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What Causes Lupus? Could It Be Drug-Induced?
As we all know, the body system produces certain cells called antibodies which have the role to fight against bacteria and viruses. In a person who suffer from Systemic lupus erythematosus, the body creates cells which fight against its own tissues. In addition to this, the autoantibodies attack certain parts of the body producing symptoms like inflammation and pain. Moreover, a great number of this destructive cells can damage the whole body systems affecting areas, such as the skin, muscles and joints, kidneys, lungs, brain, heart and digestive system.
What is more is that certain medicines can cause drug-induced lupus with the same symptoms. So, two of the medicines which produce lupus are procainamide which is usually used in treating arrhythmias and also hydralazine, used in treating high blood pressure.
Moreover, other medicines which may produce drug-induced lupus are chlorpromazine (tranquilizer), quinidine (used in to treat arrhythmias), methyldopa and isoniazid.
It is important to mention that the symptoms of lupus may appear only if a person increase the number of medicines which have a high risk in producing lupus or tend to take them for long periods of time.
Even though is not totally confirmed, other medicines which are used for certain affections may cause lupus. Some of these medicines include: an antibiotic known as phenazine; penicillamine used to treat rheumatic diseases; cimetidine known as treating excess stomach acid and not in the last place a drug called captopril also used to treat high blood pressure.
Taking all these into consideration, people should be aware of the damages that certain medicines which are taken for long periods of time and in big quanities may cause.
Moreover if we notice unusual symptoms which may indicate the presence of lupus in our body system we should ask for medical help and follow an appropriate treatment in order to reduce and alleviate the condition.
How Sunlight Triggers Lupus. LRI Researcher in Boston Starts to Unravel the Mystery. Wednesday, January 28, 2009. While scientists have long known that sunlight’s ultraviolet rays can trigger cutaneous (skin) as well as [...]
Flares, and What Triggers Lupus – LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
The Causes of Lupus between Facts and Suppositions
However, doctors are optimistic, claiming that they are very close to revealing the specific causative genetic factors which are nowadays considered to be the main triggers of lupus. Once medical science reveals the way lupus occurs and [...]
It is still unclear whether mercury can trigger lupus, but it cannot cause it. Researchers are still trying to determine the full effects of mercury on humans.
Sunlight Triggers Cutaneous Lupus
Sunlight (UVB) triggers cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) and systemic lupus through an unknown mechanism.
Enzymes Used in Treating the Dreadful Lupus Disease
The exact cause of lupus is unknown. However, many researchers surmise that the female estrogen hormone may be a factor that triggers the condition since most of the patients are women in their childbearing age.
Author: Groshan Fabiola
So if you want to find more about Lupus or more details about lupus rash please follow this link http://www.lupus-guide.com
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Studies revealed that 90% of people with lupus experience joint and/or muscle pain at some time during this illness. Very often, the aching pain in joints and muscles can determine the patient believe he has a viral or flu-like illness, while other patients may have symptoms similar with those produced by arthritis. There exist also another category of patients with intense muscle inflammation, and they can also experience progressive weakness and loss of strength.
It must be said that muscle and joint pains are symptoms of lupus but usually it’s not the systemic lupus erythematosus responsible for them. They are more frequently caused by other illnesses.
Usually, the joint pain caused by lupus arthritis comes, may last for days or weeks, and then disappear, returning at a later time. It is known that the joints farthest from the trunk of the body are most frequently affected. Characteristic to lupus is stiffness and pain in the morning which improves during the day and can return later in the day when the person is tired, and also the fact that the pain is usually symmetrical, similar joints on both sides of the body are affected. It is good to know that even if a person has been diagnosed with lupus, there can appear pains that have nothing to do with this disease. For example, backaches or neck pains, a single, chronically painful are not provoked by lupus.
A fact that also should be remembered is that usually, lupus arthritis doesn’t cause deformities or destruction of the joints. Best clues in order to determine if the pain is caused by the systemic lupus erythematosus is the pattern of joint pain and the setting in which it occurs. There can be made X-rays of the painful joints and an examination of the synovial fluid within a swollen joint, to rule out other possible causes for the joint. It is known that if arthritis is the only symptom of lupus, diagnosis can be extremely difficult. It is good to mention that sometimes, performing the anti-nuclear antibody test and the test for rheumatoid factor can be helpful.
For treating lupus arthritis, there are usually used non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin. Usually, these medications have effect, but if this therapy is not effective, there can be added antimalarial drugs such as hydroxychloroquine. In rare cases, if the joints remain swollen and painful despite other treatment, there begins the treatment with corticosteroids. It is important that people learn joint protection procedures in order to rest the joints during flares of lupus arthritis, and another fact that must be known is that cytotoxic medications should not be used to treat only lupus arthritis.
