Lower Limb Edema and Proteinuria 4+ for Lupus Nephritis

As one common type of glomerulonephritis, Lupus Nephritis is often accompanied by lower limb edema and proteinuria. Proteinuria 4+ means the amount of protein leakage is more than 3.0 g/24h. If uncontrolled effectively, it may cause more severe problems or even kidney failure.

Proteinuria and Lupus Nephritis

If proteinuria is caused by glomerular disorder, we call it glomerular proteinuria. This occurs when glomerular filtration membrane is damaged by inflammation, immune disorder or metabolic disorder. The onset of Lupus Nephritis is attributed to inflammatory reactions within kidneys caused by the deposits of immune complexes, while inflammatory reactions can damage renal filtration membrane and cause protein to leak into the urine, forming proteinuria. Proteinuria 4+ indicates the presence of Nephrotic Syndrome.

Lower limb edema and Lupus Nephritis

When it comes to edema, we must firstly think of fluid retention. When kidneys can’t filter blood and remove extra fluid from the body, excessive amount of fluid will collect in the body causing swelling. In fact, protein leakage can also induce edema especially in the lower limb or feet, because it can cause the decline of plasma protein osmotic pressure.

How to manage these two problems for patients with Lupus Nephritis?

If patients want to alleviate them quickly, they can take some medications that can inhibit the protein leakage and the activity of immune complexes. For Lupus Nephritis patients, steroids like prednisone, and immunosuppressants are often taken to achieve this goal.

However, only depending on these medications are not enough to manage these symptoms and treat Lupus Nephritis from the root. Only if immune complexes are eliminated, can this disease be treated fundamentally. Immunotherapy is just such one treatment that can remove immune complexes, regulate the immune system to prevent the deposits of immune complexes, and rebuild kidney structure. As long as kidneys can work normally, lower limb edema and proteinuria will disappear naturally.

However, no matter what medications or therapy patients want to take, they should firstly consult the online doctor or their family doctor in detail.

Tag: Lupus Nephritis Symptoms Lupus Nephritis Lupus Nephritis Immunotherapy

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