Nephrotic Syndrome Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nephrotic Syndrome?
Nephrotic Syndrome is a medical disorder whereby kidneys leak abnormally large amount of protein through urine. This is an immunological disease leading to altered function of the nephron (cells of kidney), which may affect children as well as adults. It is a chronic disease with a tendency to relapse even after recovery.  Please click here to read more.

My child has been diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome. What should I know about it?

You, as a parent, have to understand that Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic disease and it calls for long term management. You also have to know that the conventional treatment suggests the use of 1. Cortisone and 2. Cyclophosphamide (cyclosporin or levamisole).

These medicines do help to control the disease. However, it is important for the parents to know as under:

a.       that the said medicines do not help to prevent fresh attacks of Nephrotic Syndrome

b.       that after prolonged use of above medicines, most patients need higher and higher dose of it

c.       that these medicines are immunosuppressive, having many adverse effects

d.       that the patient also need complementally medicines such as homeopathy to help long term management

In brief, the parents need to know that it is the strategic combination of the conventional medicine with homeopathy that works better.

My nephrologist (kidney specialist) has not suggested any homeopathy? Why?

This is common as most nephrologists are not trained to learn that homeopathy is effective for Nephrotic Syndrome, especially for long term management.

You may suggest him to study this website (http://www.nephroticsyndrome.com)  to explore the role of homeopathy.

What are the adverse effects of cortisone?

Please check this link for examining the adverse effects of Cortisone.

What are the adverse effects of Cyclophosphamide?

Please check this link for examining the adverse effects of Cyclophosphamide.

What are the symptoms of Nephrotic Syndrome?

The major symptoms are: protein leakage in urine (passing of high amount of proteins in urine), swelling of face/body, passing of less urine, high blood pressure. Details on symptoms may be read here.

What causes Nephrotic Syndrome?

Nephrotic Syndrome could result from number of reasons; mostly more than one in every case. It is a complex disease. Please study this link for more information.

How much time does it take to cure Nephrotic Syndrome?

Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic disease, suggesting a long duration, which may vary from a few months to a few years. No one can predict exact timeline for its cure. Experience suggests that most patients do well within about one year. Longer treatment may be required in resistant cases. Some cases may need treatment even for more than five years.

Can homeopathic treatment be taken along with the conventional treatment?

Yes.

What are the investigations indicated in the patients who have Nephrotic syndrome?

The diagnosis and assessment of Nephrotic syndrome can be done by certain urine and blood investigations. Kidney biopsy may be indicated in some cases. Other blood investigations, x-ray of chest, etc. may be called for depending on the case. Please check this in detail.

My child gets a relapse (recurrence) of Nephrotic Syndrome with every attack of throat or chest infection (cough and cold). Is there any solution?

Yes. Any upper or lower chest infection could trigger a relapse of Nephrotic Syndrome. There are excellent medicines in homeopathy to enhance immunity especially against such infection; thereby controlling attacks of Nephrotic Syndrome. It is a part of the treatment protocol.

What exactly happens in Nephrotic Syndrome?

The basic kidney unit (nephron) has certain abnormality which leads to abnormal secretion or leakage of proteins through kidney. Please check this presentation to understand the mechanism.

Which other diseases are similar to Nephrotic Syndrome?

Your doctor will help you rule out other similar conditions. Please check this link to understand related conditions.

Is there some specific diet for Nephrotic Syndrome patients?

Yes. Please check a detailed write up on the diet.

Treatment:

What is the conventional treatment for Nephrotic Syndrome?

A detail outline of the conventional treatment is given on this page.

What is the homeopathic treatment for Nephrotic Syndrome?

Homeopathic treatment protocol, approach and philosophy is explained on this link.

What is your experience at Life Force about the treatment of Nephrotic Syndrome? What is the outcome of your experience?

We, at Life Force, have been working on a wide range of chronic diseases including Nephrotic Syndrome.

Under direct care of Dr Rajesh Shah, we have treated and documented over 300 cases of Nephrotic Syndrome (by May, 2008).

Our observations and conclusions so far are as under:

a.       Strategic inclusion of homeopathy helps cases of Nephrotic Syndrome.

b.       The patients, who are on homeopathic treatment in addition to the conventional treatment, do better than those who are only on the conventional treatment.

c.       Homeopathy has effective treatment for Nephrotic Syndrome

d.       Homeopathy DOES NOT have fast acting medicines like cortisone. So, it cannot help acute crisis.

e.       Homeopathy helps long term management of Nephrotic Syndrome, rather than acute crisis.

f.        Homeopathy is safe.

g.       Episodes of infections (such are colds, cough, throat and chest infection, etc reduce remarkably following homeopathic treatment.

h.       Patients who have been on high dose of cortisone are more difficult to treat than those who have not been administered too much of cortisone.

i.         Homeopathic treatment helps in tapering the dose of cortisone in most cases.

j.         Homeopathy plays significant role in long term management of Nephrotic Syndrome. However, it does not bring magical cure. Cases of Nephrotic Syndrome call for patience.

What length of homeopathic treatment is recommended for Nephrotic Syndrome?

Looking at the complexity of the disease, we recommend at least eight to twelve months treatment.

What it the good time to start homeopathy? Should we stop the conventional treatment before starting homeopathic treatment?

Since the (conventional) line of treatment in case Nephrotic Syndrome is immunosuppressive (cortisone, Cyclophosphamide), it may not be advisable to stop it abruptly. Homeopathic treatment is recommended to be starter side by side.

Why do you suggest homeopathy for Nephrotic Syndrome?

As highlighted earlier, Nephrotic Syndrome is a difficult and chronic disease. Only conventional treatment is not enough for its long term management. Please check some of the above answers.

What are the commonly used homeopathic medicines for Nephrotic Syndrome?

Please check this link for common ingredients.

What are the side effects of homeopathic medicines?

Homeopathic medicines are used in extremely small dose, prepared through a process of potentization, which renders the medicines to be absolutely free from any adverse effects.

How do I get started with homeopathic treatment online for Nephrotic Syndrome?

It is simple. Please follow three step process: 1. Sign up 2. Reply to a questionnaire 3. Receive medicines. Please check this.

For Online FAQs, please check this.