Lupus Nephritis: Are You at Risk?

One of the many conditions that can affect your kidneys is lupus nephritis. It is the abnormal inflammation of your kidneys due to a disease named Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or SLE. SLE is an autoimmune condition, where the body’s immune system attacks the normal body tissues. Lupus nephritis is the kind of SLE where the defective autoimmune response of SLE targets the kidneys.

Who are at risk of lupus nephritis?

If you suffer from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, you are at risk of lupus nephritis. While lupus may affect other areas or organs of the body, nephritis can cause complete renal failure.

What are the symptoms of lupus nephritis?

A number of symptoms indicate problems in the kidneys, especially lupus nephritis. Here are some symptoms to look out for if you suffer from SLE.

• Blood in urine resulting from the kidney damage

• Foamy urine, due to the excessive presence of creatinine

• Elevated blood pressure

• Swelling in the hands and feet due to fluid retention

If you suffer from one or more of these symptoms, you possibly suffer from lupus nephritis.

Diagnosis of lupus nephritis-

If the doctor suspects lupus nephritis, he will prescribe one of the following diagnostic tests.

• Urine analysis to determine the contents of your urine

• A blue dye is injected into your arms. This helps measure how well your kidneys are performing.

• Kidney biopsy, where a tissue sample from the kidney is tested to determine the organ’s efficiency

Treatment for lupus nephritis-

There is no cure for lupus nephritis. However, the symptoms and severity of the condition can be managed. Here are some simple ways to manage the condition-

• Doctors may prescribe medication to keep blood pressure in check

• Patients will need to stick to low sodium and low protein diet

• In severe cases, immunosuppressive drugs can help suppress the action of harmful antibodies on the kidneys

• In the case of kidney failure due to the disease, dialysis and kidney transplant is the only long-term solution. Even in the case of transplant, medication is required to prevent rejection of the new organ.

Therefore, if you suffer from SLE, monitor your kidney function and look for any abnormalities. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, report it to your physician immediately.