Lupus nephritis is the medical name for a type of kidney disease that happens in people with lupus. But people who have lupus can also get kidney disease caused by other problems. For example, if someone with lupus also has diabetes, the diabetes might be the cause of kidney problems. � �
What are the symptoms of lupus nephritis? " � Some people with lupus nephritis don't have symptoms. But about half of all people with lupus do. Symptoms can include: � �
- Swelling " � This can be in the hands, face, feet, belly, or around the eyes.
- Weight changes " � Many people gain weight, but some people lose weight without trying to.
- Tiredness
- Urine that looks brown or foamy
- Urinating less often than normal
- High blood pressure (higher than 140/90)
Is there a test for lupus nephritis? " � Yes. If you have lupus, your doctor or nurse will do regular blood and urine tests to check for signs of lupus nephritis. You might also have a test called a "biopsy. " � In this test, a doctor takes a small sample of kidney tissue. Another doctor looks at the sample under a microscope to check for kidney disease. � �
How is lupus nephritis treated? " � Medicines are usually the first treatment for lupus nephritis. These include: � �
- Medicines to partly "turn off" the immune system " � In lupus, the body's immune system attacks healthy cells. Medicines that partly turn it off can slow down the damage lupus causes in the kidneys. There are many different medicines doctors use to treat the immune system. The doctor might:
- Try 1 or 2 medicines to find the one that works best
- Give you more than one medicine at a time
- Have you switch to a different medicine when the lupus nephritis is under control
- Medicines called "ACE inhibitors" or "angiotensin receptor blockers" " � These medicines can help with kidney damage from lupus nephritis.
Severe lupus nephritis can make the kidneys stop working. If this happens, treatment options include: � �
- Hemodialysis, often called "dialysis" " � A machine filters your blood every few days (figure 2).
- Peritoneal dialysis " � A fluid is piped in and out of your belly every day (figure 3).
- Kidney transplant " � Doctors replace your kidneys with a healthy kidney from a donor (figure 4). (People only need one working kidney to live.)
What if I want to get pregnant? " � Getting pregnant when you have lupus nephritis can be risky. It can increase the chance that the unborn baby will die before birth. Being pregnant can also make lupus nephritis worse. � �
If you want to get pregnant, talk to your doctor or nurse before you start trying to get pregnant. There are ways to reduce the chances of having problems. For example, it is important to wait until you have not had lupus nephritis symptoms for at least 6 months. Your doctor can work with you to try to make this happen. � �
What will my life be like? " � People with lupus must take medicine to control the symptoms and slow down the disease. This is true for people with lupus nephritis, too. Lupus nephritis sometimes goes away on its own. Other times, symptoms come back after treatment. Your doctor or nurse will work with you to treat them if this happens to you. � �
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 86553 Version 2.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.206 � �
� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �
figure 1
Anatomy of the urinary tract
Urine is made by the kidneys. It passes from the kidneys into the bladder through two tubes called the ureters. Then it leaves the bladder through another tube, called the urethra.
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Anatomy of the urinary tract
Urine is made by the kidneys. It passes from the kidneys into the bladder through two tubes called the ureters. Then it leaves the bladder through another tube, called the urethra.
Graphic 79864 Version 6.0
View Original
figure 2
Hemodialysis
This drawing shows a person getting hemodialysis. Two needles are put into an "access" in the persons arm. Blood flows from the body to the hemodialysis machine, where it is filtered. Then the blood is returned to the body. The whole process takes about 3 to 5 hours and must be repeated 3 to 7 times a week.
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Hemodialysis
This drawing shows a person getting hemodialysis. Two needles are put into an "access" in the person's arm. Blood flows from the body to the hemodialysis machine, where it is filtered. Then the blood is returned to the body. The whole process takes about 3 to 5 hours and must be repeated 3 to 7 times a week.
Graphic 56992 Version 3.0
View Original
figure 3
Peritoneal dialysis
This drawing shows a person having peritoneal dialysis. The dialysis fluid (fresh dialysis solution) flows into the person's belly. It stays there for a certain amount of time, and then it drains out into the drain bag. The "transfer set" is the tubing that connects a thin tube (catheter) in the person's belly to the dialysis equipment.
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View Originalfigure 3
Peritoneal dialysis
This drawing shows a person having peritoneal dialysis. The dialysis fluid (fresh dialysis solution) flows into the person's belly. It stays there for a certain amount of time, and then it drains out into the drain bag. The "transfer set" is the tubing that connects a thin tube (catheter) in the person's belly to the dialysis equipment.
Graphic 71539 Version 2.0
View Original
figure 4
Kidney transplant
This drawing shows a person who has had a kidney transplant. The new kidney is put in the lower part of the belly. Its ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder) is connected to the person's bladder. In many cases, the diseased kidneys are left in place.
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Kidney transplant
This drawing shows a person who has had a kidney transplant. The new kidney is put in the lower part of the belly. Its ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder) is connected to the person's bladder. In many cases, the diseased kidneys are left in place.
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