Nephrotic Syndrome: Early Stage Symptoms Vs. Later Stage Symptoms

Nephrotic syndrome is an indication of malfunctioning kidneys. It is not a disease, but a sign that something is causing kidney damage. Individuals with nephrotic syndrome will have high protein levels in their urine, high cholesterol and low blood protein levels. Those who go untreated will eventually experience kidney failure. Nephrotic syndrome typically occurs in children between eighteen months and eight years of age, but it can occur at any age. The symptoms of nephrotic syndrome occur in two stages: early stage and later stage. However, many patients with nephrotic syndrome experience no symptoms.

Nephrotic Syndrome: Early Stage Symptoms

Patients who experience symptoms with nephrotic syndrome will experience the early stage symptoms first. Both adults and children will experience the same symptoms, but the early symptoms of nephrotic syndrome will vary, in frequency and severity, from patient to patient. The early stage symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include swelling that occurs in the tissues in the ankles and feet and around the eyes. Patients may also experience swelling in the lungs. When they experience swelling in the lungs, it can be difficult for them to breath. Other areas of the body such as the chest, abdomen and hands can swell as well.

Later Stage Symptoms

Patients who experience symptoms with nephrotic syndrome will experience the later stage symptoms as the syndrome progresses. The later stage symptoms include the early stage symptoms such as swelling around the eyes, swollen abdomen, swollen feet and ankles, swollen chest, swelling in the lungs, swollen hands and swollen eyelids. Due to the swelling in the lungs, breathing can become difficult in this stage as well. Other later stage symptoms of nephrotic syndrome include lipids in the urine, protein in the urine, frothy urine, low serum protein, muscle atrophy, high cholesterol, weight loss, fluid retention and edema, loss of appetite, high blood cholesterol, high blood fats, decrease in urine output, low blood protein levels, weakness and malaise.

Nephrotic Syndrome: Potential Complications

Those with nephrotic syndrome are at risk for potentially serious complications, especially those experiencing the later stage symptoms of nephrotic syndrome. Potential complications include delayed growth (in children), blood clots in the veins and arteries, increased triglyceride or cholesterol blood levels, poor kidney function that could become chronic kidney disease, infections such as cellulitis, peritonitis and sepsis, and kidney failure.

Resources

Wrong Diagnosis. (2009). Symptoms of Nephrotic Syndrome. Retrieved on June 17, 2009 from website: https://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/n/nephrotic_syndrome/symptoms.htm#symptom_list

WebMD. (2007). Nephrotic Syndrome. Retrieved on June 17, 2009 from website: https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/nephrotic-syndrome-topic-overview