It is known that the systemic lupus erythematosus can seriously damage the muscles, and as a result, there can appear muscle weakness and loss of strength. Inflamed muscles can be painful and tender to the touch, but the most common symptom that lupus myositis shows is muscle weakness. Usually, the muscles at he trunk of the body are affected , such as neck, pelvic girdle and thighs, shoulder girdle and upper arms.
There are some tests that can determine the severity of muscle involvement. These tests measure the level of some chemical enzymes in the blood. Normally, that enzymes are being concentrated within muscle fibers. They escape into the blood circulation when the muscle fibers are being damaged by inflammation. There can also be made an electromyogram to determine the character of muscle damage in lupus myositis, and also biopsy may be performed in order to confirm the presence of inflammation and to identify how severe it is.
As a treatment, corticosteroids are used initially in high doses, to keep the inflammation under control, and then, after it subsides, it is gradually reduced. Most of the patients responde well to this treatment, but there are rare cases when it is necessary to add cytotoxic or immunosuppressive medications.A well directed exercise program should be started after the inflammation passed, in order to regain normal muscle strength and function.
It may happen when the patient is prescribed high doses of corticosteroids with or without cytotoxic agents to appear bone damage and muscle weakness. These complications in rare cases appear due to the effects of the medications alone, they usually come because of a combination of factors. It was found that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus which took steroids for a long time can develop ischemic necrosis of bone. Altered blood flow to a portion of bone causes the death of that area, and as the bone repairs the area, a weakening of the bone occurs and a portion of the bone surface may collapse. Most affected are the hips, shoulders and knees. The first symptom of ischemic necrosis is pain when the joints are being moved or bearing weight, and the pain can be felt even when the person is resting, at night, when the condition progresses.
Osteoporosis can also appear if a patient uses corticosteroids for a long time. Having osteoporosis means that the bone mass is decreased and a higher risk of bone fracture and compression of vertebrae in the spine appears. It is known that women are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis and using calcium and vitamin D in addition to regular exercise may help prevent osteoporosis.
It is important to remember that people with lupus myositis should take a regular, well-designed exercise program in order to prevent muscle weakness.
Causes for joint and muscle pain are varied. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is known to be one of the primary root causes. The pain is generally caused by soreness and inflammation of the joints and muscles which is characterized by [...]
I think it could be lupus myositis. The tests will give us the answer. Anyway, if you have chronic pain (or know of someone who does), you’ll know that the last thing you need is some new manifestation when it’s tough enough dealing [...]
I am in a flare with lupus myositis. My rheumatologist, who is very conservative re: prednisone has increased my dosage from 4mg to 15 mg daily. I am one of those folks who become almost manic on increased dosages.
Lupus – 4 Different Categories
About 10 percent of people with lupus also have symptoms characteristic of one or more additional connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, myositis, scleroderma and Sjogren’s syndrome.
Myositis is doctor speak for chronic skeletal muscle swelling or inflammation. Also medically voiced as inflammatory myopathy. The cause of this muscle [...]
More Research Labs for Antibodies
Since I had symptoms of myositis and a cousin who has Dermatomyositis, my blood was sent to a research lab that specialized in myositis antibodies at Oklahoma. Oklahoma also has a research lab that deals with Lupus and other autoimmune [...]
Author: Groshan Fabiola
For more resources about lupus rash please review this http://www.lupus-guide.com/ or even http://www.lupus-guide.com/symptoms-of-lupus.htm
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What Does A Lupus Rash Look Like?
The symptoms of lupus and its intensity are different from one case to another. It is an autoimmune disease, which occurs when the immune system abnormally releases its antinuclear antibodies and directs their attack against the organism’s own healthy tissues including, in some cases, even the DNA. The genetic material is thus altered itself by the aggressive action of the anti – DNA antibodies.
This organic chaos generates extremely damaging actions on the organs, causing kidney, heart or lung diseases, conditions of the nervous system – such as brain disease, skin affection like lupus rash, erythematous lesions, or musculoskeletal system problems (osteoporosis, arthritis).
Different patients usually experience different lupus symptoms. But the one that is constantly present in many cases is rash, in one of its two existing forms: systemic and discoid. It is the first sign of lupus and also the most persistent, unlike the others that appear and disappear over and over again.
