Swelling

When you have lupus, you will likely have swelling at some point. Swelling can affect many different parts of your body, often in joints. In people with lupus, swelling is common in the feet and lower legs.^1,2

What does swelling look and feel like?

Swelling may cause an area of your body to get larger. The skin over that area may look stretched, shiny, or pulled tight. You may feel pain, tightness, or pressure in the area as well.³

What causes swelling with lupus?

Different things can cause swelling in lupus. Sometimes swelling is in your joints. That is called lupus arthritis, and it can cause pain. Other times swelling will be in your feet or legs, and that can be caused by lupus nephritis.^2,4

Lupus can trigger inflammation in a part of your kidney called the glomerulus, which helps to rid your body of waste and extra fluid. Inflammation in this area is known as lupus nephritis (glomerulonephritis).^2,4

As many as half of all adults with lupus develop lupus nephritis. Severe cases of the condition cause your body to hold on to water, causing swelling in the feet and lower legs.^2,4

Since swelling could result from lupus nephritis, your doctor may run tests for the condition. Tests may include:^2,4

• Blood and urine tests – These tests can reveal how well your kidneys are functioning. Your doctor may ask you to get regular blood and urine tests to help detect and treat kidney changes right away.
• Kidney biopsy – Your doctor may take a small section of tissue from your kidney to test in a lab. If it comes back positive for lupus nephritis, the biopsy can also show how far the disease has progressed. You may need multiple biopsies.

Treatment for swelling

Diet changes and medicines can help minimize your symptoms. If the swelling is from kidney problems, you should know that there is no cure for lupus nephritis. However, medicines and diet changes can both help keep your kidneys healthier and decrease your swelling.⁴

Diet changes

Changes to your diet are a way to prevent lupus-related swelling. Your doctor will probably suggest less sodium in your foods and drinks. Consider cutting back on processed foods such as:^2,5

• Bread
• Pizza
• Cold cuts and bacon
• Cheese
• Soups
• Fast food
• Condiments

Even vegetables, dairy products, meat, and shellfish have sodium. Although it is not a lot, it can add up over the course of a day. So, be aware of how much you are getting in all the foods you eat. Talk to your doctor about how much sodium is right for you.⁵

Instead of processed foods, try eating more fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat. If you do eat processed foods, choose ones that are labeled low-sodium. Since foods served in a restaurant are often packed with sodium, another way to cut back is to eat at home and use less salt in your recipes. Try fresh or dried herbs, spices, and citrus fruit and zest to add flavor to your meals.⁵

Medicines

Your doctor could also prescribe medicine to decrease swelling, as well as medicines to treat lupus nephritis. Blood pressure medicines such as ACE inhibitors and ARBs help to control blood pressure and help your kidneys work better. Diuretics help your body get rid of fluid, which leads to swelling. When you take them you will need to pee a lot to get rid of the fluid.⁴