Things You should Know About Kidney Disease and Lupus

Studies have revealed that nearly one third of patients who have systemic lupus erythematosus can develop kidney disease called lupus nephritis and lupus nephritis usually show glomerulonephritis.Lupus some signals. Sometimes the fact that the patient has lupus nephritis is discovered only after urine tests are done. It is important to know that lupus patients may experience some symptoms that confuse them and think they have lupus nephritis. For example, infections of the urinary tract with burning when urinating, or drugs used in lupus treatment may produce signs that can start confusion.There are tests that can be done in order to know if a patient lupus nephritis is.


A urine sample is examined to see if blood cells and proteins that are not normally in the urine sample urine.If there are red blood cells, white blood cells, casts (excretion of protein in urine or blood cells collect in the tubules of the kidney), or it is discovered the presence of the protein, there is the possibility of lupus nephritis and other tests are necessary.Sometimes a urine collection is made over a period of 24 hours to measure the ability of the kidneys filter waste.

Blood tests can also be performed, and we can talk urea and serum creatinine. These are tests that are performed to determine whether the waste is properly disposed of by the kidneys and are not accumulate in blood.By serum albumin measurement can determine if there is a low level of proteins in the blood, and studies chemical, that the serum sodium, potassium and bicarbonate determine the imbalance of salt and water in blood.There may also be blood tests to determine if immune system abnormalities.

This test typically takes place before a kidney biopsy.The renal biopsy happens to confirm the diagnosis of lupus nephritis. It is done by inserting a needle through the back skin and removing a small piece of kidney.Then, small kidney portion taken is examined microscopically to determine the amount of inflammation or permanent damage is present in within the kidney.

There are four common types of nephritis: focal or diffuse proliferative nephritis, mesangial nephritis and membranous nephritis.

The treatment of lupus nephritis must be individualized because there are different patients with different needs. It is important that all factors which appear to be taken into consideration when deciding on treatment.General principles of medical treatment of kidney disease include blood pressure medicines to control high blood pressure, diuretics to help remove the excess liquid, changes in diet to control salt intake, protein and calories. They are very important in lupus nephritis.

Corticosteroids are often used to treat lupus nephritis. The usual doses of corticosteroids are given until there appears to improve lupus nephritis. Then the dose is reduced, but careful observation is made by the doctor to ensure that nephritis is not worse.If corticosteroids are given for long periods, may not show side effects such as bruising, increase in appetite and fluid retention with weight gain, cataracts, thinning hair, increased risk of infection, diabetes and others.

When patients fail to respond to treatment with corticosteroids, they receive cytotoxic or immunosuppressive drugs such as azathioprine or cyclophosphamide. The effect of these drugs is to block the function of immune system.As result, more kidney damage is prevented. Although there is an adequate treatment, some patients develop a progressive loss of renal function and kidney failure. This requires the use of artificial dialysis, and can be made by hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.Also, it may consist of a kidney transplant, and we know that it was very effective in patients with insufficient kidney nephritis.