Lupus Treatment

Lupus is a complicated disease. It’s autoimmune, which means that the body’s tissues are attacked by its own immune system. It usually attacks germs and bacteria in the body, but with lupus, the immune system can’t recognize the healthy from the infected tissue. This can cause inflammation in various parts of the body, so this means that the symptoms can vary a lot. Parts of the body commonly infected are knees, joints, kidneys, lungs, skin, the heart. Inflammation is the most common state of it and are usually pain, heat, redness and swelling. Usually not all body parts are affected, but two or three are common. You might suffer from reoccurring knee inflammation, kidney pain, redness and inflammatory skin. The Lupus Foundation Of America estimates about 1.5 million Americans suffer from it, but the actual sufferers are probably a lot more, since many are having less severe variations of the disease.

There are three main parts of lupus: first we have the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. This is the most common one. Systemic means that it’s the intestines that are attacked, like kidneys, lungs, heart and brain.

The other is Discoid Lupus Erythematosus, and that affects the skin. Red rash is common, or color change in the skin.

The third common variation is Drug-induced lupus, that comes with taking some medications. This state usually disappears when the medication is not taken anymore.

At present time, there is no cure for lupus. But there are many things you can do to minimize the symptoms, so that it gets easier to live with. The needs are very individual when it comes to treating lupus. Anti inflammatory drugs can help, if you are suffering from it in ligaments and skin. Usually you need to take a holistic approach to your disease and how to minimize it. This means that you could feel much better by changing several areas in your life, such as foods, exercising and rest.

Do you want more information on lupus and how to treat it? Please visit the Lupus Disease Site to learn more

Beatrice Stephenson is a freelance writer on health and recreation issues.

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What is Lupus?

Lupus is an auto immune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue. The result of these attacks is chronic inflammation and although the severity of Lupus can vary greatly, it can ultimately be a fatal disease. Lupus is a condition where the immune system creates anti bodies, which circulate in the blood stream and attack various tissues and organs in the body. Some times only the tissue of the skin is affected but in other cases the internal organs become targeted. Cases where only skin tissue is affected is called discoid lupus, but the more pervasive and serious form is referred to as systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE for short. SLE commonly attacks the heart, lungs, kidneys, joints and nervous system.

What causes Lupus?

Like all auto immune diseases, little is known about the causes and triggers of Lupus. Experts tend to agree that family history is a contributing factor although this is an accepted characteristic present in all auto immune diseases rather than a specific trait of lupus. One area of particular interest for researchers lies in “drug induced lupus” which is explained at http://www.lupuspage.com Some drugs are known to stimulate the immune system and thus trigger systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE. These drugs include:

-hydralazine (which is used to treat high blood pressure)

-quinidine and procainamide (which are both used for regulating heart beat)

-phentoin (which is used to control epilepsy)

-isoniazide (which is used to treat tuberculosis)

-penicillamine (which is used to treat arthritis)

Because the cause of drug induced lupus is known, these cases can usually be treated successfully by discontinuing the use of medication.

What are the symptoms of Lupus?

The most recognizable symptom if lupus is the “butterfly” rash that occurs predominately in cases of discoid lupus. The rash is red and often appears on the nose and cheeks. Pictures of this trademark rash are available at http://www.lupus247.com Apart from the possibility of some scarring and possible hair loss, the rash is not very serious.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a more complex form of lupus and because many different organs can be involved, a variety of symptoms can present. Like many auto immune disorders fatigue and muscle aches can occur but the propensity for infection and bleeding is a serious danger. Organ damage and organ failure are major causes for concern and there is an increased occurrence of other auto immune disease such as arthritis.

The author is a regular contributor to http://www.lupuspage.com and permission to reproduce this article is given only on the basis that all links remain active and intact.

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Systemic lupus erythematosus is a common autoimmune chronic disease. The disease causes the immune system to attack the healthy blood cells and tissues instead of malign external infectious organisms. People with systemic lupus erythematosus suffer from many disorders associated with the abnormal activity of the immune system. Patients with severe forms of lupus can also suffer from diseases of the internal organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver), musculoskeletal disorders (arthritis, osteoporosis), skin disorders (lupus rash) and diseases of the nervous system. People with lupus may have different symptoms and they can experience them at various intensities.

Considering the fact that systemic lupus erythematosus generates various uncharacteristic symptoms, it is very difficult to diagnose the disease relying only on physical examinations and patients’ reports of their symptoms. Many symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus can be actually misleading in the process of diagnosing the disease. Lupus can be correctly diagnosed only through the means of blood analyses and laboratory tests. If some of the patients’ experienced symptoms are linked to systemic lupus erythematosus, the medical treatment will be established according to the affected persons’ overall health condition.