This symptom affects the areas with increased exposure to the sunlight – the most dangerous enemy of a person with lupus – such as face, neck, shoulders and scalp. It is also possible for it to affect the chest, feet, palms and back and it usually comes with lesions of the skin. On the face, lupus generates the aspect of a red, burned skin and may also extend over the tissues that surround the nose and the mouth.
The systemic lupus erythematosus can be improved by the proper treatment. It doesn’t scar the skin, unless it is exposed to sunlight for large intervals.
The second form, the discoid lupus produces extended lesions in more than one body part. This form leads to the skin exfoliation, hyper – pigmentation and generates crusts. It usually leaves scars because its damaging actions get deeper in the skin layers. Serious scaring will remain on the skin in case the rush also involves papules, crust and intense scaling. Once it attacks the scalp, alopecia occurs (the loss of hair that may be temporary or permanent).
Another type of lupus rash is the subacute cutaneous form, which can be encountered in both systemic and discoid lupus. It affects the parts with the highest degree of solar exposure and takes the form of circular, scaly patches that have increasing surfaces of extension. It doesn’t completely disappear but it enters remission. The healing process involves hypo – pigmentation, without scarring. This type of rash can be successfully kept under control by the adequate medicines.
Solar exposure should be absolutely avoided in any type of lupus rash because it will seriously worsen the condition.
The question at the beginning of this article was “How long does Lupus rash last?” and the answer is that it varies from person to person. There are so many varying severities of this symptoms of this disease that an exact time line cannot be given. In general it can last from a few days to a few weeks, or in extreme cases it can even last months. You can check with your doctor and they can help the healing process of the rash and get rid of it even quicker by the topical use of some creams.
Learning More About the Lupus Rash
The lupus panniculitis rash will appear on the skin as deep nodules. These are actually beneath the skin, residing in subcutaneous tissue. When such rashes heal, they will leave heavy scars. Another type of rash occurs in bullous lupus [...]
The lupus rash was first noticed and written about in the 1840s by a doctor in Vienna named Ferdinand von Hebra. He pronounced the butterfly shaped rash a symptom of lupus and blamed its angle on the stream of sunlight hitting the face.
The treatment of lupus of course will depend upon the cause found in step 3. For many people, the lupus rash is aggravated by strong sunlight. In this case, patients are generally asked to look out for flare-ups and at the first sign [...]
Understanding Lupus and Staying Healthy
Discoid type lupus always affects the skin. It is characterized by a rash that appears on the face, neck, and scalp. Discoid lupus can be diagnosed by taking a biopsy of the rash and performing tests. The biopsy will show certain [...]
UV radiation has been shown to trigger the photosensitive lupus rash, but some evidence also suggests that UV light is capable of altering the structure of the DNA, leading to the creation of autoantibodies. Some researchers have found [...]
A Potential New Treatment for Severe Discoid Lupus
Discoid lupus is a form of lupus that affects the skin (cutaneous lupus). In most cases the discoid lupus rash appears on the face, neck, or scalp, though it can also show up on other areas of the skin. Severe discoid lupus may result [...]
By: Tobias Higgens -
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Learn what is lupus or about the symptoms of lupus and lupus treatment
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If you’re one of the thousands of lupus disease sufferers living around the planet with this medical condition, you’re probably always searching for a new alternative to taking medications with serious side effects or other risks. But did you know that you may be able to combat your most common symptoms of lupus disease with all-natural ingredients?
There are several “wonder” foods and vitamins that have an excellent track record of minimizing the lupus symptoms, a boon to lupus disease patients across the globe who are tired of taking anti-inflammatory drugs or pumping their bodies full of prescriptions of dubious origin. Alternatively, there are plenty of natural items available at your local grocery store that will boost the body’s immunity, something incredibly important for the victims of this disease. With this disease, the body viciously attacks the immune system and consequently causes the painful, sometimes debilitating, lupus symptoms commonly associated with the disease.
Though you will not be able to entirely get rid of your lupus disease, you’ll go a long way to making living with lupus much easier if you try these holistic techniques. Not only are they all natural, they could also be some of the best kept secrets to keeping your lupus symptoms under control for good.
Spice Up Your Life
For many lupus disease sufferers, the answer to attacking their lupus disease symptoms comes in a little clove of garlic. This commonly used substance may not only keep away vampires; it also appears to have the ability to keep lupus symptoms at bay, too! If you’re wary of eating the strong stuff or find it to be less than palatable, take it in pill form.
Enjoy Your Vitamins
Your parents were correct – eating a diet rich in vitamins, especially Vitamin E, is not only healthy: it’s essential if you have lupus disease. For a number of lupus disease patients, eating foods and pills high in Vitamin E keeps their lupus symptoms under control or helps with nasty flare ups. Choose nuts, oils, and leafy green veggies for maximum impact.
