Symptoms of Lupus

Lupus Treatment Options

Symptoms of lupus and treatment...

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects people of different races, ages, ethnicities and gender. Having said this there are some interesting studies that indicate that approximately 90% of people affected are women and that Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans are more likely to have this condition.

The most common type of lupus is called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Systemic means that many different systems are affected at the same time. This disorder is characterized by episodes that come and go and different parts of your body suffer from chronic inflammation.

Blood cells, eyes, skin, muscles, joints, kidneys, lungs, heart, stomach, and even the brain, can be affected.

Approximately fifty percent of people who suffer from lupus develop problems within their internal organs and the other fifty percent with their skin and joints.

Symptoms of Lupus

First of all, it's important to note that not everyone suffering with this disease develops the same symptoms of lupus, however, the following are the most common:

Muscle pain, fever and fatigue – these are the common initial symptoms of lupus, however, they may be present in other autoimmune diseases and are not enough to determine if you have lupus disease or not.

Rash – approximately 30% to 50% of patients suffer of malar or "butterfly" rash which appears on the cheeks and the bridge of the nose. Some people may also develop a scaly rash in the shape of a disc on the face, neck, ears, scalp or chest.

Ulcers – in the mouth or vagina.

Baldness (alopecia)

Sunlight sensitivity - people with lupus frequently suffer from rashes, exhaustion or sunburn easily.

Serositis – this is inflammation of the lining of the organs such as lungs and heart that can cause breathing problems and chest pain.

Arthritis - joint pain, stiffness and swelling.

Kidney problems - you may not know if you have problems due to the lack of symptoms or you may experience leg swelling (edema) and high blood pressure. If there are no signs, a blood test and urinalysis are needed to help determine if there are problems with your kidneys, such as inflammation.

Neurological problems – these include headaches, vision problems, seizures and dizziness.

Low white blood cell count

Anemia

Other symptoms of lupus that are not specific to this condition but can be present include: nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, lack of appetite, hair loss, chest pain with and without a cough, swollen glands, leg swelling and Raynaud's disease (Raynaud's is a condition where the fingers, toes, nose and ears change color when exposed to cold temperatures).

What is the Cause of Lupus?

As with other autoimmune diseases it is still unknown why the body mistakenly attacks certain healthy cells and tissues, however, it is believed that a viral infection, inheritance or hormones trigger the autoimmune response.

The Diagnosis

It may take some time to diagnose lupus because the symptoms of lupus are similar to the signs and symptoms of other autoimmune disorders, and, not everyone experiences the same problems. You may need to have clinical and laboratory tests to help your doctor identify this condition. These may include:

Blood test to spot anemia

Urinalysis to determine protein and/or red blood cell levels in the urine and an ANA (Anti-nuclear antibody) test that can indicate a stimulated immune system. It should be noted that the ANA antibodies can be present in other autoimmune diseases and a positive ANA does not mean that a person has lupus.

Chest X-ray to see if there is fluid or inflammation in the lungs.

An electrocardiogram to identify irregular rhythms and either damage to or enlargement of the heart.

How is Fertility and Pregnancy Affected if You Have Lupus?

Women with lupus may be faced with a decline in fertility and there's also a risk of miscarriage, especially in very early or very late stages of pregnancy. Careful planning and treatment can minimize this risk and allow you to have a healthy baby.

Treatment of lupus

The treatment of lupus is determined by the organs affected and the severity of the disease. As part of the treatment Doctors may include Aspirin or nonsteroidal medications to reduce joint and other tissue inflammation.

In more severe cases corticosteroids may be used to help with the inflammation, however, these can have serious side effects such as weight gain, easy bruising, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, diabetes and an increased risk of infection.

Immunosuppressive medications can be part of the treatment of lupus especially when the kidneys are at risk. They reduce the normal immune response and may have side effects such as anemia and a low white blood cell count. Please be aware that these medications can increase the risk of infection and cancer.

Herbal and Natural Supplements

Chronic inflammation, muscle and joint pain and stiffness are some of the common symptoms of lupus that people with this condition have to endure. Even though corticosteroids can relieve these problems its short and long term side effects can be intimidating and complex.

If you are looking for a natural and, most importantly, safe way to fight inflammation and pain effectively, you may want to learn more about a comprehensive formula that features a unique blend of herbs that helps mediate inflammation and decrease pain and stiffness like no other.

A team of natural health experts have created this formula and many people suffering with muscle and joint pain due to autoimmune diseases such as lupus have greatly benefited from it. It contains key natural ingredients that are efficient in relieving pain and reducing autoimmune responses.

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more than symptoms of lupus on our health conditions page

Legal Disclaimer: The nutritional and health information contained in this web site is for educational purposes only and its not meant to replace medical advice, diagnose or treat any disease. Nutritional benefits may differ from one person to another, because each person is different. Medical doctors and healthcare professionals can provide disagreeing opinions on health issues consequently, each person in the end is responsible for directing their own health care.