What is Lupus Nephritis?

Lupus nephritis is the inflammation and damage to the kidney caused by systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system starts attacking the tissues. It does not only affect the kidneys but also causes destruction in the brain, heart, joints, skin, and other parts of the body.

Lupus nephritis stops your kidneys from:

Regulating blood pressure and blood volume.
Filtering waste from your blood.
We maintain the appropriate balance of bodily fluids, such as salts, acids, and minerals.
They regulate hormone release.
It can cause some severe medical conditions, among them being kidney failure or end-stage renal disease.

Who gets lupus nephritis?

Only adults and children with lupus develop this condition. You are prone to getting lupus when you:

A woman between 15 years and 44 years of age though commoner in females, men are more likely to have the disease lupus nephritis.
Are black, Native American, Hispanic/Latino, Pacific Islander, or Asian.
Exposure to specific pathogens, viruses, toxic chemicals, or environmental pollutants.
Have a family history of the disease.
I have another autoimmune disease.

What are the signs of lupus nephritis?

Symptoms of lupus nephritis usually appear roughly five years after lupus symptoms have started to manifest. However, it can also be the initial — and sometimes the sole — presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Lupus nephritis can bring on the following:

Edema (swelling caused by fluid buildup) in the lower body or around your eyes.
There is no apparent reason for the fever.
Hematuria or blood in the urine.
High blood pressure.
More frequent urination, especially during the night.
Pain or swelling in the joints.
Muscle pain.
Proteinuria is a protein presence in your urine that leaves your urine appearing frothy.
Red skin rash appears on the face
Extra fluid in your body translates to weight gain.

What causes lupus nephritis?

When you have lupus nephritis, your body attacks the kidney, leading to inflammation and abnormal functionality. Long-term inflammation leads to scarring along with permanent damage to the kidneys.

How is lupus nephritis diagnosed?

Your health provider should first perform a physical exam, assess your medical history, and listen to symptoms. Blood and urine tests to detect lupus nephritis include:

A blood test for antibodies checks whether your body's immune system produces a high amount of proteins.
Tests to assess your kidney function.
Urinalysis tests your urine for wastes and other abnormal substances.
A urine protein test tests your urine for protein.
Your healthcare provider would also want to perform a kidney biopsy. This procedure may involve an assessment of the small tissue specimen or cells taken from your kidneys, which can help determine how much damage has been incurred.

How is lupus nephritis treated?

The treatments for lupus nephritis include medications and diet changes. Your doctor may prescribe the following medications:

Blood pressure medications: ACE inhibitors and ARBs are used to control high blood pressure and prevent excessive protein loss.
Corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs: Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs are used to stop the immune system from attacking your kidneys' blood vessels.
Dietary changes: You may have to reduce sodium (salt) intake. You can take less protein, such as meat and dairy, making it easier for your kidneys to work. You can work with your doctor and dietitian to design a healthy diet that suits you.
Diuretics: These are medications used in the treatment of edema, which is excess fluid and swelling. Diuretics are also useful in lowering blood pressure.

Do I need surgery or dialysis for lupus nephritis?

Kidney failure results in 10-30 percent of people with lupus nephritis. This means that when this happens, some interventions, such as dialysis, which involves washing out the blood through either your veins or the kidney, or kidney transplant, in which one of the functioning kidneys is replaced with an external healthy kidney taken from the donor, become necessary. Can Lupus Nephritis Be Prevented?

It cannot be known with certainty whether anyone with lupus will ever develop lupus nephritis. On the other hand, certain drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine, may prevent it from occurring in the first place. As such, keep up with your hematologist and receive appropriate treatment for lupus when necessary.

What is the prognosis for patients with lupus nephritis?

People who receive lupus nephritis promptly are placed in the best possible view. Individuals suffering from this disease often respond well and tend to do as well as other kidney disorders when undergoing treatment, whether it's medication, dialysis, or a kidney transplant—still, most need to have the disease kept under control through medication and dialysis for life.

What are the chronic complications of lupus nephritis?

Other long-term effects of lupus nephritis include renal failure and include:

Having a greater risk of other cancers, particularly B-cell lymphoma.
Heart and blood vessel problems.

When should I contact my doctor about lupus nephritis?

Call your healthcare provider immediately if you have these symptoms can indicate that the kidneys are failing suddenly.

Abdominal pain
Difficulty urinating, or little or no urine
Fatigue or feeling drowsy
Foamy or blood in urine
Itching skin
High blood pressure.
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Breathlessness
Edema.

Why choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Lupus Nephritis treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital has the most trusted team of Nephrologists with advanced diagnostic equipment care for Lupus Nephritis treatment in Lucknow, India. Our Nephrology department follows international safety standards and has years of experience in successfully managing disease and conditions like Lupus Nephritis.