The Facts about Flax
Flaxseed, ingested in tablet or oil form (or even sprinkled on foods such as cereals and yogurts), has been reported to have incredible effects on the treatment of lupus symptoms. Many sufferers insist that their pains seem to go away faster (or appear on a more infrequent basis) when they alter their daily dietary regimens to include flaxseed. If you’re not familiar with where to find this foodstuff, check out the natural section of your grocery or go to a holistic healthy foods store. Some online merchants also carry flaxseed or foods infused with flaxseeds or flaxseed oil.
Remember – there is no known cure for lupus disease, but Mother Nature may have provided us with all the help we could want with wholesome products from the earth. Just as each person with lupus is an individual, so must you treat your lupus symptoms on a very personal basis. Try various methods, and you’ll soon discover which natural items work best with your body type and lupus disease condition.
By: Lac Tran -
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Mitamins team – vitamin support for lupus treatments lupus lupus disease
Lupus Diet – Essential Lupus Diet Do’s and Don’ts
So I took all of the healing modalities and encorporated the information into a book to promote the many natural solutions to alternative healing for lupus. There are many specific lupus diet dos that you can implement that will support [...]
Do you believe in ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE?
But before I had lupus I always thought that Alternative Health Care Medicine can never cure a person. That’s it was just all publicity and those who have claimed to be healed by alternative medicine were only paid to say that they were [...]
2008’s Top Ten Natural Health Products
What are the best natural health products? Read our top ten alternative medicine products for 2008. … Fish oils can help keep the heart and brain healthy and help with inflammatory conditions such as IBS, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Bee Venom Used to Treat Arthritis, MS, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Venom from honeybees contains more than 40 active substances, according to alternative-medicine publications. The most abundant is an anti-inflammatory called melittin. It causes the body to produce cortisol, an agent of the body’s own [...]
Amazing Omega-3 Compilation!
You’ll also see why inflammation can easily aggravate autoimmune disorders like Lupus and type-1 diabetes, and you’ll find out which low-cost trace mineral boosts the assimilation of omega-3 fatty acids.
lupus – booooo!: lupus sucks.
There is a rheumatologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC that also does acupuncture, and there are 2 doctors over in Philadelphia that do research on alternative and complimentary medicine in the rheumatology field.
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Discoid lupus erythematosus is a condition of the skin that generates localized or widespread circular lesions. Discoid lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune condition. Instead of protecting the body against infectious organisms, certain dysfunctions of the immune system cause it to attack healthy body cells and tissues, producing lesions on the surface of the skin.
The skin lesions caused by discoid lupus erythematosus can aggravate due to prolonged exposure to the sun. Most patients have localized skin lesions, predominantly on the body regions exposed to sunlight: scalp, face, neck and arms. However, some patients have skin lesions on unexposed regions of the body: chest, back or legs. These lesions can indicate the development of systemic lupus erythematosus, which involves serious abnormalities of the immune system.
While people with discoid lupus erythematosus mostly present recurring skin disorders, patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus can develop a wide range of diseases: cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, pneumonia, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, diseases of the musculoskeletal or nervous systems.
Discoid lupus erythematosus is very common in women with ages between 18 and 50 and it rarely occurs in men. The skin disorder has the highest incidence in African American women, who commonly experience more intense symptoms of discoid lupus erythematosus. Although the actual causes of the disorder have not been identified, multiple inter-related factors are suspected for triggering the condition: genetic factors (inherited genetic abnormalities), hormonal factors (excessive levels of estrogen seem to facilitate the development of the disorder) and environmental factors (prolonged medical treatments with antibiotics). Discoid lupus erythematosus has a pronounced hereditary character, as the majority of affected people have a family history of the disorder.
The process of diagnosing discoid lupus erythematosus involves physical examination, laboratory analysis of skin samples and elaborate blood tests. If laboratory tests reveal dysfunctions of the immune system and the skin lesions are linked to discoid lupus erythematosus, the patients will be prescribed an appropriate medical treatment. Although the disorder can’t be completely overcome through the means of the medical treatments available today, discoid lupus erythematosus can be controlled and its generated symptoms can be ameliorated. Patients diagnosed with discoid lupus erythematosus need to avoid exposure to sunlight in order to prevent aggravation of their skin lesions and the formation of permanent scars.
