WHAT IS LUPUS: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, DIAGNOSIS, AND MORE

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Lupus is a condition in which your immune system assaults your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). Lupus-related inflammation can impact many different body systems, including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.

Lupus is difficult to diagnose since its signs and symptoms frequently resemble those of other illnesses. The most distinguishing feature of lupus is a face rash that mimics butterfly wings unfolding across both cheeks, which occurs in many but not all instances of lupus.

Some people are genetically predisposed to developing lupus, which can be caused by infections, certain medicines, or even sunshine. Although there is no cure for lupus, medications can help manage symptoms.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF LUPUS?

There are no two lupus instances that are alike. Signs and symptoms might appear abruptly or gradually, be moderate or severe, and be transient or permanent. Most people with lupus have mild disease, which is characterized by flares, which occur when signs and symptoms worsen for a period of time, then improve or even disappear altogether.

The lupus signs and symptoms you experience will be determined by which body systems are damaged by the condition. The following are the most common signs and symptoms:

When exposed to cold or during stressful situations, the fingers and toes turn white or blue.

Breathing difficulty

Chest ache

Eyes that are dry

Headaches, fuzziness, and memory loss

Fatigue

Fever

Joint pain, stiffness, and edema

Rashes on the face in the shape of a butterfly, covering the cheekbones and bridge of the nose, or rashes elsewhere on the body

Skin lesions that form or intensify as a result of sun exposure

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF LUPUS?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system assaults healthy tissue in your body. Lupus is most likely caused by a mix of your genetics and your environment.

People who have a hereditary proclivity for lupus may develop the disease if they come into contact with something in their environment that can trigger lupus. In most cases, the cause of lupus is unknown. Among the potential triggers are:

Sunlight: Sun exposure may cause lupus skin lesions or cause an internal response in persons who are sensitive.

Infections: Infections can trigger lupus or induce a relapse in certain persons.

Medications: Certain blood pressure drugs, anti-seizure medications, and antibiotics can all cause lupus. When people with drug-induced lupus stop taking the medicine, they usually recover better. In rare cases, symptoms may persist long after the medicine is discontinued.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR LUPUS?

The following factors may raise your risk of lupus:

Your gender: Women are more likely to develop lupus.

Age: Lupus affects people of all ages, however it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45.

Race: Lupus affects African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans more frequently.

WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF LUPUS?

Lupus-related inflammation can damage numerous parts of your body, including your:

Kidneys: Lupus can seriously affect the kidneys, and renal failure is one of the primary causes of mortality in patients with lupus.

The central nervous system and the brain: Lupus can cause headaches, dizziness, behavioral changes, eyesight issues, and even strokes or seizures in the brain. Many persons with lupus suffer memory problems and may struggle to articulate themselves.

Blood and blood vessels: Lupus can cause blood abnormalities such as anemia (low red blood cell count) and an increased risk of bleeding or blood clotting. It can also cause blood vessel irritation.

Lungs: Lupus raises your chances of having an inflammation of the lining of your chest cavity, which can make breathing difficult. Bleeding into the lungs and pneumonia are other possibilities.

Heart: Lupus can induce inflammation of the heart muscle, arteries, and membranes. The risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks also rises significantly.

Other complications

Lupus also increases your chances of:

Infection: Lupus patients are more susceptible to infection since the disease and its therapies can both weaken the immune system.

Cancer: Lupus appears to increase your risk of cancer, but the danger is minor.

Bone tissue death: This happens when the blood flow to a bone decreases, which commonly leads to microscopic breaches in the bone and, finally, bone collapse.

Complications of pregnancy: Women with lupus are more likely to miscarry. Lupus raises the risk of premature birth and high blood pressure during pregnancy. Doctors frequently advise deferring conception until your disease has been under control for at least six months to lessen the risk of severe consequences.

HOW IS LUPUS DIAGNOSED?

Lupus is difficult to diagnose since indications and symptoms vary greatly from person to person. Lupus symptoms can alter over time and overlap with those of many other diseases.

Lupus cannot be diagnosed with a single test. The diagnosis is made based on the results of blood and urine tests, signs and symptoms, and physical examination findings.

Laboratory tests

Blood and urine testing may include the following:

Total blood count: This test counts red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, as well as hemoglobin, a substance found in red blood cells. The results could indicate that you have anemia, which is frequent in people with lupus. Lupus can also cause a low white blood cell or platelet count.

Rate of erythrocyte sedimentation: This blood test measures how quickly red blood cells drop to the bottom of a tube in an hour. A higher-than-normal rate could suggest a systemic condition like lupus. The sedimentation rate is not disease-specific. If you have lupus, an infection, another inflammatory disorder, or cancer, it may be increased.

Kidney and liver assessment: Blood testing can determine how effectively your kidneys and liver are working. These organs can be affected by Lupus.

Urinalysis: An analysis of a urine sample may reveal an elevated protein level or red blood cells, which may occur if your kidneys have been impacted by lupus.

Test for antinuclear antibodies (ANA): A positive test for the presence of these antibodies, which are produced by your immune system, suggests that your immune system is aroused. While the majority of people with lupus have a positive ANA test, the majority of people who have a positive ANA do not have lupus. If you test positive for ANA, your doctor may recommend further antibody testing.

Imaging tests

If your doctor feels that you have lupus that is damaging your lungs or heart, he or she may recommend:

Chest X-ray: A chest imaging may reveal aberrant shadows indicating fluid or inflammation in your lungs.

