Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) Symptoms

Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a severe type of glomerular nephritis. Its symptoms, typically presented as massive proteinuria, edema and high blood pressure, require early diagnosis and proper treatment. If not controlled FSGS will cause worsening scarring of renal cells to the point where the kidneys fall. The symptoms are interlinked with each other, and can promote the deterioration of the illness condition, which will be seen as follows.

FSGS symptoms: first, proteinuria

Loss of proteins suggests that the glomerular filtrating cells are damaged. Glomerulis are basic filtering units of the kidneys. If FSGS do renal biopsy, it will tell that the percentage of healthy functioning as well as the scarred ones. The prefix “focal” suggests that every patient, although the degree differs, have some of their glomerulis involved in. If this is not treated, more and more glomerular cells are scarred to cause gradual kidney deterioration. When proteins are leaked out, they will further damage the glomerular filtration “holes” and make the illness condition even worse.

FSGS symptoms: second, edema

Edema means buildup of fluid in tissues. This firstly results from reduced blood plasma osmotic pressure, a condition that happens because heavy proteins are lost from blood plasma. Sodium retention which will soak water also contributes to the symptom. Too much fluid can make a patient swell up, evidently in their limbs, eyelids, ankles, face, etc. The patients may notice their body weight has increased. The increased blood volume can cause shortness of breath and increase heart workload, so the symptom should be controlled positively.

FSGS symptoms: third, high blood pressure

The kidneys are important in regulating blood pressure. FSGS damages the kidneys and the ability of regulating blood pressure will not function as normal. Hypertension worsens in the deteriorating process of FSGS. High blood pressure can damage the renal capillaries and further cause FSGS to progress, and also increase risks of heart disease in the patient. A FSGS patient wants to lower their intake of sodium, as well as certain anti-hypertensive drugs to control their blood pressure.

If FSGS symptoms are present, seek for treatment under an expert doctor immediately. Management& treatment of FSGS should be as earlier as possible, which is the best way to improve the patients’ prognosis.