In the early stages of discoid lupus erythematosus, the skin lesions have a reddish, circular aspect and the borders of the affected skin present sharp prominences. In time, the skin may become scaly and crusty. When discoid lupus erythematosus affects the scalp, the disorder often involves temporary or even permanent hair loss. African American patients are exposed to a high risk of developing skin cancer and they should take special measures in avoiding sun burns. With the help of medical treatments and by avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight, the skin disorder can be kept under control and its symptoms can be considerably ameliorated.
By: Groshan Fabiola
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
So if you want to find more about Lupus or more details about discoid lupus please follow this link www.lupus-guide.com
Lupus Symptoms
The Two Kinds of Lupus. • Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). DLE predominantly affects the skin which is exposed to direct sunlight and is considered the milder of the two kinds of lupus. • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus – BUTTERFLIES AMONG US
Has anyone with Discoid Lupus Erythematosus had a biopsy done of your head sores. A friend of mine told me to have the sores on my head biopsied. I’ve had these sores for years and they flare when feel really weak and [...]
Discoid lupus
About lupus, I found out two weeks ago that I also have the skin form of lupus which is called discoid lupus. I had a lupus lesion on my head which has been there for about 3 years, but in the last 9 months or so, it has tripled in size [...]
Staying Healthy with Lupus
Discoid lupus can be diagnosed by taking a biopsy of the rash and performing tests. The biopsy will show certain anomalies that are not present in skin without the rash. Discoid lupus usually will not involve problem with the body’s [...]
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
There are medications to treat discoid lupus. Usually cortisone creams or lotions are enough. They will slow down the advancing rashes and hopefully help the ones that are already there to recover.
Medical Monday: What is lupus?
There is a skin contained lupus, discoid lupus or cutaneous lupus erythematosus. While this type does not attack the internal organs it can be disfiguring. About 10% of people that start with the discoid lupus and later also get [...]
LUPUS
Patients may present with discoid lupus (thick, red scaly patches on the skin). Alopecia, mouth, nasal, and vaginal ulcers, and lesions on the skin are also possible manifestations. Musculoskeletal manifestations Patients most often [...]
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There are as many different combinations of symptoms for lupus as there are sufferers. This makes the treatment of lupus very difficult. This article discusses some of the current natural treatments available.
Lupus is an autoimmune condition in which a person’s immune system creates antibodies that attack their own body tissues. Many of the symptoms are very similar to other diseases, which makes the treatment of lupus even more difficult, especially as there is no single test that can categorically diagnose lupus.
What does seem to be common to most sufferers is a red rash that appears on the nose and cheeks and sometimes on the whole body. The rash tends to get worse after exposure to the sun. There can also be unexplained bouts of fever and the person could suffer from painful arthritis of the joints. The treatment of lupus (http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Lupus.html) is hampered by the fact that lupus symptoms can constantly change. While undergoing treatment of lupus, a patient could find hair loss, mouth ulcers, headaches, chest pain and even depression. Sometimes, only one part of the body is affected, like the skin, and sometimes many parts are, making the diagnosis and treatment of lupus rather tough.
Systemic lupus can affect various primary organs in the body like the lungs, which develop an inflammation in the lining, resulting in chest pain. This in turn can deteriorate into pneumonia. Very often, doctors tend to only treat the symptoms as it’s difficult to diagnose the real cause. Lupus can also affect the kidneys and in such a case the only indications could be swollen ankles and an abnormal blood or urine reading. Lupus can also affect the heart, blood vessels, and the nervous system.
More often than not, after it is diagnosed lupus is treated with corticosteroids. Doctors usually ask their patients to keep a watchful eye out for any sign of flare-ups and so immediate precautions like the use of a stronger sunscreen and reducing stress are all part of lupus treatment. Women who are pregnant have to be especially careful and must resort to quick treatment of lupus flare-ups so that there is no threat of miscarriage. Men with lupus should have their PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tested, and women should have regular breast and gynecological tests. Both should also check regularly their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Is there a natural remedy for lupus? Can lupus be treated with any natural herbs? Doctors usually advise patients to supplement their medication with vitamins and minerals such as calcium, vitamin D and folic acid. Exercise also helps as it reduces stress levels and in turn mitigates any flare-ups.
A study begun at the Medical University of South Carolina, in collaboration with the Research and Education Foundation of the American College of Rheumatology, studied the effects of the treatment of lupus with Vitamin D therapy in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). The study is ongoing. The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) also does a lot of research into the causes, prevention and treatment of lupus.
| By Mitamins Team Published: 2/28/2007 |
Is there a natural remedy for lupus? Can lupus be treated with any natural herbs? Doctors usually advise patients to supplement their medication with vitamins and minerals such as calcium, vitamin D and folic acid.
