Nephrotic and nephritic syndrome: differences

Both nephritic syndrome and nephrotic syndrome are considered the primary renal syndromes in which there are modifications in the structure and functionality of the kidney. Any person who suffers from renal syndrome will also require a complete medical assessment and the performance of complementary paraclinical tests to identify what disease we are talking about.

On the one hand, nephrotic syndrome has three fundamental characteristics: the presence of blood in the urine, increased tension, and fluid retention. On the other hand, nephrotic syndrome consists of eliminating proteins through the urine, which generates swelling, increased blood pressure, and eventually kidney failure.

To expand all the characteristics of each syndrome and to know the differences between nephrotic syndrome and nephritic syndrome, continue reading this article by FastlyHeal.

Nephritic syndrome: what is it, causes and symptoms

Nephritic syndrome results from inflammation of the kidney, specifically its filters, which are medically known as glomeruli. It can be said that nephritic syndrome manifests glomerulonephritis and glomerular inflammation.

This inflammation occurs as an inflammatory response to a post-streptococcal infection, associated with diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and, in other cases, without any related cause.

Before talking about the differences between nephrotic and nephrotic syndrome, we must know what the symptoms of each of them are.

The nephrotic syndrome has been defined by blood in the urine, increased blood pressure, renal failure with oliguria or decreased urine, swelling or edema, and a paraclinical sign called serum creatinine.

How these symptoms appear is variable, they do not always appear all simultaneously, so their diagnosis may be doubtful. An assessment of the signs and a medical examination will always be required. The following medical tests will be necessary:

• Blood test.
• Urine test.
• Immunological, skin, or culture tests to determine the associated cause.

Nephrotic syndrome: what is it, causes and symptoms

On the other hand, nephrotic syndrome consists of kidney involvement that causes the deliberate excretion of proteins, which is medically known as proteinuria, caused by damage to the kidney filters or glomeruli.

When the glomerulus is healthy, it filters the blood, and what the body does not need is eliminated through the urine. Albumin, a necessary protein for the body, is usually retained. When the glomerulus or filter fails, it cannot contain proteins; albumin is the most representative. This is caused by causes such as:

• Diabetic nephropathy: a complication of diabetes mellitus that affects the glomeruli.
• Glomerulosclerosis: a disease characterized by scarring of some glomeruli as a reaction to another condition, usually genetic or idiopathic.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus: whose complication can lead to kidney involvement.

Likewise, some factors can increase the risk of suffering from nephrotic syndrome:

• Having diabetes mellitus.
• Having amyloidosis.
• Having other kidney diseases.
• Consume medications such as NSAIDs.
• Be HIV positive.
• Have hepatitis B or C.

The specialist will probably order some medical tests to diagnose the nephrotic syndrome, which may include:

• Urine test.
• Blood test to show hypoalbuminemia.
• In some cases, a kidney biopsy will be necessary.

Nephrotic and nephrotic syndrome: differences

The main differences between nephritic and nephrotic syndrome are:

Nephritic syndrome

1. Age: mainly affects children under five years of age.
2. Prevalent cause: The most common reason for the nephritic syndrome is a Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus infection.
3. Appearance: abrupt.
4. There is inflammation of the glomeruli resulting in an alteration in their functionality.
5. The loss of protein in urine is <40 mg / h.
6. There is blood loss through urine or hematuria.
7. Serum albumin between 3.5–5 mg/dl.
8. Clotting factors within normality.
9. High creatinine.
10. Oliguria and constant high blood pressure.
11. Normal lipids.
12. Mild edema
13. ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) elevated.
14. Altered urinary sediment.
15. In a high percentage, it evolves into kidney failure.
16. Maintenance treatment.

Nephrotic syndrome

1. Age: mainly affects the age group between 1 and 5 years.
2. Prevalent cause: non-infectious.
3. Appearance: progressive.
4. There is a lesion in the glomerulus that impairs patency.
5. The loss of protein in the urine is> 40 mg / h.
6. There is no blood loss through urine or hematuria.
7. Hypoalbuminemia.
8. Decrease in clotting factors.
9. Normal creatinine.
10. There is no high blood pressure.
11. Increased concentration of lipids that is, high cholesterol and triglycerides.
12. Severe edema
13. ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) normal.
14. Normal urinary sediment.
15. It does not progress to kidney failure.
16. Long-term treatment.

Nephritic and nephrotic syndrome: treatment

Next, we explain what the medical treatment of nephritic syndrome and nephrotic syndrome is:

Nephritic syndrome

This syndrome will not require a strictly defined treatment. The important thing, in this case, is that there is a treatment that allows control of all related conditions until the syndrome disappears:

• It is recommended to control the consumption of salt.
• Reduce your fluid intake.
• The administration of diuretics and steroids may be required.

Nephrotic syndrome

On the contrary, this syndrome will require the treatment of underlying diseases that have triggered the appearance of the nephrotic syndrome. Treatment may include:

• Use of antihypertensive medications.
• Use of diuretics.
• Drugs that lower cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Corticosteroid drugs.
• Use of anticoagulants.

Nephrotic and nephrotic syndrome have differences notorious enough to confuse them. You must go to the specialist immediately in the event of any strange manifestation.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Nephrotic and nephrotic syndrome: differences, we recommend that you enter our Kidneys and urinary system category.

Alivia Nyhan

I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.