Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can manifest in multiple body areas. It causes inflammation, leading to damage to skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys and circulating blood cells.
Patients may experience flares or periods of improvement known as remissions. These can range in severity from mild to serious and are unpredictable.
Symptoms
Lupus symptoms can range in severity and frequency from person to person. They may appear suddenly or gradually, be mild or severe, temporary or long-lasting.
Patients commonly experience skin changes, such as red “malar” rashes across the cheeks and bridge of nose, plus circular patches of raised, scaly skin (discoid lesions). These rashes tend to get worse after sun exposure but may also be cause by medications or stress.
Joint pain and stiffness are another hallmark symptom of lupus. These usually manifest in the hands, wrists, knees, elbows, and feet; they may become worse with movement as well as swollen, warm to touch, and tender at the affected location.
Fatigue is a common symptom of lupus, and many people with the disease experience exhaustion all the time. While managing fatigue may be challenging, there are strategies that may help you cope.
Exercise: Physical activity can strengthen bones, improve heart and lung health, help you manage stress, and reduce the number of aches and pains you experience.
Seek Support: Join a lupus community online or in person, where you can find coping strategies and share experiences with others who share similar conditions. Having an emotional support system can help you manage the difficulties of living with lupus and reduce the likelihood of depression.
Other health concerns: A diagnosis of lupus may increase your vulnerability to developing other illnesses. A weak immune system makes you more susceptible to colds and flus, while making infections harder on the body. Furthermore, bone damage from lupus and other autoimmune diseases could occur as well, leaving pregnant women more vulnerable to pregnancy-related issues.
Hormonal Alteration: Some individuals with lupus may have higher levels of certain hormones, such as estrogen, than other people do. This could explain why women are more likely to develop the disorder than men and it could also influence how quickly the disease progresses.
Diagnosis
Lupus diagnosed when your symptoms match those of the disease. It can affect many parts of the body, such as skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells and lungs; it may even impact brain or heart function.
Doctors typically utilize a combination of tests to diagnose lupus. This may include taking a medical history, performing a physical examination and ordering laboratory tests.
Your doctor will use a microscope to inspect your skin and organs for signs of inflammation or damage. If they suspect lupus, they may suggest doing a biopsy – this is a minor surgery that removes some tissue which will then be examine under the magnifying glass.
Your doctor can then confirm if you have lupus or another autoimmune disorder like arthritis. They may also test your blood for certain proteins associated with lupus.
These antibodies can attack tissues in your body, leading to inflammation and swelling. Furthermore, inflammation may cause a build-up of fluid around the lungs and heart; this may cause chest pain or discomfort as well as an irregular heartbeat.
Lupus may lead to anemia, or a low number of red blood cells compared to normal. This can cause fatigue and shortness of breath as well as easy bruising. Furthermore, you might not have enough platelets in your blood which helps it clot properly.
Lupus may increase your likelihood of developing nephritis, an acute kidney inflammation. Nephritis makes it difficult for the kidneys to filter toxins and waste from your blood, leading to serious kidney failure known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Your doctor may prescribe several types of medicines to treat lupus. These may include anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system suppressants and antibiotics which can administered either orally or through an IV infusion. With these treatments in place, doctors can prevent flare-ups and keep you comfortable.
Lupus treatment
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can manifest as multiple symptoms. It may affect the skin, joints and nervous system (the part of the body that controls emotions such as pain).
Treatment for lupus depends on your age, general health and the area affected by the disease. For instance, those with lupus that affects their heart or blood vessels often see a cardiologist for advice.
Your doctor will craft a treatment plan to alleviate symptoms and prevent flare-ups. They’ll also monitor its progress regularly to make sure it’s working effectively.
You will require a series of medications to manage the signs and symptoms associated with your lupus. These may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as well as medications that suppress your immune system.
These medications can obtain over the counter or with a valid prescription and come in various strengths. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium, provide pain relief, swelling and fever relief. Furthermore, they have been known to address other common lupus symptoms like joint pain and fatigue.
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, can be effective in treating lupus by controlling inflammation and decreasing antibody production in your body. They may come in pill form, by injection or topical application; however, these drugs have a powerful effect and your doctor must gradually decrease your dose until no longer required.
Another drug option is anifrolumab (Saphnelo), a biologic that targets a protein thought to be contributing to your lupus. It has approved by the FDA to reduce steroids in some patients with SLE.
Other immunosuppressive medicines, such as azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and mycophenolate mofetil can help control lupus by suppressing your immune system. They may take alone or combined with glucocorticoids for maximum benefit.
When dealing with lupus, the most crucial thing you can do is notify your doctor of any changes in symptoms as soon as possible. This will enable them to determine whether your treatment is working and if changes should made.
Lupus prevention
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation and damage to various body parts. It’s caused by your immune system’s overactive response to environmental stimuli like viruses or chemicals, and can affect any part of you – skin, joints, kidneys, heart, lungs or blood.
Lupus has no known cure, but there are medications that can help manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups. Your healthcare provider will advise you on which types of medication will work best for you and how to take them safely.
Your doctor may suggest a different treatment plan depending on the type of lupus you have. In some instances, doctors may even prescribe an exclusive diet to keep symptoms from worsening.
Other medications can give to relieve inflammation associated with lupus-related rashes and reduce joint swelling. While these drugs have the potential for relieving swelling and pain, they may have unpleasant side effects as well.
One common treatment for lupus is hydroxychloroquine, which has scientifically proven to prevent flare-ups. This drug works by blocking malaria’s effects – a disease which may trigger flares in people with lupus.
Although the exact cause remains unknown, researchers do know that certain genes or environmental elements can make you more likely to develop it. For instance, mutations in genes controlling immunity such as toll-like receptor 7 or TLR7 may increase your likelihood for developing lupus.
A family history of lupus can significantly increase your likelihood for developing it. It is more common among certain ethnic groups such as African Americans, Hispanic/Latino people and Native Americans and is female-predominant.
It’s essential to avoid stress and other forms of physical and emotional strain. Being stressed out can make your lupus worse, so try your best to stay as stress-free as possible.
Promoting good sleep habits, staying well-rested, and adhering to your doctor’s recommended dosage of medications for lupus can all help prevent flare ups. Furthermore, exercise regularly – it improves moods, heart health, and energy levels during the day.
Recommended readings:
- ANA Antinuclear Antibodies and Paraneoplastic Neuropathy
- What is Arthritis?
- Autoimmune Disease – What is Autoimmune Disease?
- Kidney Disease Symptoms
- The Difference Between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