Causes, Symptoms And Alternative Treatments for Lupus
Lupus alternative treatment has gained a lot of importance in recent years because of the incurable nature of the disease and the high cost of conventional lupus medications and their serious side effects.
A Lupus Diet for Nutritional Healing
The book is a practical guide with a holistic approach to healing that addresses Lupus diet do’s and donts, nutrition, supplements, plus many other self healing approaches helpful in reversing disease through natural means.
Modern Medicine does not consider there to be a cure for lupus, but many alternative practitioners report “cures” by eliminating causes and treating the body as a whole, the natural way, beginning with adjustments in diet and [...]
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Systemic lupus erythematosus is a life-threatening chronic autoimmune disease. Although the mortality rate of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus has reduced in the last decades, the disease continues to raise serious problems to the affected persons. Research results reveal that around 2 million people in the United States suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus and almost 90 percent of patients are females.
The disease has the highest incidence in young women with ages between 18 and 30 years old. Asian, Hispanic and African American women are more exposed to developing systemic lupus erythematosus than white women. In Asian and African countries, the incidence of the disease in women is known to be a lot higher than in the United States. Furthermore, Asian and African American women seem to develop more serious forms of the disease. Systemic lupus erythematosus is also common in infants, very young children and elderly people.
Modern medicine is unable to establish the actual causes of systemic lupus erythematosus. It is believed that there are multiple inter-related factors that determine the occurrence of the disease: genetic anomalies, environmental factors (prolonged medical treatments with strong antibiotics) and hormonal factors (since the disease is predominant in women, estrogen seems to be involved in the occurrence of the disease).
Systemic lupus erythematosus can affect different parts of the body, sometimes even causing permanent damage. Lupus involves dysfunctions or hyperactivity of the immune system, which begins to attack healthy blood cells and genetic material. Instead of protecting the body from infectious agents and malign organisms, the immune system produces antinuclear antibodies that attack the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Systemic lupus erythematosus can affect the cardiovascular system, the lungs, the gastrointestinal tract, the kidneys, the nervous system and brain, the musculoskeletal system or skin.
People with systemic lupus erythematosus commonly suffer from affections of the joints, heart disease, pulmonary disease or skin diseases. Considering the multitude of generated symptoms, people with systemic lupus erythematosus require various medical treatments for each particular disorder.
The treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus is mainly targeted at reducing the damage caused by the dysfunctional immune system to the body. Immunosuppressive medications are very common in the treatment for lupus. Although they can generate pronounced side-effect, corticosteroids are often used in the treatment of systemic lupus erythemaosus. However, doctors are trying to minimize the use of harmful drugs such as azathioprine (Imuran) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan).
The chronic character of systemic lupus erythematosus determines the recurrence of its symptoms. The disease has an unpredictable evolution pattern, alternating between periods of remission and periods of aggravation. Even if systemic lupus erythematosus is inactive, the patients still require permanent monitoring and frequent physical examination. Also, due to prolonged treatments with immunosuppressive medications, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are very susceptible to infections. People with systemic lupus erythematosus need to take steps in preventing the occurrence of infectious diseases, as on the background of a compromised immune system, even a common flu can generate exacerbated symptoms.
By: Groshan Fabiola
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
So if you want to find more about Lupus or more details about systemic lupus please follow this link www.lupus-guide.com
Seems that the symptoms of the systemic lupus erythematosus are the same in men and women too, at least at the beginning of the disease.
Lupus Medications: What Are My Options?
Lupus medications are an important aspect of treatment for many patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. An array of medications and drug therapy options are now available to treat lupus.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the universal presence of autoantibodies and a wide range of clinical manifestations.
Wonder what causes lupus? Lupus, an autoimmune disease, happens when the immune system attacks its tissues, causing inflammation, swelling, pain, and damage. Lupus symptoms vary, and early lupus symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, …
Drug-Induced Lupus. vDrug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus: Is a syndrome that resembles SLE and is associated with symptoms such as fever, malaise, arthritis, serositis, and rash. Has a less severe and less dramatic clinical presentation [...]
My symptoms + Lupus in Family…
My symptoms + Lupus in Family… Lupus. … My uncle and my sister both have SLE. My sister died several years ago due to SLE complications. An ideas what I should do or kind of Doctor I should see.
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Due to its polyvalent character and its intrinsic nature (lupus is triggered and augmented by severe immune system impairments), lupus is very difficult to diagnose accurately and promptly. In some cases, the complexity of lupus renders doctors unable to reveal its presence in time, the unspecific symptoms produced by the autoimmune disease often being misleading in the process of establishing the correct diagnosis.
