The Syncretic Character of Lupus Treatments

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

Can Vitamins Help With Lupus

Copyright 2006 PillFreeVitamins.com

Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system of the body produces antibodies which start attacking itself, producing inflammation of the skin, joints, blood vessels and other areas. Some of the first symptoms are similar to those common with arthritis, Lyme disease, and fibromyalgia such as swelling and pain of the joints, sometimes with a fever. Many cases also have a characteristic rash that appears across the nose and cheeks, which consists of pinkish to red coloration of the skin and raised red bumps.

The following vitamins and minerals have been shown to be beneficial in the management of Lupus and its many symptoms.

Vitamin A helps prevent eye disorders, skin disorders like acne, cancer, colds, influenza and other infections. It enhances immunity and acts as an antioxidant. Vitamin A is needed for skin and mucous membrane health, bone and teeth formation, and protein utilization. It helps slow the aging process.

The B vitamins promote healthy nerves, skin, eyes, hair, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and brain function. The B vitamins are also coenzymes involved in energy production. B complex is important for elderly people and a deficiency can mimic Alzheimer's disease.

Vitamin C performs hundreds of functions in the body. It is crucial for the production of antibodies, strengthens connective tissues, helps reduce the duration and severity of a cold, assists with wound healing, and protects other vitamins from oxidation.

Vitamin E, or tocopherol, is an anti-oxidant that prevents the fats and fat-soluble Vitamin A stored in the body from breaking down and combining with other substances that may be harmful to the body. It also protects red blood cells from rupturing.

Zinc is required for the production of both RNA and DNA, the basic building blocks of the body. It assists the body in making the 200+ enzymes and is essential in the development and continuous normal functioning of the central nervous system. Zinc also plays a role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Magnesium is essential for every major biological process. It is necessary for 300+ enzymatic reactions and is vital for calcium metabolism. Magnesium is not a trace mineral, but a major entity in our bodies.

Calcium performs numerous vital functions in the body. It combines with phosphorus to strengthen bones and is crucial for nerve conduction, muscle contraction and heartbeat. Calcium also helps prevent cramps brought on by exercise by avoiding lactic acid buildup.

Iodine is crucial for the health of the thyroid gland and is essential for the production of two key hormones that help regulate a host of body processes including resting metabolic rate, heart rate, heat production and energy levels.

Manganese is involved in protein, fat and energy metabolism. Its primary function, though, is as an antioxidant. Manganese is an essential part of biochemical reactions that affect bone, cartilage and brain function.

Copper is heavily involved in the production of hemoglobin. It is also involved in the production of collagen, the protein responsible for the integrity of bone, cartilage, skin and tendon, and elastin, a major component of large blood vessels.

Selenium is an essential trace mineral required by the body in small quantities. It is also a potent antioxidant. Selenium is necessary for proper calcium and vitamin C metabolism, helps convert blood sugar into energy, decreases platelet aggregation and helps promote cardiovascular health.

You should work closely with your physician in the management of Lupus, which includes discussing the vitamins and minerals listed above before beginning to take any of them. Some vitamins and minerals may have adverse reactions when taken in combination with certain over-the-counter and prescription medications.

Steven Godlewski is a self-made millionaire and is currently working with the staff at PillFreeVitamins.com He has an extensive background in nutrition as well as other health related fields. For more health-related articles see their website at: http://www.pillfreevitamins.com

Lupus And Arthritis: How They Go Hand In Hand

If you suffer from lupus, changes are good that you suffer from arthritis as part of the condition. This condition is one in which individuals often face pain in their body and, like arthritis, something with the body's immune system does not function the way that it should and the end result is that the body is attacked by its own white blood cells. In lupus, the body is attacked in many places including the tissues of various parts of your body. That is like arthritis, which is generally characterized by the immune system attacking the tissue in the joints of the body.

