Is nephrotic syndrome nauseating?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on May 07, 2025
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Nephrotic syndrome generally does not cause symptoms of nausea. Nephrotic syndrome refers to the damage to the glomerular capillaries of the patient, with the patient's 24-hour urinary protein quantification exceeding 3.5 grams, which indicates a substantial presence of urinary protein. This disease can cause edema in various parts of the body, such as the lower limbs, eyelids, and facial area. However, it generally does not cause digestive symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. If a patient exhibits such symptoms, it is necessary to be cautious as it may indicate the onset of acute renal failure due to nephrotic syndrome, or the presence of acute inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Patients with nephrotic syndrome generally may experience edema in the gastrointestinal tract, which could cause nausea, and it is important to be cautious of the possibility of other underlying causes.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
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Characteristics of Nephrotic Syndrome

The characteristic feature of nephrotic syndrome is that patients may experience edema, which is related to the nature of this disease. The essence of this disease is due to some reason that damages the glomerular capillary filtration barrier. As a result, when blood passes through the glomeruli, it leaks proteins from the blood. A 24-hour urinary protein quantification will exceed 3.5 grams, which constitutes a large amount of urinary protein. Consequently, a large amount of protein is leaked into the urine, causing the protein concentration in the plasma to decrease. This leads to a reduction in the colloidal osmotic pressure of the plasma, causing fluid to move from inside the blood vessels to outside, thus leading to edema. Therefore, the most significant clinical feature of nephrotic syndrome is the potential to cause edema, and severe cases of edema may elevate blood pressure, lead to pulmonary edema, manifesting as difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

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Nephrology
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How is nephrotic syndrome diagnosed?

Nephrotic syndrome is a general term for a group of clinical symptoms. Its primary diagnostic criteria include a 24-hour urine protein quantification of greater than or equal to 3.5 grams and plasma albumin less than or equal to 30 grams per liter; these two criteria are essential for the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome. Meeting these criteria is sufficient for the diagnosis. There are also two additional supporting diagnostic criteria for nephrotic syndrome, which include possible symptoms of edema and hyperlipidemia. These four elements are the main clinical manifestations and diagnostic criteria of nephrotic syndrome.

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Nephrology
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What to do if nephrotic syndrome causes leg pain?

Patients with nephrotic syndrome who experience leg pain mostly have conditions unrelated to nephrotic syndrome itself. It could be due to diseases of the skeletal or muscular system. However, some patients might experience leg pain due to thrombosis caused by nephrotic syndrome, leading to ischemia in the limbs. Also, long-term use of corticosteroids can lead to necrosis of the femoral head, osteoporosis, and pain. Therefore, treatment should be targeted based on the cause, such as using drugs to dissolve clots or interventional surgery for those with thrombosis. In severe cases of femoral head necrosis, a femoral head replacement surgery might be necessary, and it is important to supplement with calcium regularly.

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Written by Hu Lin
Nephrology
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Do you take steroids for nephrotic syndrome?

Once nephrotic syndrome is diagnosed, corticosteroid therapy becomes a primary treatment, and the commonly used steroid is prednisone. If there is liver damage or the treatment effect of prednisone is not good, oral prednisolone or intravenous methylprednisolone can be used. Due to its long half-life and severe side effects, dexamethasone is now generally less used. The course of treatment with corticosteroids for nephrotic syndrome is relatively long, needing about one to one and a half years. During this process, the use of steroids has three phases: the initial full-dose phase, during which a relatively large dose of the hormone is used for about two to three months; the second phase is a slow reduction process; the third phase is a low-dose maintenance process. Overall, during the use of steroids, patients must regularly follow up at outpatient clinics, and adjust the steroids according to the doctor's advice. One must not arbitrarily reduce the dose or stop the medication, as this can easily lead to a relapse of nephrotic syndrome.

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What should not be eaten with nephrotic syndrome?

Patients with nephrotic syndrome, if the patient has obvious edema, should limit salt intake to between two to three grams per day. It is suggested to consume foods rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as vegetable oils, as well as foods rich in soluble fiber, such as oats. They should also receive a normal amount of 0.8 to 1 gram of high-quality protein per kilogram of body weight per day, mainly from egg whites, milk, lean meat, and fish. Calorie intake should be sufficient, and patients with nephrotic syndrome should eat less salty and pickled foods and consume less animal fat.