.Lupus Nephritis
Lupus nephritis is inflammation of the kidneys due to the influence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or better known as lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy kidney cells, preventing the kidneys from functioning properly.
Lupus nephropathy can cause inflammation of the kidneys and cause a number of symptoms, such as high blood pressure, the presence of blood and protein in the urine, to kidney failure. Lupus nephritis is a fairly serious condition and must be treated by a kidney specialist immediately.
Symptoms of lupus nephritis
The symptoms of lupus nephritis are not much different from other kidney disorders. These symptoms include:
When to see a doctor
If symptoms of kidney failure occur, such as blood in the urine, foamy urine, and swelling of the feet, call your doctor immediately for proper treatment.
The doctor will check the symptoms and determine whether the patient has kidney problems or not. To ensure that lupus is the cause of kidney problems, the doctor will conduct further tests on the patient.
Causes of lupus nephritis
As mentioned earlier, lupus nephropathy occurs when the immune system or immune system attacks healthy kidney cells, thus preventing the kidneys from functioning properly.
Under normal conditions, the immune system will only attack germs that enter the body. But in patients with lupus nephropathy, the immune system has abnormalities and actually attacks the body's cells, including kidney cells.
This disorder in the immune system is known as autoimmune. So far, the cause of autoimmune occurrence in a person is not known with certainty. However, there are several risk factors that can make autoimmune people more easily experience, namely women and aged between 15 and 45 years.
Someone with lupus nephritis may have symptoms of recurrent lupus nephritis due to exposure to lupus triggers. There are several types of triggers for recurrence of lupus nephritis symptoms, namely:
As a first step, the doctor asks the patient about the symptoms and history of the disease he has previously suffered and conducts a physical examination. If you suspect you have lupus nephritis, your doctor will ask the patient to pass the following series of tests:
1. Urine examination
Urine tests are designed to assess kidney function. This test will measure levels of protein, red blood cells and white blood cells.
2. blood test
This test will help the doctor detect residual substances in the blood, such as creatinine and urea in the blood. This test is used to assess kidney function. Under normal conditions, these substances should not appear because they have been filtered by the kidneys. Blood samples will also be screened for a complete blood count and anti-ANA (antinuclear antibody) test.
3. 24-hour urine test
This method is carried out to measure the ability of the kidneys to filter out residual substances in the body. This test will show how much protein appears in the urine for 24 hours.
4. Abdominal ultrasonography
Abdominal ultrasonography (abdominal ultrasonography) is performed using sound waves to display detailed kidney conditions. From this examination, the doctor will be able to see abnormalities in the shape and size of the kidney.
5. Kidney biopsy
The doctor will take a sample of kidney tissue and examine it under a microscope. The purpose of this procedure is to look for kidney damage and determine the cause.
Treatment of lupus nephritis
Lupus nephropathy treatment aims to relieve the symptoms that arise, to prevent the recurrence of lupus again and not damage the kidneys. The type of treatment depends on the type and severity of lupus nephritis.
Treatment for lupus nephritis occurs in two phases, namely the initial phase and the advanced phase. The initial phase of treatment aims to prevent kidney damage as soon as possible and to suppress the immune system which damages kidney tissue.
Meanwhile, treatment in the advanced phase aims to prevent the recurrence of lupus nephritis. In general, lupus nephritis will be treated with the following methods:
Corticosteroid medicine
Corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation, especially in the kidneys. Methylprednisone is an example of a class of corticosteroid drugs used to treat lupus nephropathy.
Immunosuppressive drugs
Immunosuppressive drugs are used to suppress the work of the immune system, to reduce damage to kidney tissue due to attacks by the immune system. Examples of these drugs are hydroxy chloroquinone, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclophosphamide.
Antihypertensive drugs
Kidney damage due to nephropathy lupus can cause an increase in blood pressure in patients. Examples of antihypertensives that can be used in patients with lupus nephritis include:
To maintain blood pressure, patients with lupus nephropathy must reduce foods that contain lots of salt and protein. In addition, to prevent the recurrence of lupus nephritis, patients with lupus nephropathy must avoid exposure to triggers for lupus recurrence, such as sunburn and antibiotics. But deep down, lupus nephritis cannot be cured.
Complications of lupus nephritis
The most serious complication of lupus nephritis is kidney failure. Patients with kidney disorders must undergo hemodialysis or dialysis to replace kidney function by filtering impurities in the body, maintaining a balance of mineral levels in the blood and controlling blood pressure.
Patients with lupus nephropathy who experience kidney failure may also have a kidney transplant. This procedure will only be recommended for patients whose kidneys are no longer functioning. The patient will be replaced by a healthy kidney from a donor.
Prevention of lupus nephropathy
A healthy lifestyle can protect you from kidney problems, including lupus nephritis. Some steps that can be done include:
Lupus nephropathy can cause inflammation of the kidneys and cause a number of symptoms, such as high blood pressure, the presence of blood and protein in the urine, to kidney failure. Lupus nephritis is a fairly serious condition and must be treated by a kidney specialist immediately.