Do You Have Lupus? Symptoms To Be Aware Of

Lupus can affect anyone but it is more prone to be found in African, Native American or Asian heritage. Women are more likely to get it 9 out of 10 times and it especially happens to those that are from age 14 through 45. The symptoms of lupus can be very different from one person to the next, but they will likely include some of these. Joints that ache and are painful, swollen joints, fevers that rise to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or more without any other explanation, pain in the chest, a butterfly like rash on the cheeks and nose, loss of hair, or prolonged fatigue.

When you have lupus, you have an increased chance of having arthritis of one type of another. Most commonly, this will mean pain in the joints that leads to swelling there. Some individuals characterize their pain as being that of stiffness as when they wake up in the morning they may feel more pain and discomfort then when they are using their joint. In some patients that have arthritis with lupus, the arthritis pain can come and go. It may last a few days, weeks or longer then will not be noticeable until the next bout. One thing that is good to note is that the type of arthritis that you may be prone to getting with lupus is actually not as crippling as other forms of arthritis in general.

There are other complications that come from lupus, though, that can be worrisome. One of the tell tale signs of lupus includes skin conditions. Usually a rash will form on the skin across the nose and checks. In addition, sores may develop in the mouth as well as cause hair loss. There are different types of lupus which also determine the type and severity of the skin complications that can be found in lupus patients.

Other problems that lupus can cause include kidney problems, which can lead to life threatening conditions. Blood problems can also play a role in the condition that you face. If the amount of red blood cells in your body drops (or white blood cells) there is a problem that can lead to the inability of the blood to clot.

Working with your doctor, you can handle both lupus and arthritis and the complications that they bring to the table.

Greg Marsh is an acclaimed writer on medical matters, and has written extensively on the subjects of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatology and Rheumatism.

You can read more of Greg's articles about Rheumatoid Arthritis at http://www.whugu.com.

The Diversity of Lupus Symptoms

Lupus is a complex autoimmune disease that generates a wide variety of symptoms. The symptoms produced by lupus may range from mild to severe and generally occur in flares, unpredictably aggravating or ameliorating over time. Some of the common symptoms of lupus are: pronounced fatigue, pain and swelling of the joints, skin rashes and fever. At skin level, lupus often causes the occurrence of the ?butterfly rash?, which appears across the nose and cheeks. Although the butterfly rash is the most common rash characteristic to lupus, the disease can cause many other different types of rashes located in various regions of the body: face and ears, scalp, neck, arms, shoulders, hands, chest and back.

The autoimmune disease can also produce symptoms such as chest pain, increased sensitivity to sunlight, alopecia (hair loss), anemia or leucopenia (decrease in the number of red blood cells, respectively white blood cells), and paleness or cyanosis of the fingers and toes (due to poor oxygenation of the body extremities). Patients with lupus often suffer from headaches, vertigo (dizziness), decreased vision, poor concentration, psychological conditions (depression) and sometimes even seizures and faints. The progression of the disease is unpredictable and symptoms may come and go unexpectedly. Over time, patients with lupus may experience different sets of symptoms, occurring in flares and varying in intensity and duration.

When lupus affects the lymphatic system of the body, the most common symptoms of lupus are swelling and pain of the lymph nodes throughout the body. Most cases of lupus either affect the lymphatic system, the musculoskeletal system or the skin. When lupus affects the musculoskeletal system, the most common symptoms are muscular pain, fatigue, swelling and stiffness of the joints. When confined to the skin, lupus commonly generates rashes, inflammation and irritation of the skin.

Lupus often causes kidney affections such as nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys), interfering in the process of excretion and determining the accumulation of toxins inside the body. Lupus patients who also suffer from kidney impairments usually require strong medication treatments in order to prevent the occurrence of serious complications.

In many cases, lupus affects the circulatory system of the body, causing inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis), anemia or leucopenia (decrease in red and white blood cells). Lupus may also lead to the occurrence of thrombocytopenia, a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, condition that interferes in the process of blood coagulation, increasing the risk of bleeding.

When lupus affects the central nervous system, the most common symptoms are dizziness, headaches, temporary memory loss (amnesia), decreased vision, or neuropsychological problems (depression, unpredictable behavioral changes). Some of these previously mentioned symptoms aren?t solely caused by lupus; often they occur as a result of emotional stress and prolonged lupus medication. The majority of these symptoms can be reversed by interrupting the treatment or reducing the dose of medication.