If the disorder is in its initial stage and the patients’ symptoms are not very intense, the lupus treatment will be focused on preventing the occurrence of other diseases associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. However, if the patients’ symptoms are intense and the autoimmune disease is severe, the lupus treatment will be aimed at suppressing the malign action of the immune system on the body.

Systemic lupus erythematosus has an unpredictable evolution. People with the disease can experience short periods of symptomatic remission between episodes of symptomatic intensification. Most lupus treatments are focused upon extending the periods of remission and on ameliorating the symptoms of the disease. Although there is no effective cure for lupus, most medical treatments can keep the disease under control. However, due to the pronounced chronic character of the disease, patients require ongoing lupus treatment.

The most common medications prescribed in lupus treatments are: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, antimalarials and cytotoxic medications. Biologic medications can also be prescribed in lupus treatments in order to stop the production of certain antibodies that have a malign action on the organism. In severe forms of the disease (after prolonged medical treatments with immunosuppressive drugs), some lupus treatments can also include strong antibiotics. Lupus treatments often include analgesics and mild sedatives.

Corticosteroids are commonly prescribed in lupus treatments. These are powerful drugs that control the activity of the dysfunctional immune system.

Antimalarials are aimed at reducing the skin lesions and inflammation characteristic to lupus. These drugs are often used in both discoid and systemic lupus treatments.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often prescribed in lupus treatments for reducing muscle pain and swelling or inflammation and rigidity of the joints.

Cytotoxic medications are very powerful and they are prescribed only to patients with severe forms of lupus. Cytotoxic medications and corticosteroids are usually prescribed together in lupus treatments and their aim is to suppress the production of antibodies that are harmful to the organism.

So if you want to find more about Lupus or more details about lupus treatment please follow this link http://www.lupus-guide.com.

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Lupus is a common disease and yet many people have not even heard of it. It is said that lupus affects more people than multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and leukemia. The treatment of lupus is difficult because of this massive ignorance when it comes to the disease. So what is lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the sufferer’s own body turns on itself. Antibodies are created that start attacking the body instead of protecting it. Some of the symptoms resemble those of other diseases so the treatment of lupus often goes ignored. The symptoms often lead to the condition being diagnosed as arthritis or multiple sclerosis. At the time of writing, the effective treatment of lupus is hampered by the fact that there is no one single test that can positively identify a disease as lupus.

Sometimes, lupus affects just a single part of the body, the most common areas being:

• Lungs: lupus can cause an inflammation of the lining leading to pneumonia or pleuritis.
• Kidneys: lupus can also cause inflammation of the kidneys, and this could lead to nephritis. In this case, there is usually no pain before the onset of nephritis so the lupus could go untreated.
• Heart: in this case, chest pains might be experienced, or a hardening of the arteries may occur.
• Blood: lupus can also result in anemia and it could also cause the blood vessels to become inflamed.

Lupus usually involves a red rash that breaks out somewhere in the body, most usually the face. The treatment of the rash should include a good sunscreen. Sometimes, the treatment of lupus has to take into account the fact that the patient may be on some medication which triggers off the attack. In the treatment of lupus, flu shots are also recommended, as they can prevent secondary infections common to those with lupus. Some patients feel that lupus could be triggered off by dental fillings and hair dye although so far no conclusive evidence has been found of a connection. Fear and anxiety may trigger off an attack, so stopping the use of certain products may have a placebo effect, even if physiologically there is little benefit.Natural Treatment of Lupus

An all-round healthy diet that includes all the necessary vitamins and minerals is the most effective way to prevent and treat lupus. The treatment of lupus must ensure that the patient has a good nutritious diet and exercise is a must. Calming breathing exercises and meditation could also be tried in the treatment of lupus to calm the patient and reduce the risk of skin flare ups.

Author Bio:

Mitamins team

bd@mitamins.net

Targeted: Lupus; Safety: Avoid Vitamins Overdose, Supplement Drug Interactions; Quality: Freshly Made with Brand Ingredients.

vitamin support for lupus treatment

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In this article ‘Living With Lupus: Linseed (Flaxseed) Can Help You In Living With Your Lupus’, you will discover:

• What is linseed (flaxseed)?
• How can linseed (flaxseed) help you in living with your lupus?
• How much linseed (flaxseed) do you need to help you in living with your lupus?

What Is Linseed?

Linseed is also referred to as flaxseed.

Linseed (flaxseed) has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties.

Linseed (flaxseed) is extremely rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid) and omega-6 essential fatty acid (linolenic acid).

The essential fatty acids within linseed (flaxseed), helps it to improve the immune system and protect against infections and certain cancers.

Apart from helping with lupus, linseed (flaxseed) can also help with the following of conditions:

• Arthritis
• Colitis
• Psoriasis
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Coronary Heart Disease
• PMS
• Prostate Problems
• Constipation
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

How Can Linseed (Flaxseed) Help You in Living With Your Lupus?

