What are the symptoms of lupus nephritis and how do I recognize it?

Kidney disease is often ‘silent’ with little or no visible symptoms. In addition, the symptoms of lupus nephritis can vary widely from person to person. Some of the symptoms may include:

Foamy Urine- This is often one of the first signs of lupus nephritis

Blood in the Urine- This is also often one of the first signs of lupus nephritis

Lupus NephritisPain in Your Mid-back or ‘Flank’

Swelling- Usually in the legs, feet, or ankles and less often in the hands or face. This tends to worsen as the day progresses or after sitting (this is called edema)

Dark Urine

High Blood Pressure

Changes in Frequency of Urination– Either much more or much less often.

Vomiting- Toxins that build up because the kidney is unable to remove them from the body can result in abnormal function of the liver and the process of digestion.

Water Retention/ Weight Gain- the entire body may seem bloated and firm, often affecting the legs and hands more than other parts of the body. The kidneys are not able to remove the extra water which is present in the blood of the person affected.

One may experience the symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosis in addition to the above symptoms for lupus nephritis.

It is important to know that not all kidney problems are due to lupus nephritis. Lupus patients are often prone to urinary tract infections. These can cause burning during urination and can be treated with antibiotics. There are medications that can also affect the kidneys, causing swelling and symptoms that may mimic lupus nephritis. Fortunately when the medications are stopped, those symptoms will typically disappear.