Question
How should pediatric kidney diseases be treated? I currently have mild nephrotic syndrome and am taking 4 tablets of hormones; can I engage in running exercises?
Answer
Common medications used in the treatment of pediatric kidney diseases include adrenal cortical steroids such as dexamethasone, prednisone, and cortisone, as well as immunosuppressive agents such as cyclosporine and tripterygium total glycosides. These medications have certain side effects, such as water and sodium retention, central obesity, hypokalemia, hypertension, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Additionally, these medications suppress immune responses and lower immunity, which can induce or exacerbate infections. Therefore, patients taking these medications need to regularly check liver and kidney function and adopt a low-salt, low-sugar, high-protein diet, along with the use of calcium supplements and antihypertensive drugs to alleviate side effects. However, recent studies indicate that by enhancing immunity and stimulating immune responses, activating complement enzymes to break down immune complexes can achieve better treatment outcomes. Clinically, the use of immunostimulants such as Astragalus membranaceus injection and Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide injection combined with traditional Chinese medicine formulas including Cordyceps sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Radix Rehmanniae, Angelica sinensis, Gastrodia elata, Lycodon rufus, Schisandra chinensis, Caulis Periplocae, Scutellaria baicalensis, Poria cocos, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis can achieve a cure rate of over 85% and reduce the likelihood of recurrence after treatment. This method not only reduces the side effects of medications but also improves treatment efficacy and is an effective approach for treating pediatric kidney diseases.