It may take months or even years to confirm the diagnosis received by patients with suspected lupus. The process of diagnosing lupus can be challenging even for the most experienced doctors. Patients can also influence the duration of the process of diagnosis, as doctors often rely on symptomatic reports apart from common laboratory analyses and physical examinations. The challenging process of diagnosing lupus can only be accelerated and facilitated by good doctor-patient cooperation.
Although at present there aren’t any specific tests that can reveal the presence of lupus, the existing laboratory tests can still help doctors decide upon the correct diagnosis.
The most commonly used method of diagnosing patients with suspected lupus consists in looking for the presence of auto-antibodies in blood samples. The antinuclear antibody test (ANA test) is nowadays extensively used to detect the presence of auto-antibodies in patients with suspected lupus. However, the main problem with the ANA test is that it isn’t 100 percent accurate. For instance, a positive result for the ANA test may be influenced by factors such as past infections, chronic diseases or prolonged treatments with certain medications and not by the actual presence of lupus. In order to confirm the presumptive diagnosis, doctors have to rely on various other tests, such as anti-DNA, anti-RPN, anti-Ro, anti-La, or anti-Sm antibody tests.
When these previously mentioned blood tests along with clinical examinations and the patient’s symptomatic report are inconclusive for establishing the correct diagnosis, doctors may decide to perform biopsies of the skin or kidneys in order to reveal clear evidence of lupus. Additional tests often include the test for syphilis, as lupus sufferers commonly have a series of antibodies that generally occur in patients with syphilis. Thus, a falsely positive result for the syphilis test is also considered to be an indicator for lupus. Doctors have to rely on a wide range of tests in order to analyze the disease from different angles and find the accurate diagnosis. Without multiple medical investigations and elaborate research, lupus is virtually impossible to diagnose properly.
Once lupus has been appropriately diagnosed, doctors still depend on a series of tests in order to identify the actual type of lupus and its rate of progression. In order to gather the required medical information, doctors may choose to perform the following tests: complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry tests, erythrocyte sedimentation tests and urinalysis. After the results of these tests are properly interpreted, doctors can finally choose the appropriate course of medications. Due to the fact that the process of diagnosing lupus is time consuming, patients may have developed serious complications by the time they receive the appropriate medical treatment. Despite their limited relevancy, the existing procedures of diagnosis are the only means of revealing signs of lupus in patients. Medical scientists are hoping to find more efficient methods of diagnosing lupus in the near future, methods that can simplify the process of diagnosis and allow prompt medical intervention.
By: Groshan Fabiola
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So if you want to find more about Lupus or more details about systemic lupus please follow this link www.lupus-guide.com
Lab Tests for Diagnosing Lupus
Testing for lupus, or more formally systemic lupus erythamatosus, is often done through a series of laboratory tests, or screening tests, that help a doctor begin to formulate a diagnosis.
Nearly one million people in the United States suffer from lupus erythematosus, which develops when the body becomes allergic to itself. Because of the difficulty of diagnosing lupus, several years may elapse before an accurate [...]
The problem with diagnosing systemic lupus is that, usually no two persons affected with systemic lupus will display identical symptoms.
Lupus diagnosis can be difficult. Making a correct diagnosis of lupus requires knowledge and awareness on the part of the doctor and good communication on the part of the patient.
Lupus gene finding prompts call for more DNA samples
However, because the symptoms are often non-specific, diagnosing the condition can be difficult. There is currently no cure for the disease, which can be triggered by viral infections, sunlight, trauma or stress, as well as puberty and childbirth.
Ok, so how do i find out if my symptoms are that of lupus. see your doctor! start there. diagnosing lupus is difficult and it may take months for your doctor to make the diagnosis.
No single test can diagnose lupus. Your doctor may have to run several tests and study your medical history. It may take time for a diagnosis of lupus.
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Studies revealed that about a third of patients that have systemic lupus erythematosus can develop a kidney disease called lupus nephritis or lupus glomerulonephritis.Lupus nephritis usually shows very few signs. It doesn’t cause pain or burning during urination and also it does not produce pain in the abdomen or back.The first symptom the patient with lupus nephritis usually experiences is puffiness in the legs, ankles or fingers. This happens because the loss of protein in the urine may lead to fluid retention with weight gain and swelling.
