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.