Lupus Nephritis - What Is Lupus Nephritis?
Kidney Health Care - David Mangusan Jr., PTRP
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Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidney that occurs as a result of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Systemic lupus erythematosus, or simply lupus, is a disease of the immune system. SLE typically affects the skin, joints, kidneys, and brain.
Causes of SLE are not fully understood. However, many factors may play a role, including
Signs and symptoms of lupus nephritis may include
How is lupus nephritis diagnosed?
In addition to learning about your symptoms, family history and medical history, your doctor may also perform tests to aid in the diagnosis. Diagnosis may require urine and blood tests as well as a kidney biopsy.
Treatment of lupus nephritis depends on the symptoms and test results. Medicines called corticosteroids can decrease swelling and inflammation by suppressing the immune system. Additional immunosuppressive drugs related to cancer and drugs used to prevent rejection of organ transplants may also be used. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) or mycophenolate (CellCept). Newer experimental treatments include a drug called rituximab (Rituxan).
You may need one or more medicines to control your blood pressure.
Your doctor may recommend that you limit protein, sodium, and potassium intake.
See Also:
Source: Adapted from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). NIDDK is a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH Publication No. 07–4622, June 2007. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/Kudiseases/pubs/lupusnephritis/index.htm
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Causes of SLE are not fully understood. However, many factors may play a role, including
•gender—SLE is more common in women than menWhat are the symptoms of lupus nephritis?
•heredity—a gene passed down by a parent
•infections
•viruses
•environmental causes
Signs and symptoms of lupus nephritis may include
•weight gainSome people with SLE have no obvious symptoms of kidney disease, which must be diagnosed by blood and urine tests.
•high blood pressure
•dark urine
•swelling around the eyes, legs, ankles, or fingers.
How is lupus nephritis diagnosed?
In addition to learning about your symptoms, family history and medical history, your doctor may also perform tests to aid in the diagnosis. Diagnosis may require urine and blood tests as well as a kidney biopsy.
•Urine test: Blood or protein in the urine is a sign of kidney damage.How is lupus nephritis treated?
•Blood test: The kidneys remove waste materials like creatinine and urea from the blood. If the blood contains high levels of these substances, kidney function is declining. Your doctor should estimate your glomerular filtration rate based on your creatinine score.
•Kidney biopsy: A biopsy is a procedure to obtain a tissue sample for examination with a microscope. To obtain a sample of your kidney tissue, your doctor will insert a long needle through the skin. Examining the tissue with a microscope can confirm the diagnosis of lupus nephritis and help to determine how far the disease has progressed.
Treatment of lupus nephritis depends on the symptoms and test results. Medicines called corticosteroids can decrease swelling and inflammation by suppressing the immune system. Additional immunosuppressive drugs related to cancer and drugs used to prevent rejection of organ transplants may also be used. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar) or mycophenolate (CellCept). Newer experimental treatments include a drug called rituximab (Rituxan).
You may need one or more medicines to control your blood pressure.
Your doctor may recommend that you limit protein, sodium, and potassium intake.
See Also:
Source: Adapted from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). NIDDK is a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH Publication No. 07–4622, June 2007. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/Kudiseases/pubs/lupusnephritis/index.htm
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