What is Stage 4 Kidney Lupus?

Understanding Stage 4 Kidney Lupus: A Comprehensive Guide

Kidney lupus or Lupus nephritis is a serious condition that occurs when the body’s immune system wrongly attacks the kidneys. This leads to the swelling and damage in the tiny blood vessels present in the kidneys that help filter waste from the blood.

The kidneys do not function properly when they are affected properly. This can lead to problems with waste removal, fluid balance, and hormone control in the body. In this article, we’ll look at the different stages of lupus nephritis, what causes it, and what to expect during recovery. Keep reading to learn more.

What are the Symptoms of Lupus Nephritis?

In the early stages of lupus nephritis, a person may not notice any problems. But as the disease worsens, several symptoms can appear:

• Blood in the urine: This is called hematuria. It happens when the kidneys are damaged . This leads to the leakage of blood in the urine, making it look pink, red, or brown.
• Protein in the urine: Known as proteinuria, this causes urine to look foamy or bubbly due to protein leaking from the kidneys.
• High blood pressure: When the kidneys can’t remove extra fluid properly, the extra fluid in the body can raise blood pressure.
• Swelling (edema): Swelling may occur in areas like the legs, ankles, or around the eyes because the kidneys are not filtering out enough fluid.
• Weight gain: Some people gain weight due to fluid build-up in the body.

What are the Causes of Lupus Nephritis?

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that remove waste and extra fluids from the blood. Each kidney contains over a million tiny units called nephrons. Inside each nephron is a small filter made of blood vessels called the glomerulus. These are important for cleaning the blood.

Lupus nephritis is an autoimmune disease. It happens when there is inflammation in the glomerulus, making it harder for the kidneys to do their job. When the kidneys stop working well, waste and fluid build up in the body, leading to health issues.

How is Lupus Nephritis Diagnosed?

To diagnose lupus nephritis, doctors will first take a detailed medical history and do a physical exam. They also use several tests to check kidney health:

• Urine tests: A urine dipstick test can show if there's blood or protein in the urine.
• Blood tests: If creatinine levels are high, it means the kidneys are not working properly.
• Kidney biopsy: In this test, a doctor removes a small sample of kidney tissue using a needle. The tissue is examined under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis.

What are the Stages of Lupus Nephritis?

Lupus nephritis is divided into six classes based on how much damage is seen in the kidney tissue under a microscope:

What is Stage 1 Kidney Lupus (Minimal Mesangial Lupus Nephritis)?

This is the mildest form of lupus nephritis. There are very slight changes in the kidney tissue, visible only under a microscope. Most people have no symptoms, and kidney function remains normal.

What is Stage 2 Kidney Lupus (Mesangial Proliferative Lupus Nephritis)?

This stage involves mild inflammation in the kidneys, specifically in the mesangial area of the glomeruli. Small amounts of protein or blood may appear in the urine, but kidney function usually stays normal.

What is Stage 3 Kidney Lupus (Focal Lupus Nephritis)?

Less than half of the kidney's filtering units (glomeruli) are affected. There may be moderate protein or blood in the urine, and blood pressure may be high. Kidney function can begin to decline if left untreated.

What is Stage 4 Kidney Lupus (Diffuse Lupus Nephritis)?

This is a more serious stage of the condition, where there is usually a lot of protein and sometimes blood in the urine. Blood pressure may become high, and kidney function can get worse.

What is Stage 5 Kidney Lupus (Membranous Lupus Nephritis)?

At this point, the filtering parts of the kidneys become thickened and scarred. This often results in a condition called nephrotic syndrome, which means there’s a high amount of protein in the urine and possibly some blood as well.

What is Stage 6 Kidney Lupus (Advanced Sclerosing Lupus Nephritis)?

This is the most severe stage, where more than 90% of the glomeruli are scarred and non-functional. Kidney failure is likely, and dialysis or kidney transplant is usually necessary to sustain life.

What is the Treatment for Lupus Nephritis?

There is currently no cure for lupus nephritis, but treatments can help manage it. The common treatments include:

• Medications to calm the immune system, like:
  
  • Corticosteroids
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Mycophenolate mofetil
• Blood pressure medicines, such as:
  
  • ACE inhibitors
  • Beta-blockers
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Diuretics (to remove extra fluid)

Lupus nephritis is a serious kidney complication. Early detection and proper treatment are key to managing symptoms and protecting kidney function. With the right medical support and healthy lifestyle choices, many people can control their condition and lead fulfilling lives.

At Star Health, we provide comprehensive health insurance plans that help you manage chronic conditions like lupus nephritis and many others, offering peace of mind and support every step of the way.

Also Read:

→ Can Kidney Disease be Cured

→ How to Stop Kidney Stone Pain Immediately

→ What Food is Good for a Kidney Patient

→ When is Dialysis Needed

→ How to Prevent Kidney Disease