Do You Have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disease, which means that your natural defense system attacks its own tissues instead of attacking foreign substances like bacteria and viruses. This causes inflammation. Inflammation causes swelling, pain, and tissue damage throughout the body. If you develop severe lupus, you may have problems with your kidneys, heart, lungs, nervous system, or blood cells. Lupus is the common name for systemic lupus erythematosus (or SLE).
Although some people with systemic lupus erythematosus have only mild symptoms, the disease is lifelong and can become severe. Most people can control their systemic lupus erythematosus symptoms and prevent severe damage to their organs. They do this by regularly seeing their physicians, getting enough rest and exercise, and maintaining their medicine regimine. There are four other types of lupus: discoid or cutaneous lupus, drug-induced systemic lupus, neonatal lupus, and subacute cutaneous lupus.
What causessystemic lupus erythematosus?
The exact cause of systemic lupus erythematosus is not known. Many think that some people are born with certain genes that affect their immune system and that they are more likely to get systemic lupus erythematosus. A number of other factors can trigger lupus attacks. These include viral infections, including the virus that causes mononucleosis, and sunlight.
Although these things can trigger lupus, some may affect one individual but not another.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus vary widely, and they come and go. When symptoms get worse are called relapses, or flares. The times when symptoms are not so bad are called remissions.
Common symptoms include feeling very tired and having joint pain or swelling (arthritis), a fever, and a skin rash. The rash often happens after you have been in the sun. Mouth sores and hair loss may occur. Over time, some people with lupus have problems with the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood cells, or nervous system.
How is systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosed?
There is no single test for systemic lupus erythematosus. Because systemic lupus affects individuals in different ways, it can be difficult to diagnose.
Your doctor will check for systemic lupus erythematosus by talking with you, looking for symptoms, and doing some blood work. It is easier for your physician to diagnose if you have the most common symptoms and your blood has certain proteins. These proteins are called antinuclear antibodies, or ANAs. But other problems can cause your body to make ANAs, so doctors will use blood tests and other tests to find out if you have lupus.
How is systemic lupus erythematosus treated?
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is treated by:
- Applying corticosteroid cream for rashes.
- Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for mild joint or muscle pain and fever.
- Taking antimalarial medicines to treat fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, and lung inflammation.
- Taking low-dose corticosteroids if other medicines are not controlling your symptoms.
Because corticosteroids are powerful medicines and can cause serious side effects, the doctor will recommend the lowest dose that will give the most benefit.
The doctor may also recommend other medicines that slow down the immune system.
How can you manage systemic lupus erythematosus?
One of the goals of controlling mild to moderate lupus symptoms is to prevent flares, the times when your symptoms are worse. Some of the other things you can do include:
- Rest to reduce stress.
- Avoid the sun. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when you are outside.
- Exercise regularly to prevent fatigue and joint stiffness.
- Stop smoking.
- Learn the warning signs of a symptoms flare, such as fatigue, pain, and rash, and take steps to control them.
With good self-care, most people with lupus can keep doing their regular daily activities.
It is important to learn about systemic lupus erythematosus so that you can understand how it might affect your life and how you can best cope with it. Also, help your family and friends understand your limitations and needs when your symptoms flare. Develop a support system of family, friends, and health professionals.
More information about Lupus Erythematosus .