Millions around the globe suffer from diseases that affect the kidney, the organ responsible for filtering waste in the blood and regulating water fluid levels. The US Center for Disease Control estimates 4.4million cases of non-institutionalized adults with diagnosed kidney disease in the US alone, with a morbidity rate of 16.3 persons per 100,000—ranked 8th among the top causes of death in the country.

One of those diseases is nephrotic syndrome or nephrosis, a condition that includes protein in the urine, low blood protein levels, high cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, and swelling. Nephrotic syndrome is caused by different disorders that can affect the kidney such as cancer, diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus and other immune disorders, multiple myeloma, and amyloidosis. Genetic disorders and some infections are also blamed for nephrotic syndrome, as well as the use of certain drugs.

Nephrotic syndrome (not to be mistaken for nephritis or inflammation of the kidney), can affect people of all ages (as early as two years old) and may take a life-long treatment to delay kidney damage. As with every syndrome, the course of treatment is centered on relieving symptoms, preventing complications and treating the disorder that causes nephrotic syndrome.

Ben’s Friends Patient Communities (Bensfriends.org) recently launched a support community dedicated to patients suffering from nephrotic syndrome and its associated diseases. The site, Nephrotic Syndrome Support, aims to empower patients by allowing an exchange of experiences, resources and support among patients and caregivers, a hallmark of Bensfriends.org’s 30+ other patient communities.

“Having seen firsthand how real patients and caregivers respond to Ben’s Friends Patient communities reinforced my belief in human connection’s incredible contribution to the healing process, that it is effective therapy and the sharing of information fast tracks the discovery of answers to individual ailments,” said Ben Munoz, founder of Bensfriends.org. “What’s more, rare disease patients who join our online communities no longer feel ‘orphaned’, as rare diseases and conditions are often described. Instead, social media found a way to offer solace and hope where previously it was lacking.”

People who suffer from nephrotic syndrome and related diseases can sign up for free by visiting the website www.nephroticsyndromesupport.org.

About Ben’s Friends

BensFriends.org is a mission-driven company with a network of online communities that provide support for people struggling with rare diseases. It was founded in 2006 by Ben Munoz after he suffered a serious stroke at age 29 caused by a rare condition called an AVM. During his ordeal, Ben realized how online communities could help support those suffering alone. Since then, Ben and his friends have started numerous communities helping thousands around the world.

For more details, visit the main website www.bensfriends.org, watch their videos on www.youtube.com/user/bensfriendsorg, or email Ben Munoz thru ben@bensfriends.org.