Lupus is a disease that can affect the body in a variety of different ways. Sufferers of this disease frequently have to endure rashes, fevers and joint pain. But there are those who have a different problem with Lupus. Kidney problems can, and do, occur with a large number of Lupus sufferers.
The medical term for the kidney disease that can occur from Lupus is Lupus Nephritis. It is often difficult for Lupus patients to tell that they have a Lupus kidney disease because there are so few symptoms. Unlike most kidney diseases, Lupus Nephritis does not cause any specific pain. The most commonly related symptom is a frequent need to urinate. It is after this that occasionally the feet begin to swell (known as edema) after the patient has been ambulatory for most of the day.
If you are a Lupus patient and feel that you may have a kidney problem that is related to your Lupus, it is essential that you see your doctor. The first test that the doctor will probably order is a urinalysis. This will allow the doctor to see if there is any white or red blood cells present in the urine. If there is a sign of trouble, the physician will probably want to order more tests.
Blood work comes next. Because the kidney is meant to remove waste from the body, blood tests can be done to see if it is doing as it is supposed to. A doctor may end up ordering an IVP (intravenous pyelogram). This is when a dye gets injected into the patient. The dye gathers in the kidney and then the radiologist technician is able to take an x-ray so that the doctor can see if there is any blockages or other problems visible on the x-ray.