I have lupus and several other auto immune diseases plus i am a nurse.Some diseases that have the same symptoms to lupus are rheumatoid arthritis,fybromialgia,schleroderma,mylosceniengravis.and alot of times these diseases can occur together as in my case.

A major function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body. These waste products and excess fluid are removed through urine.

The production of urine involves highly complex steps of excretion and reabsorption. This process is necessary to maintain a stable balance of body chemicals.

The critical regulation of the body's salt, potassium, and acid content is performed by the kidneys. The kidneys also produce hormones and vitamins that affect the function of other organs. For example, a hormone produced by the kidneys stimulates red blood cell production. In addition, other hormones produced by the kidneys help regulate blood pressure and others help control calcium metabolism.

There are two kidneys, each about the size of a fist, located on either side of the spine at the lowest level of the rib cage. Each kidney contains about one million functioning units, called nephrons.

A nephron consists of a filtering unit of tiny blood vessels, called a glomerulus, attached to a tubule. When blood enters the glomerulus, it is filtered and the remaining fluid passes along the tubule. In the tubule, chemicals and water are either added to or removed from this filtered fluid, according to the body's needs, with the final product being the urine we excrete.

Types Of Kidney Disease

Kidney disease usually affects both kidneys. If the kidneys' ability to remove and regulate water and chemicals is seriously damaged by disease, waste products and excess fluid build up occur, causing severe swelling and symptoms of uremia (kidney failure).

There are many different types and causes of kidney disease. These can be characterized as hereditary, congenital or acquired.

Hereditary Disorders

These can be transmitted to both males and females, and generally produce clinical symptoms from teenage years to adulthood. The most prevalent hereditary kidney condition is polycystic kidney disease. Other hereditary conditions include Alport's syndrome, hereditary nephritis, primary hyperoxaluria and cystinuria.

Congenital Disease

This usually involves some malformation of the genitourinary tract, usually leading to some type of obstruction which subsequently produces infection and/or destruction of kidney tissue. The destruction can eventually progress to chronic kidney failure.

Acquired Kidney Disease

These diseases are numerous, the general term being nephritis (meaning inflammation of the kidney). The most common type of nephritis is glomerulonephritis, and again, this has many causes.

Kidney Stones

These are very common, and when they pass, the pain can be extremely severe in the side and back. Stone formation can be an inherited disorder, secondary to a malformation and/or infection in the kidney, or can occur without any prior problem. The pain can appear suddenly and in waves, and then disappear rapidly when the stone is passed.

Nephrotic Syndrome

This refers to a large protein loss in the urine [frequently in association with low blood protein (albumin) levels, an elevated blood cholesterol and severe retention of body fluid, causing swelling (edema)]. This disease can be a primary disorder of the kidney or secondary to an illness, affecting many parts of the body (for example diabetes mellitus).

Long-standing High Blood Pressure (hypertension)

This can cause kidney disease itself or can be a result of a kidney disorder. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can accelerate the natural course of any underlying kidney disease.

Diabetes

Long standing diabetes can lead to kidney failure. However, tight control of blood glucose levels over the years may reduce those complications.

Drugs and Toxins

Certain medications, toxins, pesticides and "street" drugs (i.e., heroin) can also produce kidney damage.Text Continues Below

1. Burning or difficulty during urination

2. An increase in the frequency of urination

3. Passage of blood in the urine

4. Puffiness around the eyes, swelling of the hands and feet

5. Pain in the small of the back just below the ribs

6. High blood pressure

For example, kidney infections and kidney stones can often be successfully treated. Chronic inflammation of the glomerulus (glomerulonephritis) is the most common kidney disease, which slowly progresses to kidney failure.

Your doctor may recommend certain medications or suggest a specific diet for you.

Are there any risks or side effects associated with these tests?

What caused the problem?

What type of kidney disease is it?

How serious is this condition?

What are the chances this could progress to kidney failure?

What type of treatment will you be recommending?

How effective is this treatment?

What should be expected from this treatment?

Are there any alternative treatments?

Will you be prescribing any medication?

What are the side effects?

How can Lupus affect the mouth?

One of the most common features of lupus is mouth ulcers. This often occurs during flares along with increased joint pains rashes and hair loss. Fortunately in most people when the disease settles the mouth ulcers settle as well, although stress or tiredness can also make mouth ulcers worse. Mouth ulcers can be painful and uncomfortable and it they are an ongoing problem there are simple treatments available such as antiseptic mouthwashes and sometimes steroid lozenges or paste. In the vast majority of people these simple measures, and controlling of disease flares with low dose steroids and/or tablets such as hydroxychloroquine, are all that is required. Very occasionally ulceration of the mouth or nose can be more severe and if it does not respond to these simple measures there are more specialist drugs available.

The importance of oral hygiene must not be forgotten. Keeping teeth brushed and giving up smoking are even more important in people with lupus. If the mouth is particularly sore a soft toothbrush can be used. Some people with lupus can develop discoid skin lesions which are slightly elevated, red areas of skin. The term discoid came from their appearance of looking like red coins or discs on the skin. Similar lesions can occur inside the mouth or nose and occasionally they can also ulcerate.

This type of problem is much less common in people with systemic lupus and is more likely to occur in people whose condition is fairly limited to the skin. Again common sense such as the importance of oral hygiene, stopping smoking etc applies. Depending on the type of lesion, steroid paste and antimalarial tablets such as hydroxychloroquine and/or mepacrine are often used to treat this type of lupus disease. There is some suggestion that people with discoid lupus in the mouth, where it is very florid, may be at greater risk of this turning into cancer. People can read this and get very worried about it. It should be pointed out that this is very unusual and really only applies to the most extreme cases but obviously will be carefully watched for in that very small number of individuals.

Having a chronic condition such as lupus may increase the likelihood slightly of getting some other conditions that can affect the mouth even though they are not necessarily related in their mechanisms. Thus cold sores and oral thrush can sometimes occur. In general the small doses of oral steroids that are used to treat lupus do not mean infections in the mouth are much more likely. However, drugs to prevent thrush will be given where, for example, people are being treated with cyclophosphamide infusions, to try and stop this happening. The lining tissue of the lower bowel and the genital tract is similar to that of the nose and mouth and so often problems that affect one can affect the other.

On the whole lupus affecting the mouth, nose and eyes are generally relatively mild problems. Sjogren's syndrome (dry eyes and dry mouth) occurs frequently but is usually mild. Mouth ulcers are unpleasant but can be dealt with in most cases fairly simply. Similarly mild problems affecting the eyes are common, but if something out of the ordinary develops suddenly, such as decreased vision in one eye, or a red, painful eye, then you may need to see an eye specialist straight away, either through an eye casualty department, if available, or your GP and it may not be sensible to wait until the following day when an appointment is available. In those circumstances it may also be sensible to let your lupus specialist know what is happening so that everybody is aware of what is going on.