What Are Causes of Leg Cramps for Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephritic Syndrome occurs more commonly in children than in adults, and children usually can’t express their feelings as good as adults. Therefore, leg cramps are not like proteinuria and swelling that doctors and parents can recognize easily, but this symptom indeed occurs in some Nephrotic Syndrome patients. Well then, why Nephritic Syndrome cause leg cramps or muscle cramps?

1. Electrolyte imbalance

In addition to cleansing the blood, maintaining electrolyte balance is also one important kidney function. However, for Nephrotic Syndrome patients, their kidneys fail to work properly, so electrolyte imbalance occurs easily like low calcium level. Leg cramps or muscle cramps can be resulted from electrolyte imbalance.

2. The use of diuretics

Swelling, or fluid retention, is one typical symptom of Nephrotic Syndrome. To stimulate kidneys to remove more fluid, diuretics are often used. However, most diuretics will excrete potassium, and only several types of diuretics can preserve potassium. Long-term use of diuretics is more likely to trigger hypokalemia, resulting in leg cramps easily.

3. Poor blood circulation

Kidneys have an intimate link with blood circulation. When kidneys can’t eliminate waste products and toxins from the blood, blood will be polluted. Then, less blood can flow all over the body. When tissues and cells in legs are in an ischemia and anoxic state, leg cramps will happen.

4. Side effects of some medicines

To slow down the progress of Nephrotic Syndrome and ease patients’ symptoms, they may need to take steroids, immunosuppressants and some other medicines. Legs cramps are one common side effect of these medicines like cyclosporine.

After figuring out the causes of legs cramps for Nephrotic Syndrome patients, we should adopt effective treatments to manage this symptom beginning from the underlying causes. If you want to know how to manage your or your child’s legs cramps in detail, you can leave a message below or send email to kidneyservice@hotmail.com.

Tag: Nephrotic Syndrome nephrotic syndrome symptoms

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