Lupus
Introduction/Overview
What is lupus? Lupus is an immune system disease which causes chronic inflammation and affects several bodily systems. These include kidneys, lungs, heart, joints, and blood cells. Around 90% of the people who contract lupus are female. With the right treatment, lupus can be managed and controlled. There are four forms of lupus, and the most common is systemic lupus erythematosus.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
One of the problems with lupus is that every person who gets the disease is affected differently by it. The symptoms of lupus can be mild to severe. Lupus symptoms include fever, losing or gaining weight, a lupus rash on the nose and cheeks (lupus butterfly rash), sores, joint pain, hair loss, being short of breath, losing or gaining weight, anxiety, depression, and the capacity to bruise easily. Just about every test imaginable is given to come up with a lupus diagnosis–complete blood count test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, assessments of liver and kidneys, urine test, antinuclear antibody test, x-ray of chest, electrocardiogram, and a syphilis test.
Known Causes
Just like AIDS, or allergies, lupus is an autoimmune disease. That means your immune system attacks healthy tissue instead of viruses and bacteria which are legitimate threats to health. Scientists believe that lupus may have a genetic origin but lupus symptoms are triggered by something in the environment. The four types of lupus are systemic lupus erythematosus, which affects the entire body; discoid lupus erythematosus, which only affects the skin; drug-induced lupus erythematosus, which is caused by prescription drugs, and neonatal lupus, which is rare and affects newborns.
Treatments/Procedures
Lupus treatment can include NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), anti-malarial drugs, and corticosteroids. Medications are aimed at controlling joint pain, inflammation, rashes, swelling around heart or lungs, and fatigue. If lupus worsens, medications can include immunosuppressive drugs, and high-dose corticosteroids. These have many side effects as well.
Prevention / Vaccination
Because the cause of lupus is unknown, there is no way to prevent the disease. Among the best things you can do to prevent the disease are to eat a nutritious diet, add exercise to your lifestyle, get plenty of sleep, learn some stress management techniques, and do not spend long periods of time in the sun. If you are diagnosed with lupus disease, it is very important to wear a medic alert bracelet, identifying your disease, meds, and who to call in case of emergency.
Prognosis / Management
The prognosis for lupus disease is good as long as you manage your life so as to prevent flare-ups. Get a lot of rest even if it means taking a nap every day. Stay out of the sun and away from UV rays. Don’t smoke. Eat a healthy diet and exercise for at least 30 minutes, three days a week.
Alternative Treatments & Products
Most alternative treatments for lupus disease are complementary. Discuss them with your doctor so they do not interfere with your prescribed meds. Omega-3 fatty acids, which come from fish oil, have thus far have been helpful as has flaxseed, which also contains a fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid. Both have potential for benefiting the kidneys and the heart.