Understanding Lupus; Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

Lupus is an auto-immune disease that affects the immune system. The immune system is designed to fight illness, infection, and disease to protect the body and maintain good health. When the immune system is compromised with a condition such as lupus, it works differently; rather than protecting the body from unwanted problems, the immune system begins to attack the patient's bodily organs and tissues. It is a dangerous and often debilitating problem that many live with each day. Lupus is treatable, but there is no cure.

Lupus Is Difficult To Diagnose

One of the major problems with lupus is how difficult it is to diagnose. It is not easy for medical professionals to diagnose this health issue because it presents as many other health problems. Many of the signs and symptoms a patient experiences with lupus appear very similar to other health problems, so it often takes time to diagnose and is done most often by process of elimination. This auto-immune disease is rarely diagnosed during an initial appointment or even soon after a patient begins experiencing health problems.

What Causes Lupus?

There are various causes of lupus, though doctors have yet to pinpoint precisely what causes this debilitating auto-immune disease. It is typically believed lupus is caused by a combination of genetic issues as well as environmental factors. Some patients are born with the predisposition to develop this disease, and it is often triggered by sun exposure, infections, and medications prescribed to some people who suffer from high blood pressure, seizures, and even standard antibiotics. If a patient is suffering from lupus as a result of taking medication, they may find their body returns to normal once they stop taking the medication that causes their immune system to attack their healthy organs and tissues.

Are There Symptoms of Lupus?

Everyone who is diagnosed with lupus has their own unique set of symptoms, and this is why it is so difficult to diagnose. Some people have more severe symptoms that appear quickly, while others experience much less apparent side effects. The common problem with lupus symptoms is they stop as abruptly as they start, which leads patients to think they are healthy, as a result of their lack of symptoms. This is called a flare, and it happens to many patients. They feel normal for months before their symptoms flare-up again and attack the body in a devastating manner.

What Are The Symptoms Of Lupus?

Not everyone with lupus experiences the same symptoms, but some signs are more common than others. What happens to a patient depends heavily on which part of the body the auto-immune disease is attacking in the present moment. However, most patients will experience varying degrees of fatigue, fever, pain, and stiffness in their joints, and a rash that is similar to a butterfly across the bridge of their nose and cheeks. Other symptoms could include headaches, memory loss, and confusion. Some patients notice their fingers turn blue or white when they are stressed or cold. Chest pain and shortness of breath are also common symptoms of lupus.

How Is Lupus Diagnosed?

There is not a test that can immediately diagnose lupus. Sadly, it is a disease that takes time diagnose and is something many live with for years before it is finally exposed. The process most patients undergo include ordering blood count tests, assessing the liver and kidneys, taking urine samples, and performing antinuclear antibody tests. When a patient enters their doctor’s office with specific symptoms, it could hint at anything from cancer to fibromyalgia, which they will be tested for first. Generally, it is not until a doctor has no other plausible answer as to why a patient feels they way they do that lupus is diagnosed.

Treating Lupus

There is no one treatment available for lupus. The illness is treated on a case-by-case basis and is determined by the symptoms and pain a patient faces. Once medication can be prescribed, the intake is then monitored carefully and revised as need. A doctor might change their patient's medication if it is not working, if the side effects of the medication are unbearable for the patient, or as symptoms decrease. Since lupus attacks come and go, many patients live weeks or even months at a time with no signs, side effects, or even a hint of poor health. Medication can be stopped when there are no more symptoms or problems associated with the disease present in a person’s body.

Medications For Lupus

If an individual is experiencing symptoms of lupus, their doctor will prescribe any range of medicines from painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to immunosuppressants. Lupus often causes severe cases of inflammation in various parts of the body, causing intense pain for some patients. Another very serious consideration doctors make is prescribing antimalarial drugs. These are the drugs used to fight malaria, but they have been proven to help decrease lupus flares. They aid the patient in feeling well for a more extended period and ensuring lupus remains dormant.

Lifestyle Changes For Treating Lupus

By adapting to positive lifestyle changes, an individual strengthens their immune system and, in turn, aids in the treatment of lupus. When the immune system is stronger and more capable, and it can help the body fight lupus and the pain it causes. By exercising regularly and strengthening the body, patients are benefiting themselves and preventing illness from day one. Eating a balanced diet is another change fight the onset of lupus flares. Patients should first consult their doctor about their diet choices to ensure they do not need to abide by any specific dietary restrictions based on their individual case of lupus.

Avoid The Sun To Avoid Flares

There is widespread proof that lupus flares can occur after spending time in the sun. Medical professionals have found that ultraviolet light from the sun causes the body to have an adverse reaction, so it is advised that lupus patients avoid the sun whenever possible and protect their body when in the sun. This includes wearing a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and clothing that protects their skin from the light. Since it is not advisable to have to avoid the sun altogether, a doctor might also prescribe vitamin-D supplements to ensure their patient does not develop a deficiency.

Keep Regular Appointments With Your Doctor

For people living with lupus, not seeing the doctor regularly is a serious health concern. If an appointment must be canceled for one reason or another, it is imperative for these patients to contact their doctor right away to schedule another meeting as quickly as possible. A doctor professional is the only medical professional who can adequately monitor a patient’s progress and offer instruction on keeping flares to a minimum. It is not possible to cure lupus. However, it is possible to keep flares to a minimum under the strict guidance of a medical professional. This is only possible if the patient is dedicated to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and keeping their appointments. Rescheduling canceled appointments is an absolute must in every instance for patients with lupus.

Alternative Options For Lupus Patients

Other options are available for treating lupus, but they are not yet medically tested or proven so doctors cannot prescribe these methods of treatment to their lupus patients. There is some traction behind taking Omega-3 supplements, with some patients claiming they found relief in this method and are able to live a bit more comfortably. Acupuncture is another technique that is gaining recognition for relieving lupus symptoms. Although it should only be handled by a professional, there is no reason a patient cannot reap the benefits of acupuncture at any time. However, it is always helpful for lupus patients to first discuss these types of lifestyle changes with a medical professional.