Causes of vomiting in nephrotic syndrome

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on March 15, 2025
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Patients with nephrotic syndrome may experience vomiting for several possible reasons. First, nephrotic syndrome causes severe edema in patients, including edema of the gastrointestinal tract. This state of edema may lead to reduced gastrointestinal motility and symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Furthermore, patients with nephrotic syndrome have low plasma protein levels and poor immune function, making them prone to infections. If there is an infection in the gastrointestinal tract, patients may exhibit clinical symptoms of vomiting as well as potentially experiencing diarrhea, abdominal pain, and so on. Additionally, some patients experience vomiting due to the side effects of medications used during the treatment of nephrotic syndrome.

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Written by Hu Lin
Nephrology
1min 19sec home-news-image

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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Written by Zhang Hui
Nephrology
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Characteristics of Nephrotic Syndrome

The characteristics of nephrotic syndrome are defined by significant proteinuria, where significant proteinuria refers to urinary protein exceeding 3.5 grams in 24 hours; hypoproteinemia, which refers to blood albumin levels below 30 grams per liter; edema, which may present in facial and lower limbs, and even severe patients may exhibit generalized edema around both lower limbs; and hyperlipidemia, characterized by increased cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. These patients may exhibit reduced urine output, edema, and noticeably increased foam in the urine.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
40sec home-news-image

Can nephrotic syndrome be clinically cured?

Nephrotic syndrome, a disease that clinically cannot be completely cured, is a chronic illness with no concept of cure. However, with appropriate treatment plans, many patients can achieve effective relief. There are two criteria for judging treatment effectiveness: first, the patient's 24-hour urinary protein quantification is controlled below 0.5 grams, and even can be controlled below 0.3 grams. Second, the patient's 24-hour urinary protein quantification is reduced by more than half compared to the baseline value. Both scenarios indicate effective treatment, but achieving a complete cure is difficult.

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Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
46sec home-news-image

Causes of vomiting in nephrotic syndrome

Patients with nephrotic syndrome may experience vomiting for several possible reasons. First, nephrotic syndrome causes severe edema in patients, including edema of the gastrointestinal tract. This state of edema may lead to reduced gastrointestinal motility and symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Furthermore, patients with nephrotic syndrome have low plasma protein levels and poor immune function, making them prone to infections. If there is an infection in the gastrointestinal tract, patients may exhibit clinical symptoms of vomiting as well as potentially experiencing diarrhea, abdominal pain, and so on. Additionally, some patients experience vomiting due to the side effects of medications used during the treatment of nephrotic syndrome.

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home-news-image
Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
44sec home-news-image

Is nephrotic syndrome prone to recurrence?

Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by more than 3.5 grams of proteinuria in 24 hours and a serum albumin concentration lower than 30 grams per liter. Treatment of this disease should be aimed at the cause, with most patients suffering from primary nephrotic syndrome related to immune dysfunction, therefore often requiring treatment with steroids. Indeed, some patients easily experience relapses; after a period of steroid treatment, proteinuria may decrease or even turn negative. However, upon cessation of the medication or during occurrences like a cold, some patients may suffer from relapses. Not all patients respond this way, as some are dependent on steroids.