Linseed (flaxseed) can help you in living with your lupus because of the anti-inflammatory properties of the omega-3 essential fatty acids which are rich in linseed.

This helps to reduce the inflammation caused by lupus.

Plus, linseed (flaxseed) is rich in antioxidants, which can also help with the symptoms associated with lupus.

Clinical trials involving lupus sufferers, found that kidney function, atherosclerotic and inflammation all improved when taking linseed (flaxseed).

How Much Linseed (Flaxseed) Do You Need to Help You In Living With Your Lupus?

To help you in living with your lupus, try taking a couple of tablespoons of linseed (flaxseed) with water twice a day at mealtimes.

Note: linseed (flaxseed) is considered generally safe to take with no major side-effects.

But as with all supplements, please consult your doctor before taking linseed (flaxseed), especially if you are on medication or suffering from a health condition.

So, to sum up…

Linseed (flaxseed) can help you in living with your lupus, because it is rich in omega three essential fatty acids and antioxidants.

These health properties within linseed (flaxseed) can help to reduce the symptoms associated with lupus.

Lupus is a difficult to diagnose disease of the autoimmune system. Doctors are baffled about the cause of lupus and because of this, there is currently no medical cure for lupus.

Lupus affects the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, and brain. Lupus can be hard to diagnose because it affects every patient differently. In fact, lupus can have varied effects for the same patient through time.

The Immune System

Your immune system protects your body from foreign bodies, bacteria, microbes, viruses and other germs. White blood cells and antibodies attack foreign material, destroy it, break it down, and remove it from your body.

Lupus causes the immune system to mistake healthy cells and tissue as foreign invaders. This causes the immune system to attack the body. Destruction of healthy tissue and cells causes inflammation and damages various tissue and organs.

Symptoms of Lupus

Patients with lupus go through cycles of symptoms. Lupus symptoms can range from being mildly irritating to being serious. Symptoms of lupus often are the same as symptoms for other diseases and which can make it very difficult to diagnose.

While lupus varies from patient to patient and lupus symptoms vary during cycles in the same patient. Symptoms of lupus can include:

Swollen or painful joints (arthritis)
Skin rashes
Unexplained fever
Fatigue
Hair loss
Headache
Photo sensitivity
Kidney problems
Chest pain
Anemia
Depression

Even though the allopathic medical profession cannot offer a cure for lupus, the field of alternative medicine offer ways to improve the functioning of the immune system. Many scientific studies have confirmed the efficacy of nutrition and herbs on the health and well-being of lupus patients and its only a matter of time before the medical profession recognizes these remedies.

While the symptoms of lupus are so difficult to pinpoint, it is important to understand some of the common factors of this disease, in order to know what is lupus and how it affects you.

Denise Morgan is a medical researcher who specializes in natural remedies. You can sign up to receive her free health reports at http://freehealthtopics.com/lupus/

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Lupus is a rare condition, but it can be a very difficult one. When you suffer from lupus, more than one of your organs may be affected. There are three lupus types that one can suffer from: systemic, discoid and lupus induced by drugs.

The discoid form of lupus affects only somebody’ s skin. To diagnose this kind of lupus, the doctor has to do a biopsy of the rash that you are suffering. Because discoid lupus affects only the skin in form of a rash, this is the only proper way to diagnose lupus. The biopsy of the skin affected by lupus will show some abnormalities that otherwise will not be found in a type of skin that has not been affected by lupus. This type of lupus does not affect the internal organs. So a blood test will not be able to confirm if you have discoid lupus or not. Blood tests are used to detect another lupus type, the systematic lupus. There are lupus patients that will show a positive result in their blood test, even if they are suffering from discoid lupus. However, the levels of tiver in their blood will be very little. Although the discoid form of lupus only affects your skin, this lupus type can evolve and become the systemic type of lupus. This particular lupus type can affects almost all your internal organs. Systemic lupus can also atack your nervous system. Unfortunately, this change from discoid lupus to systemic lupus can not be prevented. Even if your treat your discoid type of lupus, you can to prevent it from developing into the systemic lupus type.

Many of the people that go on to have systemic lupus, probably suffered from this form of lupus from the beginning, and the discoid lupus was just one of the symptoms. Normally, there are not two people that suffer from systemic lupus and have the same symptoms. However, many of the lupus symptoms that they have can be similar. The third type of lupus, that induced by drugs, usually sets off after you use a certain drug. The signs of the drug induced type of lupus are very similar to the systemic lupus type. The drugs that are more related with lupus are those used for high blood pressure. Drugs that are used to treat an irregular heart beat are also thought to cause lupus.

For more resources about lupus please review this http://www.lupus-guide.com/lupus-rash.htm or even http://www.lupus-guide.com/symptoms-of-lupus.htm

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