The symptoms of lupus nephritis are not much different from other kidney disorders. These symptoms include:
- The appearance of blood in the urine.
- Foamy urine.
- Frequent urination, especially at night.
- Hypertension.
- To gain weight.
- Swelling of the soles of the feet, ankles and calves.
When to see a doctor
If symptoms of kidney failure occur, such as blood in the urine, foamy urine, and swelling of the feet, call your doctor immediately for proper treatment.
The doctor will check the symptoms and determine whether the patient has kidney problems or not. To ensure that lupus is the cause of kidney problems, the doctor will conduct further tests on the patient.
Causes of lupus nephritis
As mentioned earlier, lupus nephropathy occurs when the immune system or immune system attacks healthy kidney cells, thus preventing the kidneys from functioning properly.
Under normal conditions, the immune system will only attack germs that enter the body. But in patients with lupus nephropathy, the immune system has abnormalities and actually attacks the body's cells, including kidney cells.
This disorder in the immune system is known as autoimmune. So far, the cause of autoimmune occurrence in a person is not known with certainty. However, there are several risk factors that can make autoimmune people more easily experience, namely women and aged between 15 and 45 years.
Someone with lupus nephritis may have symptoms of recurrent lupus nephritis due to exposure to lupus triggers. There are several types of triggers for recurrence of lupus nephritis symptoms, namely:
- Exposure to sunlight.
- Medications, such as antibiotics and anti-epileptic drugs.
- Hormonal changes, for example during pregnancy or menstruation.
- Infection with bacteria or viruses.
As a first step, the doctor asks the patient about the symptoms and history of the disease he has previously suffered and conducts a physical examination. If you suspect you have lupus nephritis, your doctor will ask the patient to pass the following series of tests:
1. Urine examination
Urine tests are designed to assess kidney function. This test will measure levels of protein, red blood cells and white blood cells.
2. blood test
This test will help the doctor detect residual substances in the blood, such as creatinine and urea in the blood. This test is used to assess kidney function. Under normal conditions, these substances should not appear because they have been filtered by the kidneys. Blood samples will also be screened for a complete blood count and anti-ANA (antinuclear antibody) test.
3. 24-hour urine test
This method is carried out to measure the ability of the kidneys to filter out residual substances in the body. This test will show how much protein appears in the urine for 24 hours.
4. Abdominal ultrasonography
Abdominal ultrasonography (abdominal ultrasonography) is performed using sound waves to display detailed kidney conditions. From this examination, the doctor will be able to see abnormalities in the shape and size of the kidney.
5. Kidney biopsy
The doctor will take a sample of kidney tissue and examine it under a microscope. The purpose of this procedure is to look for kidney damage and determine the cause.
Treatment of lupus nephritis
Lupus nephropathy treatment aims to relieve the symptoms that arise, to prevent the recurrence of lupus again and not damage the kidneys. The type of treatment depends on the type and severity of lupus nephritis.
Treatment for lupus nephritis occurs in two phases, namely the initial phase and the advanced phase. The initial phase of treatment aims to prevent kidney damage as soon as possible and to suppress the immune system which damages kidney tissue.
Meanwhile, treatment in the advanced phase aims to prevent the recurrence of lupus nephritis. In general, lupus nephritis will be treated with the following methods:
Corticosteroid medicine
Corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation, especially in the kidneys. Methylprednisone is an example of a class of corticosteroid drugs used to treat lupus nephropathy.
Immunosuppressive drugs
Immunosuppressive drugs are used to suppress the work of the immune system, to reduce damage to kidney tissue due to attacks by the immune system. Examples of these drugs are hydroxy chloroquinone, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclophosphamide.
Antihypertensive drugs
Kidney damage due to nephropathy lupus can cause an increase in blood pressure in patients. Examples of antihypertensives that can be used in patients with lupus nephritis include:
- ACE drug inhibitors
- Beta-blockers
- ARB treatment
- Diuretic medicine
To maintain blood pressure, patients with lupus nephropathy must reduce foods that contain lots of salt and protein. In addition, to prevent the recurrence of lupus nephritis, patients with lupus nephropathy must avoid exposure to triggers for lupus recurrence, such as sunburn and antibiotics. But deep down, lupus nephritis cannot be cured.
Complications of lupus nephritis
The most serious complication of lupus nephritis is kidney failure. Patients with kidney disorders must undergo hemodialysis or dialysis to replace kidney function by filtering impurities in the body, maintaining a balance of mineral levels in the blood and controlling blood pressure.
Patients with lupus nephropathy who experience kidney failure may also have a kidney transplant. This procedure will only be recommended for patients whose kidneys are no longer functioning. The patient will be replaced by a healthy kidney from a donor.
Prevention of lupus nephropathy
A healthy lifestyle can protect you from kidney problems, including lupus nephritis. Some steps that can be done include:
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat lots of water.
- Don't smoke and consume alcohol.
- Keep your blood pressure normal.
- Reduce foods that are high in cholesterol.
- Reduce foods that contain lots of salt.
- Avoid the use of drugs that can affect the kidneys, one of which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
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