Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Treatment

Successful treatment of FSGS, and the nephrotic syndrome often associated with it, can be challenging. Your doctor may recommend the following basic therapies:

• Following a strict low-sodium diet to help protect your kidneys and lower your blood pressure
• Avoiding medications that have potential to damage your kidneys such as Chinese herbal supplements or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others)
• Taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to lower your blood pressure and decrease protein in your urine (proteinuria)

Drugs to suppress the immune system are sometimes offered to people who can tolerate corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs, but this approach is not safe for everyone.

Follow-up is important because the disease can relapse. People who respond well to therapy can have a normal life span.

For people who progress to kidney failure, treatment options are:

• Dialysis. Mayo Clinic offers state-of-the-art dialysis treatment, including the option for in-home dialysis.
• Kidney transplantation. All three Mayo locations offer kidney transplants. Mayo has performed thousands of kidney transplants with better than average results.

Read more about nephrotic syndrome treatment.