CKD Caused by Lupus: Symptoms and Treatments

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which a mass of antibodies and antigens forming immune complexes to attack various organs and systems. Kidney is involved commonly. It reveals that half of all lupus patients develop chronic kidney disease (CKD). Today, try to find out symptoms and systemic treatments for CKD caused by Lupus.

Lupus and kidney disease

Until now, we still don’t know the exact cause of Lupus, but it is believed that family history or environmental factors such as viruses, toxic chemicals and infections indeed can induce Lupus. In addition, women especially at age 20-40 have a high risk of suffering from this disease. Generally, Lupus not only affects skin but also attack kidney, heart, liver, brain and lung. Among them, kidney damage is most common.

Symptoms of CKD caused by lupus

If your lupus has caused chronic kidney disease, you are more likely to have proteinuria, hematuria, edema, skin rashes, joint pain, hair loss, fatigue, chest pain, sun sensitivity, and so on. Consider kidney damage if you have had some of the above symptoms especially the former three.

Treatments for CKD caused by lupus

At present, two treatments, medications and Immunotherapy, can be used to deal with kidney disease due to lupus.

Medications: Steroids such as corticosteroid and prednison and immunosuppressive agents are used to inhibit the activity of immune system and immune complexes, thus controlling patients’ illness condition. However, these medicines lower patients’ immunity that makes patients get sick easily. Besides, lupus relapses easily.

Immunotherapy: This therapy is aimed at eliminating those immune complexes and repairing the damaged kidney cells rather than only inhibiting activities of immune complexes. With the help of blood purification such as immune adsorption and plasma exchange, Immunotherapy can purify blood and remove waste products completely. Then, herbal medicines, which has an effect of increasing damaged cells’ self-curative ability and prompting the regeneration of kidney tissues, are prescribed according to patients’ specific condition. Finishing the whole treatment, patients’ overall health can be improved largely

No matter which treatment you decide to take, remember to consult the doctor first. If you still have any question about the above treatment, lupus or CKD, we are glad to share our answer with you. Leave a message or consult the online doctor. Either is OK.