Autoimmune Kidney Disorder Doctors in Linwood, NJ

Are you searching for autoimmune kidney disorder doctors in Linwood, NJ? SMC Physicians offers nephrology (kidney) and hypertension care at its Linwood location, with rheumatology and related services available through our network when needed for patients with an autoimmune condition affecting more than one organ system.

Autoimmune conditions can cause kidney damage long before symptoms of kidney disease develop. By diagnosing and monitoring your condition early, doctors may detect inflammation, protein, or blood in the urine, kidney filtration issues, and high blood pressure before significant kidney damage occurs.

What Is an Autoimmune Kidney Disorder?

When the immune system targets kidney tissue or produces antibodies that attack the kidney's filtering system, patients can develop signs and symptoms of kidney damage.

Autoimmune kidney disorders most commonly affect the glomeruli. Glomeruli are small structures in the kidneys that filter waste and excess water from the blood.

Lupus nephritis, IgA nephropathy, anti-GBM disease, vasculitis, and glomerulonephritis are examples of autoimmune conditions that can impact the kidneys.

Damaged glomeruli may result in protein and red blood cells being present in the urine. If left untreated, patients can develop inflammation or scar tissue within their kidneys.

Which Autoimmune Conditions Can Affect the Kidneys?

Lupus, vasculitis, IgA nephropathy, and anti-GBM disease are examples of conditions where the immune system can cause inflammation or injury to the kidneys. The type of injury that occurs can vary and determine what treatment is recommended. That is why it is essential to receive an accurate diagnosis.

For example:

• Lupus nephritis can develop as a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Vasculitis involves damage to blood vessels from inflammation.
• IgA nephropathy occurs when immune system deposits build up in the kidney’s glomeruli.

Learn about Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Vasculitis.

What Symptoms Are Associated With Autoimmune Kidney Disorders?

Patients may notice foamy urine due to protein leaking into the urine, blood or brown discoloration in urine, swelling, decreased urine output, fatigue, and/or high blood pressure that is difficult to control.

Some people do not experience symptoms in the early stages of kidney disease. This is why lab tests can be critical to evaluate your kidney function.

Swelling can occur in the face, hands, feet, lower legs, stomach, or around the eyes. Foam can appear in the urine due to excess protein. Blood in urine can cause the urine to appear brown, pink, or cola-colored.

When Should You Visit a Kidney Doctor?

If blood work or urine tests indicate signs of kidney inflammation, protein loss, inadequate filtration, or unexpected changes in blood pressure, it may be time to see a nephrologist.

You may also want to speak with a kidney doctor if you have lupus, vasculitis, or another autoimmune disease that begins to cause problems with your kidney function.

SMC Physicians has extensive experience treating kidney disease, protein in the urine (proteinuria), blood in the urine (hematuria), electrolyte problems, and more. Its nephrology team also has experience managing glomerulonephritis and other autoimmune-related kidney diseases.

For patients who need dialysis or kidney transplant evaluation, SMC Physicians can help coordinate advanced care through its hospital partners and DaVita Dialysis.

How Are Autoimmune Kidney Disorders Diagnosed?

Blood and urine testing, blood pressure checks, imaging studies, and sometimes a kidney biopsy may be used to diagnose autoimmune kidney disorders.

Testing can reveal if the kidneys are adequately filtering waste from the blood and if inflammation, blood, or protein are present.

During your first appointment with a nephrologist at SMC Physicians, we may review your medications and past labs, order additional blood or urine tests, schedule ultrasound imaging, or suggest monitoring your blood pressure at home.

Why Coordinate Nephrology and Rheumatology Care?

It is important to coordinate care between nephrology and rheumatology because autoimmune disease can affect other parts of the body, including the joints, skin, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels.

While a nephrologist will work to preserve kidney function, a rheumatologist treats the underlying autoimmune disorder.

SMC Physicians is a multispecialty practice that can coordinate nephrology appointments with rheumatology visits, infusion services, cardiology care, primary care appointments, and hospital care when needed.

How Are Autoimmune Kidney Disorders Treated?

Each patient is treated differently based on the cause of their kidney disease, activity of their disease, blood pressure, and how well the kidneys are functioning.

Doctors typically try to decrease inflammation, preserve kidney function, control complications like high blood pressure, and limit kidney scarring.

Treatment options may include medications to manage the immune system and blood pressure, dietary changes, and regular blood and urine testing to monitor your progress.

Hospitalization may be required to treat severe kidney injury. Dialysis may be needed on a temporary or long-term basis for severe kidney failure.

How Do I Know If I Need to See a Kidney Doctor?

If you have been diagnosed with lupus, vasculitis, or another autoimmune disease that you think may be impacting your kidneys, it may be time to schedule an appointment.

High blood pressure and blood or protein in urine can also be signs of kidney inflammation or injury. That is why getting tested early can be helpful; symptoms may not always be present during the early stages of kidney disease.

Why Choose SMC Physicians?

SMC Physicians has kidney specialists who understand how autoimmune conditions can affect more than one part of the body.

If you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder that is impacting your kidneys, our Linwood nephrology specialists can evaluate your condition, closely monitor your kidney function, and help coordinate additional care with other specialists when needed.

For specialized nephrology care for autoimmune kidney disorders in Linwood, NJ, turn to SMC Physicians. Our nephrology doctors specialize in hypertension and kidney care at our nearby Linwood location.

To request an appointment, call 609-350-6780 or use our online appointment request form.