Echocardiogram: This test use sound waves to generate real-time photographs of your heartbeat. It can look for abnormalities with your heart's valves and other components.

Biopsy

Lupus can damage your kidneys in a variety of ways, and therapies varies based on the type of damage that occurs. In some circumstances, a small sample of kidney tissue must be tested to establish the appropriate treatment. A needle or a minor incision might be used to acquire the sample.

A skin biopsy may be conducted to confirm a diagnosis of lupus of the skin.

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR LUPUS?

Lupus treatment is determined by your indications and symptoms. Determining whether you should be treated and which medications to take necessitates a comprehensive discussion with your doctor of the benefits and hazards.

You and your doctor may need to adjust drugs or dosages as your signs and symptoms flare and subside. The following drugs are routinely used to treat lupus:

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): Over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others), can be used to treat lupus-related pain, edema, and fever. Prescription-only NSAIDs are available. NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney difficulties, and an increased risk of cardiac problems.

Antimalarial medications: Malaria medications, such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), influence the immune system and can help reduce the incidence of lupus flares. Side effects may include stomach upset and, in rare cases, retinal impairment. When taking these drugs, regular eye exams are advised.

Immunosuppressants: Immunosuppressive drugs may be beneficial in severe cases of lupus. Azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan), mycophenolate (Cellcept), methotrexate (Trexall, Xatmep, and others), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf), and leflunomide are among examples (Arava). Potential side effects include increased infection risk, liver damage, decreased fertility, and an increased risk of cancer.

Biologics: In some people, a new form of drug, belimumab (Benlysta) taken intravenously, lowers lupus symptoms. Nausea, diarrhea, and infections are some of the side effects. Depression can occasionally worsen.

Rituximab (Rituxan, Truxima) may be effective for some persons who have not responded to other treatments. Infections and allergic reactions to the intravenous infusion are among the side effects.

Corticosteroids: Prednisone and other corticosteroids can help to reduce lupus inflammation. High doses of steroids, such as methylprednisolone (Medrol), are frequently used to treat significant renal and brain disorders. Weight gain, easy bruising, thinning bones, high blood pressure, diabetes, and an increased risk of infection are all possible side effects. With higher doses and longer treatment duration, the chance of side effects increases.

Voclosporin has been found in clinical trials to be effective in the treatment of lupus.

Other potential lupus treatments under investigation include abatacept (Orencia), anifrolumab, and others.

HOME REMEDIES FOR LUPUS

If you have lupus, take steps to care for your body. Simple precautions can help you avoid lupus flares and cope better with the signs and symptoms that occur. Make an effort to:

Regularly visit your doctor: Regular checks, rather than only visiting your doctor when your symptoms worsen, may help your doctor prevent flares and address basic health concerns, such as stress, nutrition, and exercise, which can help prevent lupus complications.

Maintain a healthy diet: A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Dietary restrictions are often necessary, especially if you have high blood pressure, kidney impairment, or gastrointestinal issues.

Consult your doctor if you require vitamin D or calcium supplements: Supplemental vitamin D may assist persons with lupus, according to some data. A calcium supplement can assist you in meeting the daily recommended dietary allowance of 1,000 milligrams to 1,200 milligrams, depending on your age, to help keep your bones healthy.

Be sun-aware: Because ultraviolet light can induce a flare, wear protective clothes such as a hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants whenever you go outside, and use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 55.

Exercise on a regular basis: Exercise can help keep your bones healthy, lower your chance of a heart attack, and improve your overall health.

Avoid smoking: Tobacco use raises your risk of cardiovascular disease and can exacerbate the effects of lupus on your heart and blood vessels.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE FOR LUPUS

Lupus patients may seek alternative or complementary medicine. There are no alternative therapies that have been proved to change the course of lupus, while some may aid with symptoms.

Before beginning any therapies on your own, consult with your doctor. He or she can assist you in weighing the pros and hazards and determining whether the therapies will interfere with your current lupus drugs.

Lupus complementary and alternative treatments include:

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone): Taking this hormone supplementation in addition to traditional treatment may help minimize lupus flares. Acne may be caused by DHEA in women.

Fish oil: Fish oil supplements include omega-3 fatty acids, which may be beneficial to lupus patients. Preliminary research has shown some promise, but additional research is needed. Fish oil supplements can cause nausea, belching, and a fishy taste in the mouth.

Acupuncture: This therapy employs the use of small needles implanted just beneath the epidermis. It may aid in the relief of lupus-related muscle discomfort.

HOW TO COPE WITH LUPUS

If you have lupus, you are likely to experience a range of uncomfortable emotions, from fear to acute frustration. Living with lupus increases your risk of depression and other mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem. To help you cope, try the following:

Learn everything you can about lupus: Write down any lupus-related questions you have as they arise so that you can address them at your next consultation. Inquire with your doctor or nurse about reliable sources of additional information. The more you understand about lupus, the more confident you will be in your treatment options.

Make some time for yourself: Take time for yourself to deal with stress in your life. Spend that time reading, meditating, listening to music, or writing in a journal. Find activities that will both relax and rejuvenate you.

Make contact with other lupus patients: Talk to other lupus patients. You can connect with others through local support groups or internet message boards. Other people with lupus can provide unique assistance because they face many of the same challenges and frustrations that you do.

Gather help from your friends and family: Discuss lupus with your friends and family, and explain how they can assist you during flares. Lupus might be aggravating for your loved ones because they can't see it and you may not appear sick.

Family and friends won't know whether you're having a good or poor day unless you tell them. Be honest about your emotions so that your loved ones know what to expect.