Sometimes the fact that a patient has lupus nephritis is discovered only after urine studies are made. It is very possible that if there is made another urine test, the urine abnormalities to disappear. But there are patients in which the abnormal findings on urine studies persist or can become even worse in time. This kind of patients require more studies to determine the best treatment to control the disease, because there appears the risk for loss of kidney function.
It is important to know that patients having lupus can experience some symptoms that confuse them and think they have lupus nephritis. For example infections of the urinary tract with burning on urination, or medications used in lupus treatment may produce signs that can start the confusion.There are some tests that can be done in order to find out if a patient has lupus nephritis.
Urinalysis is the most used and the most simple test to do. A urine sample is studied to find out if there is protein and blood cells which are not normally found in the urine.If in the urine sample there are found red blood cells, white blood cells, casts(excretion in the urine of protein or blood cells that collect within the tubules of the kidney), or there is discovered the presence of protein, there exists the possibility of lupus nephritis, and further tests are necessary.Sometimes, it is done a urine collection over a period of 24 hours to measure the kidneys’ ability to filter waste products.
Blood studies can also be performed, and we can mention the blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine. These are tests that are made to find out if waste products are being removed properly by the kidney and are not building up in the blood.By measuring the serum albumin, it can be determined if there is a low protein level in the blood, and chemistry studies such as the serum sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate determine the imbalances of salt and water in the blood.There can be also made blood tests in order to determine if there are abnormalities of the immune system.
An intravenous sonogram or pyelogram can be made to determine the size and shape of the kidneys. Usually this test takes place before a kidney biopsy.The kidney biopsy takes place in order to confirm the diagnosis of lupus nephritis. It is made by inserting a needle through the skin of the back and removing a tiny piece of the kidney.Then, the small part taken from the kidney is analyzed under the microscope in order to determine how much inflammation or permanent damage is present within the kidney.
There are four most common types of nephritis: focal or diffuse proliferative nephritis, mesangial nephritis and membranous nephritis.
The treatment for lupus nephritis must be individualized, because there are different patients having different needs. It is important that all factors that appear to be taken in consideration when deciding the treatment.General principles of medical management of kidney disease include anti-hypertensive drugs to control increased blood pressure, diuretic agents to help eliminate excess fluid, changes in the diet to control the intake of salt, proteins and calories. These are very important in lupus nephritis.
Corticosteroids are often used to treat lupus nephritis. We can mention here prednisolone, prednisone and methylprednisolone. There still are some unanswered question about how corticosteroids work and how they may be most effectively used. Usual, high doses of corticosteroids are given until there appears improvement in the lupus nephritis. Then , the dose is reduced, but there is done a careful observation by the physician to make sure that the nephritis doesn’t get worse.If corticosteroids are given for long periods, there can appear side effects, like easy bruising, increase in appetite and fluid retention with weight gain, cataracts, thinning of the hair, an increase in the risk of infection, diabetes and other.
When patients do not respond at corticosteroid treatment, they are given Cytotoxic or immunosuppressive drugs such as azathioprine or cyclophosphamide. The effect of these drugs is to block the function of the immune system.As a result, further damage to the kidneys is prevented. However, even if these drugs may be beneficial, they can also bring serious complications.
Although there is appropriate treatment, there are patients that develop progressive loss of kidney function and renal failure. This requires the use of artificial dialysis, and that can be done by hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.Also, it can be made a kidney transplantation, and it is known that this has been very successful in patients with renal failure from lupus nephritis.
Over the years, science advanced in the understanding of what causes lupus nephritis, and there were made improvements in ways to treat patients.
By: Groshan Fabiola
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
For more resources about discoid lupus please review this www.lupus-guide.com/lupus-treatment.htm or even www.lupus-guide.com/discoid-lupus.htm
Acute renal failure in paediatric systemic lupus erythematosus
Efficacy and safety of treatment regimens were compared. Methods. A total of 249 pSLE patients were diagnosed and prospectively followed at a single centre between July 1973 and July 2003; 127 children (51%) had lupus nephritis.
Drugs Comparable for Adolescent Lupus Nephritis
All patients met ACR criteria for SLE and had active or active/chronic Class III, IV, or V lupus nephritis, which had been confirmed by kidney biopsy within six months of randomization.
Lupus Nephritis and Its Medications
It is predictable that roughly one-third of people with lupus will build up nephritis that needs medical check up and treatment. Lupus nephritis is a significant and potentially critical symptom of lupus.
Update on the treatment of lupus nephritis
Therapy of lupus nephritis can be divided into an induction phase and a maintenance phase. Initial treatment is usually more aggressive and aims at inducing remission of nephritis while maintenance therapy is needed to prevent renal [...]
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