Oliguria (decreased urine output) - due to renal hypoperfusion is common, especially in the acute phase.
Hyperlipidemia is common in NS.
Fatigue and weakness and patient look pale.
High blood pressure-all the patients with nephrotic syndrome will have increased blood pressure.
Diet to be followed
Strict diet regulations should be followed as per the advice of the consulting doctor. Generally reduce salt and salted items,
Avoid sodium rich foods like celery, carrots, turnips and-
Canned foods, pickles, pastry, fast foods biscuits.
To compensate for the protein loss extra protein foods can be supplemented as per doctor’s advice.
Homeopathic treatment
In clinical experience, it is found that homeopathic medicines are highly effective for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome, and allopathic medicines won’t alone complete the cure. Moreover, there are complications for the conventional treatment.
Homeopathic medicines are highly effective to stop the proteinuria, controlling the oedema, and also it increases the hemoglobin count in the blood and there is a marked improvement in the general health of the patient.
The duration of the homeopathic treatment depends on the chronicity of the disease; extend of kidney damage, the severity of the symptoms, underlying disease conditions and also the general health of the patient.
Medicines usually indicated are-
Apis, Lycopodium, Eel serum, Digitalis, Lachesis, etc.
