What’s Up With Lupus?
What Is Lupus?
Lupus is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system — the body system that usually fights infections — attacks healthy tissue instead.
What Are The Types Of Lupus?
When people talk about lupus, they’re usually talking about systemic lupus, or SLE. This is the most common form, 90% of which are women. But doctors have identified other types.
Here are the four kinds of lupus:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Cutaneous lupus - limited to the skin
Drug-induced lupus - caused by certain prescription drugs
Neonatal lupus - a rare condition that affects infants
How Do You Know It’s Lupus?
Similar to other auto-immune diseases, diagnosing lupus can be challenging. There’s no single test that will confirm or deny that you have lupus. Your doctor will examine your symptoms, medical history, family history, and blood tests. It can often take an extended time period of months or even years to get a final diagnosis. People who have a family member with an autoimmune disease may be more likely to develop lupus.
Some of the factors about your daily life will be considered, such as your symptoms, when you have them and for how long. Information such as if your symptoms are affected by anything you can relate it to, even something like the time of day or certain activities, can help.
Common skin problems include sensitivity to the sun with flaky, red spots or a scaly, purple rash on various parts of the body, including the face, neck, and arms.
And a tell-tale sign you have lupus is the famous face rash.
What’s a Lupus Rash?
This is a butterfly-shaped rash across your cheeks and the bridge of your nose that other auto-immune diseases don’t typically have.
Is There a Cure for Lupus?
While there’s no 100% cure for lupus right now, having the right treatment plan can help. This involves reducing symptoms by getting plenty of sleep, eating healthy foods, low-impact movements and exercise, and keeping your immune system strong.
There are many different kinds of medicines that can treat symptoms of lupus. Some are available over the counter while others are prescription-only, but always ask your doctor before using. Any medicine can have serious side effects.
Anti-inflammatories
Antimalarials to protect skin from rashes and UV light
Immunosuppressives that may help keep your immune system from attacking your body
Steroids to help with inflammation
Can I Treat Lupus Naturally?
Most auto-immune conditions will experience a reduction in symptoms or can even disappear when certain lifestyle factors are addressed. Science and medicine studies have proven that systemic inflammation is the root cause of most auto-immune diseases, so reducing your inflammation will help how you feel better. I have had the privilege of working with patients with Lupus and have seen significant changes in their symptoms with the right treatment plan. Please believe that ‘healing is possible’ and by reducing inflammation significant results can be achieved. Never give up on yourself.
Visit here to learn more about ways to Tame the Flame.
