Syndrome differentiation and treatment
The treatment of nephropathy should be closely related to the pathogenesis of deficiency in underlying condition and excess in symptoms. Strengthening the body resistance is the major method while importance should be attached to supplementing qi, strengthening the spleen and tonifying the kidney as well as regulating yin and yang in combination with eliminating dampness and inducing diuresis, clearing away heat and nourishing yin as well as activating blood circulation to remove blood stasis, etc.

1. Accumulation of dampness due to the spleen asthenia  
Main symptoms and signs: Edema of limbs and the body, poor appetite, loose stools, lassitude, hypodynamia, sallow complexion, cold limbs, scanty urine or abdominal distension, chest distress, pale tongue with whitish and thin fur, deep and slow pulse.  
Therapeutic methods: Supplementing qi and strengthening the spleen, inducing diuresis and relieving edema.

2. Yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney     
Main symptoms and signs: High-degree pitting edema possibly with hydrothorax, ascites, scanty urine,  abdominal distension, cough with dyspnea, thoracic fullness, asthma, difficulty in lying flat, pale complexion, listlessness, aversion to cold, cold limbs, declining appetite, pale tongue with whitish fur, deep-thready pulse without force. 
Therapeutic methods: Warming yang and inducing diureses.

3. Yin deficiency of the liver and kidney 
Main symptoms and signs: Facial edema, severe edema of lower limbs, dysphoria with feverish chest, palms and soles, flushed complexion, headache, vertigo, dry mouth with red lips, dry eyes or blurred vision, mental restlessness and irritability, profuse sweat, constipation, excessive appetite, soreness and weakness of lumbus and knees, red tongue with a little fur, taut-thready and rapid pulse.
Therapeutic methods: Nourishing yin and tonifying the kidney, calming the liver and suppressing yang.

4. Deficiency of both qi and yin  
Main symptoms and signs: Inapparent edema, lustreless complexion, listlessness, hypodynamia, short breath without desire for speaking, dizziness, tinnitus, poor appetite, susceptibility to common cold, dry mouth and throat, red tongue with a little fur.
Therapeutic methods: Supplementing qi and nourishing yin.