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| Lupus |
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Introduction:
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The immune system is designed to attack foreign substances in the
body. If you have lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system and it
attacks healthy cells and tissues. This can damage many parts of the body such
as the: Joints Skin Kidneys Heart Lungs Blood vessels Brain. There are many
kinds of lupus. The most common type, systemic lupus erythematosus, affects
many parts of the body. Other types of lupus are: Discoid lupus erythematosus –
causes a skin rash that doesn’t go away Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
– causes skin sores on parts of the body exposed to sun Drug-induced lupus –
can be caused by medications Neonatal lupus – a rare type of lupus that affects
newborns.
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| Symptoms of Lupus: |
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Symptoms of lupus vary, but some of the most common symptoms of
lupus are: Pain or swelling in joints Muscle pain Fever with no known cause Red
rashes, most often on the face Chest pain when taking a deep breath Hair loss
Pale or purple fingers or toes Sensitivity to the sun Swelling in legs or
around eyes Mouth ulcers Swollen glands Feeling very tired. Less common
symptoms include: Anemia (a decrease in red blood cells) Headaches Dizzy spells
Feeling sad Confusion Seizures. Symptoms may come and go. The times when a
person is having symptoms are called flares, which can range from mild to
severe. New symptoms may appear at any time.
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| How to Diagnosed Lupus: |
| There is no single test to diagnose lupus. It may take months or years for a
doctor to diagnose lupus. Your doctor may use many tools to make a diagnosis:
Medical history Complete exam Blood tests Skin biopsy (looking at skin samples
under a microscope Kidney biopsy (looking at tissue from your kidney under a
microscope). |
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| How Is Lupus Treated: |
You may need special kinds of doctors to treat the many symptoms of lupus. Your
health care team may include: A family doctor Rheumatologists – doctors who
treat arthritis and other diseases that cause swelling in the joints Clinical
immunologists – doctors who treat immune system disorders Nephrologists –
doctors who treat kidney disease Hematologists – doctors who treat blood
disorders Dermatologists – doctors who treat skin diseases Neurologists –
doctors who treat problems with the nervous system Nurses Psychologists Social
workers. Your doctor will develop a  treatment
plan to fit your needs. You and your doctor should review the plan often to be
sure it is working. You should report new symptoms to your doctor right away so
that treatment can be changed if needed. The goals of the treatment plan are
to: Prevent flares Treat flares when they occur Reduce organ damage and other
problems. Treatments may include drugs to: Reduce swelling and pain Prevent or
reduce flares Calm the immune system Reduce or prevent damage to joints.
Alternative treatments are those that are not part of standard treatment. No
research shows that this kind of treatment works for people with lupus. You
should talk to your doctor about alternative treatments. |
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| What Can You Do: |
| It is vital that you take an active role in your treatment. One key to living
with lupus is to know about the disease and its impact. Being able to spot the
warning signs of a flare can help you prevent the flare or make the symptoms
less severe. Many people with lupus have certain symptoms just before a flare,
such as: Feeling more tired Pain Rash Fever Stomach ache Headache Dizziness.
You should see your doctor often, even when symptoms are not severe. These
visits will help you and your doctor to: Look for changes in symptoms Predict
and prevent flares Change the treatment plan as needed Detect side effects of
treatment. It is also important to find ways to cope with the stress of having
lupus. Exercising and finding ways to relax may make it easier for you to cope.
A good support system can also help. A support system may include family,
friends, community groups, or doctors. Many people with lupus have found
support groups to be very useful. Besides providing support, taking part in a
support group can make you feel better about yourself and help you to keep a
good outlook. Learning more about lupus is very important. Studies have shown
that patients who are informed and involved in their own care: Have less pain
Make fewer visits to the doctor Feel better about themselves Remain more
active. |
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| What Do Pregnant Women With Lupus Need to Know: |
| Women with lupus can and do have healthy babies. There are a few things to keep
in mind if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant: Most women
with lupus carry their babies safely. Pregnant women with lupus should see
their doctors often. Lupus can flare during pregnancy. Quick treatment during a
flare can keep the mother healthy. Doctors can help prevent flares. |
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Source Adapted and Modified From:
http://www.niams.nih.gov
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