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Nephrosis is an illness where the kidneys excrete protein via urine. (In normal functioning kidneys, large molecules like proteins and red blood cells are reabsorbed back into the blood stream.) In Nephrosis, proteinuria causes a drop in plasma proteins (specifically albumin) which in turn causes edema (fluid trapped in the intersitial space) or swelling. Nephrosis, also labeled as Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) is a result of fatty degeneration of the tubules around the glomeruli. The exact pathophysiology is unknown but it is associated with an immune pathogenesis.

How Nephrosis Causes Edema

The edema associated with this disease occurs due to the decrease in plasma proteins. Normally all proteins filtered through the kidneys will be reabsorbed back into the blood. But in case of NS, the degenerated glomeruli tubules will cause albuminuria and this sudden drop in plasma oncotic pressure will force plasma water to move from the ECF to the interstitial space. The edema is further increased by the RAAS system and ADH secretions. The kidney sensing a drop in plasma volume will reabsorb more water thus allowing more plasma water to move osmotically into the interstitial space.

Symptoms

Some symptoms of this disease are high protein levels in the urine, low protein levels in the blood, high cholesterol, swelling in the face, fingers, ankles and stomach. Nephrosis causes frequent urges to urinate. Nephrosis mainly affects children between the ages of 1 and 5, but also affects some adults. The disease comes back, but 80% of the time, it disappears before the person hits puberty. It is more common in boys than girls. This disease can be extremely complicated. It carries many risks to other organs, especially the heart. While treating this disease, the kidneys may fail. This is often treated by transplantation.

Nephrosis is caused by other diseases, so treating the disease should get rid of it. The symptoms are treated with diuretics, a drug that increases urination in order to get rid of the excess water.

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