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Lupus Nephritis Treatment

Lupus Nephritis Treatment In Trivandrum

Lupus nephritis occurs when the immune system attacks the kidneys, causing inflammation and damage to kidney tissues. It can affect the kidneys’ ability to filter waste from the blood, sometimes leading to kidney failure if untreated. Lupus nephritis is a serious kidney inflammation caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease. At Sp Medifort, we provide expert lupus nephritis treatment in Trivandrum to manage symptoms, prevent kidney damage, and improve quality of life.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of Lupus Nephritis?

Signs and symptoms of lupus nephritis include:

⦁ Swelling In Hands, Feet, Face, Or Around The Eyes.
⦁ Blood Or Protein In The Urine.
⦁ Foamy Or Cloudy Urine.
⦁ High Blood Pressure.
⦁ Fatigue And Weakness.
⦁ High Levels Of Serum Creatinine.
⦁ Muscle Pain.
⦁ Fever With No Known Cause.
⦁ Joint Pain Or Swelling.

What causes Lupus Nephritis?

Lupus nephritis is caused when the immune system mistakenly attacks the kidneys, and understanding these causes can help in early detection and proper management.

Autoimmune Response: The body’s immune system attacks healthy kidney tissues, causing inflammation.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): A chronic autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs, including the kidneys.

Genetic And Environmental Factors: Certain genes and triggers like infections or stress may increase susceptibility.

Diagnosis of Lupus Nephritis

Diagnosing lupus nephritis involves evaluating kidney function, checking for inflammation, and confirming the extent of kidney damage to guide treatment.

  • Medical History and Physical Exam: Doctors review lupus symptoms, check for swelling, and assess overall kidney function and risk factors.
  • Urine Tests: Urine tests check for protein, blood, or other abnormalities. Persistent proteinuria or hematuria often indicates kidney inflammation and helps monitor disease activity over time.
  • Blood Tests: Blood work measures kidney function using creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Tests also detect autoantibodies linked to lupus and assess inflammation markers, which help confirm kidney involvement.
  • Imaging Tests: Ultrasound or CT scans provide detailed images of the kidneys, showing any structural changes, blockages, or signs of chronic damage. This helps in planning treatment and monitoring progression.
  • Kidney Biopsy: A kidney biopsy involves taking a small tissue sample for detailed examination. It confirms the presence of lupus nephritis, identifies the type and severity of kidney damage, and helps doctors choose the most appropriate medications and treatment plan.

What are the Lupus Nephritis risk factors?

Certain factors can increase the risk of developing lupus nephritis. Recognizing these risks can help with early diagnosis and effective management.

Gender: Women are more likely to develop lupus nephritis than men.

Age: Most cases occur in people between 15 and 45 years of age.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Individuals with SLE are at higher risk of kidney involvement.

Genetic Factors: A family history of lupus or autoimmune disorders can increase susceptibility.

Environmental Triggers: Infections, stress, and certain medications can trigger immune system activity, leading to kidney inflammation.

Race Or Ethnicity: Lupus nephritis is more common among Black, Hispanic, and Asian individuals compared to White individuals.

What treatment options are available for Lupus Nephritis?

In general, these treatments might help people with kidney disease.

Medications: A combination of drugs is often used to control immune activity and inflammation in the kidneys. Corticosteroids help quickly reduce inflammation, while immunosuppressive medications such as mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, calcineurin inhibitors (like tacrolimus), rituximab, or belimumab help suppress the immune system to limit ongoing kidney damage. Hydroxychloroquine is commonly used as supportive therapy in lupus patients.

Lifestyle Measures: Healthy habits support kidney health and overall well‑being. Maintaining a balanced diet with appropriate protein and salt intake, controlling blood pressure, staying well‑hydrated, avoiding medications that harm the kidneys (such as certain pain relievers), and managing lupus triggers can help protect the kidneys and improve outcomes.

Advanced Care: If kidney function deteriorates despite medical treatment, dialysis may be required to filter waste products from the blood. In cases of severe or end‑stage kidney damage, a kidney transplant may be considered as a long‑term solution. These options help maintain life‑sustaining kidney function when the kidneys can no longer do so.

Regular Monitoring: Continuous follow‑up with blood and urine tests, imaging, and clinical evaluation is essential to monitor kidney function, detect flares early, and adjust medications as needed. Close monitoring helps prevent relapse and long‑term complications.