What is Lupus Nephritis?
Left untreated, lupus nephritis can lead to kidney failure. The good news is that treatment is available.
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Transcript
Lupus is a disease that occurs when the body's immune system attacks healthy tissues and can affect many parts of the body, including your kidneys. When lupus affects the kidneys, it's called lupus nephritis.
Hi, I'm Dr. Griffin Rodgers, director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at NIH.
Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys and can affect up to 60% of people with lupus. When the kidneys are inflamed, they can't work properly. Symptoms include high blood pressure, foamy urine, and swelling of the legs, feet, or ankles.
Left untreated, lupus nephritis can lead to kidney failure. The good news is that treatment is available.
Next week, I'll tell you how lupus nephritis is diagnosed and treated.
For more information about lupus and lupus nephritis, follow us @NIDDKgov. This is Dr. Griffin Rodgers with the NIH.