Preventing Lupus Flares: Lifestyle Changes, Self-Care, And Medication Adherence
Lupus causes various symptoms, including joint pain, fatigue, skin rashes, and sensitivity to sunlight.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, that is, it causes the body’s immune cells to attack its own tissues and organs, causing an inflammation. Also known as systemic lupus erythematosus, this inflammatory disease can affect many different parts of the body, such as joints, kidneys, liver, leading to severe pain. As the signs and symptoms of lupus are the same as those observed in various other ailments, it is difficult to diagnose the condition. However, one of the most distinguishable features of lupus is a facial rash that appears on both cheeks and looks like the unfolding of the wings of a butterfly.
This disease is hereditary, meaning that some people have the disease passed on to them by their parents before their birth. They may suffer from the disease only if it is triggered by external factors such as exposure to sunlight, certain drugs or an infection. Although there is no cure for the disease, with the help of early diagnosis and effective treatment options that are available, patients can control its symptoms and lead healthy lives.
There are four main types of lupus:
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
It is the most common type of lupus and affects many organs such as the skin, kidneys, joints and heart.
Lupus of the Skin
This form of lupus is limited to the skin. It is further divided into three types:
Characteristic symptoms of lupus are the development of a 'butterfly rash’ on the cheeks and sensitivity to sunlight. However, patients with lupus normally complain of:
Causes
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system of your body starts attacking itself or becomes allergic to itself. It reacts to a foreign stimulus and generates a large number of antibodies which attack different tissues in the body. Sometimes, the autoimmune reaction is limited to the skin tissue, such as in discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE); in cases of SLE, the reaction is seen throughout the body. The actual cause is not known because there is no defined trigger that can been identified as the cause of lupus. There are many genes in our body which can increase the risk of developing lupus. Sometimes people whose family members have other autoimmune disease may develop lupus.
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Risk Factors
It mainly affects people in their 20s and 30s. Anybody can suffer from lupus but it more common in women than in men. Women of child-bearing age are mainly affected by lupus, though it may be seen in children and the elderly.
The following are some of the other risk factors for lupus:
As it is an autoimmune disorder, there are no preventive measures for this disease. However, early diagnosis and identification of factors that trigger this disorder can help in the management of lupus.
Lupus diagnosis is not difficult. But as the symptoms of lupus vary from patient to patient, often, it becomes too late before a patient reaches the right doctor. A rheumatologist looks after such patients. There are intermittent flare-ups which imitate a lot of other diseases.
Blood tests and ANA (antinuclear antibody) testing is done to confirm the disease.
The doctors use a combination of clinical symptoms, physical examinations, x-rays and lab tests for the diagnosis of lupus. Some of the laboratory investigations which aid the diagnosis of lupus are a blood test, urinalysis, serum creatinine test and chest x-ray. Additional tests which give an idea regarding the extent of different organ involvement include:
There is no cure for the disease as of now. But there are a lot of treatment options that can control the symptoms of lupus. For joint and muscle pain, pain killers like ibuprofen are given. Hydroxychloroquine in combination with quinacrine is especially effective in patients who experience fatigue, skin rashes and joint diseases. Immunosuppressants like methotrexate and cyclosporine are also prescribed to control the hyperactive immune system.
Nothing can be done to prevent lupus, but proper care and early diagnosis can prevent life threatening complications. There are several advancements in the treatment of lupus and many more research advances that can help patients in the near future.
Lupus affects the skin and patients suffering from lupus are more prone to suffer from allergies. There are many foods that tend to increase flare-ups in lupus. Patients should discuss dietary changes with their doctor to minimise allergic reactions.
Patients can make lifestyle changes that can help in the management of lupus:
Prognosis
Severe cases of lupus are difficult to treat and can be life-threatening. Patients who have lupus with no life-threatening organ involvement can expect to have a normal life provided they maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow their doctor’s instructions.
Complications
The following are some of the complications of lupus:
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