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FROM THE FIRST LADY

What is lupus nephritis?

By Cathelean Steele, Founder, Justice for Girls

Greetings, I was recently asked to become a part of a team that is focusing on educating the African American population about lupus nephritis. I must admit that I had never heard of lupus nephritis. The Cleveland Clinic defines lupus nephritis as an autoimmune disease that triggers your immune system to attack your tissues. In addition to your kidneys research shows that lupus can attack your brain, heart, joints, skin and other parts of the body. Symptoms can include fluid buildup in your body and increased urine output. A research study by the Cleveland Clinic found that 80% of children with lupus will develop lupus nephritis. I researched this disease based on ethnic groups. The largest percentages of individuals with lupus and lupus nephritis are blacks, at 40 percent; whites, 38 percent; Asian, 5 percent; and Native Americans, 2 percent. I discovered through continued research that 50% of adults with lupus will develop lupus nephritis. Unfortunately, lupus nephritis develops about five years after the symptoms of lupus first appear. If you have lupus here are some symptoms that you might also have lupus nephritis. - Edema (swelling in your lower body or around your eyes.) - Fever with no known cause. - Hematuria (blood in the urine). - High blood pressure. - Increased urination, especially at night. - Muscle pain. - Proteinuria, which often causes your urine to look foamy. - Red skin rash on the face. - Weight gain due to excess fluid in your body. Lupus nephritis prevents your kidneys from controlling blood pressure and blood volume. This disease also prevents filtering wastes out of your blood, regulating hormone levels and maintaining the right levels of body fluids such as salts, acids and minerals. SCLC National Magazine/ Spring 2022 Issue 13

The long-term complications of this disease are a higher risk of certain cancers, including B-cell lymphoma (lymphoma affects the lymphatic system, which exists throughout the body and plays a major role in immune function.) Heart and blood vessel problems which can be incurable.

According to research developed in the healthcare community kidney failure develops in ten percent to thirty percent of people with lupus nephritis. If kidney failure occurs you will need dialysis. Dialysis is a procedure to clean your blood when the kidneys aren’t working correctly.

Lupus nephritis is diagnosed through a physical examination. The antibody blood tests check for high levels of proteins made by the immune system. The labs check your kidney function. Urinalysis checks your wastes and other abnormal substances. Urine protein test checks for protein and other abnormal substances. Many healthcare providers do a kidney biopsy. The biopsy is a procedure to examine a small piece of tissue or sample of cells from your kidneys. This test helps the healthcare provider determine the severity of your kidney damage. It is important for all us to be aware of lupus and lupus nephritis because we can all make a difference in bringing awareness to our communities. With that being said, May is Lupus Awareness Month and May 10 is World Lupus Day. To show your support on May 10 the Lupus Foundation is encouraging us to wear purple. Please join the millions around the country and donate to the Lupus Foundation, or attend fund raising events. If you have lupus share your story on social media and encourage your friends to share your story on their social media platforms. Social media is a great way to spread awareness. Cathelean C. Steele

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would say no sound is more powerful than the rhythm of marching feet. May we recommit ourselves to continue the march towards equality, justice, and freedom for all.”