Lupus and Kidney Disease
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Lupus and Kidney Disease
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. пїЅ пїЅ
What are the symptoms of lupus nephritis? " пїЅ Some people with lupus nephritis don't have symptoms. But about half of all people with lupus do. Symptoms can include: пїЅ пїЅ
Is there a test for lupus nephritis? " пїЅ 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. " пїЅ 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. пїЅ пїЅ
How is lupus nephritis treated? " пїЅ Medicines are usually the first treatment for lupus nephritis. These include: пїЅ пїЅ
Severe lupus nephritis can make the kidneys stop working. If this happens, treatment options include: пїЅ пїЅ
What if I want to get pregnant? " пїЅ 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. пїЅ пїЅ
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. пїЅ пїЅ
What will my life be like? " пїЅ 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. пїЅ пїЅ
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ
Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ
пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ
- Swelling " пїЅ This can be in the hands, face, feet, belly, or around the eyes.
- Weight changes " пїЅ 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)
- Medicines to partly "turn off" the immune system " пїЅ 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 bestGive you more than one medicine at a timeHave you switch to a different medicine when the lupus nephritis is under control
- Medicines called "ACE inhibitors" or "angiotensin receptor blockers" " пїЅ These medicines can help with kidney damage from lupus nephritis.
- 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
- Hemodialysis, often called "dialysis" " пїЅ A machine filters your blood every few days (figure 2).
- Peritoneal dialysis " пїЅ A fluid is piped in and out of your belly every day (figure 3).
- Kidney transplant " пїЅ Doctors replace your kidneys with a healthy kidney from a donor (figure 4). (People only need one working kidney to live.)
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
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
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.
Graphic 56992 Version 3.0
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
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
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
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.
Graphic 59957 Version 2.0
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.
Graphic 59957 Version 2.0