Nephrotic Syndrome
When To Call a Doctor
Call 911 or other emergency services if you have nephrotic syndrome and you develop:
- Chest pain.
- Severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Sudden and severe abdominal or one-sided (flank) pain.
Call your doctor immediately if you have:
- Bloody urine (gross hematuria).
- Sudden, severe swelling in your legs, and pain when you flex your feet.
- Swelling of the scrotum.
- Sudden, severe increase in swelling around the eyes or in the hands, legs, or feet.
- Sudden weight gain, such as 2 lb (0.9 kg) in 24 hours or 5 lb (2.3 kg) in a week.
Watchful Waiting
If you think your child or you may have nephrotic syndrome, or if your child or you have the condition and the symptoms are getting worse, don't wait to get treatment. Call your doctor right away.
Who To See
Health professionals who can diagnose nephrotic syndrome include:
- Family medicine physicians.
- Internists.
- Nephrologists, doctors who specialize in kidney disease.
- Pediatricians.
- Pediatric nephrologists, doctors who specialize in kidney disease in children.
- Physician assistants (PA).
- Nurse practitioners.
Nephrotic syndrome is usually treated by a nephrologist or a pediatric nephrologist, depending on the age of the person affected.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.
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| Author: | Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: June 13, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine D.C. Mendelssohn, MD, FRCPC - Nephrology | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Topic Overview | |
| Cause | |
| Symptoms | |
| What Happens | |
| What Increases Your Risk | |
 | When To Call a Doctor |
| Exams and Tests | |
| Treatment Overview | |
| Prevention | |
| Home Treatment | |
| Medications | |
| Surgery | |
| Other Treatment | |
| Other Places To Get Help | |
| References | |
| Credits | |