What Is Lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect many organ systems. In people who have lupus, antibodies are created by the body’s immune system and directed against the body’s own cells. Lupus affects the connective tissue, or the tissue that provides strength to joints, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. The severity of the disease ranges from minor to life-threatening complications that must be aggressively treated.
Lupus is a chronic condition. People with lupus tend to experience symptomatic periods, followed by periods of few symptoms or no symptoms at all. Total remissions are rare. Lupus flare-ups can be triggered by a number of factors, including exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and toxins and a reduced antioxidant status.
The most common form of lupus is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Other forms of lupus include cutaneous lupus, which affects the skin (and accounts for about 10 percent of all cases of lupus) and drug-induced lupus, which is caused by an inappropriate reaction to a drug or medication. Drug-induced lupus usually recedes when the drug is withdrawn.
Causes of Lupus
Lupus is a chronic condition. People with lupus tend to experience symptomatic periods, followed by periods of few symptoms or no symptoms at all. Total remissions are rare. Lupus flare-ups can be triggered by a number of factors, including exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and toxins and a reduced antioxidant status.
The most common form of lupus is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Other forms of lupus include cutaneous lupus, which affects the skin (and accounts for about 10 percent of all cases of lupus) and drug-induced lupus, which is caused by an inappropriate reaction to a drug or medication. Drug-induced lupus usually recedes when the drug is withdrawn.
Causes of Lupus
Lupus is considered a multigenic disease, meaning that it is caused by defects in multiple genes. Researchers have not identified a specific lupus gene, but have identified a number of genetic abnormalities that predispose people to developing lupus. It is likely that these multiple genetic defects each contribute a small amount to the abnormal immune responses seen in lupus. If enough of these genetic defects accumulate in the same person, the disease may develop.
Nutrition can play an important role in lupus management, both in the prevention of flare-ups and in the management of inflammatory conditions that are associated with lupus. Specific nutrients can be utilized to improve cell communication, improve cell repair, and reduce oxidative stress. Deficiencies in key nutrients also create an environment that perpetuates inflammation and reduces a cell’s ability to repair damage.
Nutrition can play an important role in lupus management, both in the prevention of flare-ups and in the management of inflammatory conditions that are associated with lupus. Specific nutrients can be utilized to improve cell communication, improve cell repair, and reduce oxidative stress. Deficiencies in key nutrients also create an environment that perpetuates inflammation and reduces a cell’s ability to repair damage.
Possible Organ Damage Related to Lupus
Lupus can be associated with widespread organ damage that ranges from mild to very severe and life-threatening. The disease may initially affect one or several organ systems, with more becoming involved over time. In addition to the specific organ systems, lupus can cause generalized systemic symptoms including fever, weight loss, anemia, fatigue, and pain.
Diagnosis and Conventional Treatment of Lupus
Lupus can be associated with widespread organ damage that ranges from mild to very severe and life-threatening. The disease may initially affect one or several organ systems, with more becoming involved over time. In addition to the specific organ systems, lupus can cause generalized systemic symptoms including fever, weight loss, anemia, fatigue, and pain.
Diagnosis and Conventional Treatment of Lupus
The diagnosis and treatment of lupus often depends on how serious the disease is and which organ systems are involved. Besides suppressing the autoimmune response with medications, physicians will attempt to treat individual problems of an affected organ system as they arise.
Further stimulating and/or boosting the immune system response in SLE may actually worsen the disease. People who have lupus must be under the supervision and care of a highly qualified physician who specializes in lupus treatment.
The diagnosis of lupus relies on the presence of characteristic symptoms of the disease, in addition to blood testing to detect the presence of autoantibodies. For a diagnosis of lupus to be made, at least four of the following criteria must be present:
Further stimulating and/or boosting the immune system response in SLE may actually worsen the disease. People who have lupus must be under the supervision and care of a highly qualified physician who specializes in lupus treatment.
The diagnosis of lupus relies on the presence of characteristic symptoms of the disease, in addition to blood testing to detect the presence of autoantibodies. For a diagnosis of lupus to be made, at least four of the following criteria must be present:
- Butterfly rash. Also known as malar rash. This rash is red, can be flat or raised, and covers the nose and cheeks.
- Discoid rash. Associated with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). The rash looks like raised circular patches of scaly skin. Some scarring may occur.
- Sensitivity to sunlight. Exposure to UV light causes a rash.
- Oral ulcers. Ulcers present in the mouth and nose.
- Arthritis. Joint inflammation involving tenderness, swelling, or fluid accumulation. This type of arthritis is related to inflammation rather than a wearing down of the joints.
- Serositis. Inflammation of the membranes lining the lungs or heart, or fluid collection between these membranes.
- Kidney disorder. Protein in the urine or other abnormal findings.
- Neurological disorder. Seizures or mental symptoms such as depression or psychosis.
- Blood disorder. Anemia from breakdown of red blood cells, or a low white blood cell count.
Once the diagnosis of lupus is made using these clinical criteria, a number of additional tests may be used to monitor the disease course and various organ systems. These might include a blood test for phospholipid antibodies, which can help predict the risk of blood clotting, in addition to a complete blood count (CBC), platelet count, urinalysis, and test of creatinine or albumin levels. These various tests help physicians track the activity of the disease in organ systems that are known to be involved and to detect previously uninvolved systems.
Conventional management of lupus aims at controlling flare-ups (usually with anti-inflammatory medications) and suppressing symptoms to prevent organ damage. The main conventional drugs used to treat lupus include:
Conventional management of lupus aims at controlling flare-ups (usually with anti-inflammatory medications) and suppressing symptoms to prevent organ damage. The main conventional drugs used to treat lupus include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs, such as ibuprofen, are usually recommended for muscle and joint pain and for arthritis pain.
- Acetaminophen or aspirin. These are mild analgesics used to alleviate pain.
- Corticosteroids. Synthetically produced corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. These may be used topically for skin rashes or orally to treat other organ systems. In severe flare-ups, relatively large doses of corticosteroids may be prescribed for short periods.
- Antimalarials. These drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine sulfate, are prescribed for skin and joint symptoms of lupus. It may take months before the benefits of these drugs are evident.
- Immunomodulating drugs. These drugs, such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide, suppress the immune system.
- Biologic drugs. These drugs include agents that block the production of specific antibodies, such as those against DNA, or agents that act to suppress the manufacture of antibodies through other mechanisms.
The long-term use of corticosteroids is associated with significant risk and adverse effects. Specifically, adverse effects of glucocorticoid therapy include obesity, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia (an abnormality lipids and lipoproteins in the blood), and insulin resistance.
Category: Disorders, Health Conditions
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