At pulmonary level, patients with lupus may suffer from pleuritis (inflammation of the interior lining of the chest), condition that causes pronounced discomfort and pain, especially when taking deep breaths. Patients with lupus are also very susceptible of developing pneumonia. At coronary level, patients with lupus may suffer from coronary vasculitis (inflammation of the arteries that deliver blood to the heart), myocarditis and endocarditis (inflammation of the heart itself) and pericarditis (inflammation of the heart protective membrane). If discovered in time, the implications of lupus at coronary level can be efficiently reversed with medical treatment.

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

The Effects of Lupus at Ocular Level

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a very complex disease that can affect multiple regions of the body, causing a wide range of symptoms. Although the systemic form of lupus can affect virtually any organ system of the human body, the disease commonly involves impairments of the eye. In patients with lupus, the ocular globe itself (eyeball) is affected more often than the ocular orbit (eye socket). When the ocular orbit is also affected, lupus leads to serious inflammation of the conjunctive membrane, soft tissue that covers the eyeball and interior lid. The lids may also become swollen and this type of ocular disease often involves the occurrence of local edema.

Lupus commonly determines the occurrence of ?cotton wool spots? at the level of the retina. The spots are actually edematous regions of the retina, occurring as a result of inappropriate blood flow and thus, poor oxygenation of the eye. Despite the fact that the occurrence of ?cotton wool spots? on the retina is not a direct indicator of lupus in middle-aged and older patients, it clearly reveals the presence of the disease in young patients. Other eye affections characteristic to lupus involve accumulation and deposition of fat cells at the level of the retina, decrease in the arteriolar blood flow and even pronounced obstruction of the eye blood vessels, which often determines loss of visual acuity or temporary blindness.

Patients diagnosed with systemic lupus are often confronted with keratoconjunctivitis sicca as well (also known as the dry eye syndrome), eye disorder that predominantly inflicts persons with autoimmune diseases. This type of eye disorder generates symptoms such as pronounced discomfort, inflammation, itching and burning at ocular level, and often leads to impairments of the lacrimal glands, resulting in decreased tears. On the premises of eye dryness and inappropriate blood circulation, the eye rapidly becomes inflamed and irritated, also increasing the risks of infections.

When keratoconjunctivitis sicca is accompanied by arthritis and symptoms such as dryness of the mucosal linings in the mouth and nose, the disease is referred to as Siogren?s Syndrome. When systemic lupus determines impairments at brain level, the disease causes deterioration of the optic nerve, nystagus (uncontrolled movements of the eye) and even complete blindness. In order to prevent the development of such complications and to reverse the effects of lupus at ocular level, it is imperative to administer the appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

Commonly used medications in treating the ocular complications produced by systemic lupus are salicylates (aspirin-based medications), antimalarials (commonly used medications include chloroquine-aralen, plaquenil and resochin), antibiotics and steroids. Steroid medications are extensively used in treating eye disorders characteristic to lupus, cortisone drugs being considered an efficient form of treatment at present. However, steroids can produce serious side-effects in patients with lupus, and thus such forms of treatment are not recommendable for long-term use.

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

Various Treatments Administered to Patients with Lupus

Due to the complexity of lupus, the treatment for the disease can take various forms, consisting of an extensive range of medications and therapies aimed at easing the lupus symptoms and preventing the occurrence of further complications. Due to the fact that the immune system has a major contribution to the occurrence and the progression of lupus, (harming the body?s own healthy cells and tissues instead of fighting against antigens) the disease can affect any part of the body, determining impairments of multiple body systems.

The treatment of lupus greatly differs from a patient to another, lupus sufferers receiving a certain type of medications according to their experienced symptoms and the seriousness of the disease. Thus, the treatment of lupus is often personalized, comprising many different types of medications and therapies. Lupus patients (especially patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus) are commonly administered combination treatments, targeted at countering the occurrence and aggravation of the multitude of symptoms characteristic to this type of autoimmune disease.

Although at present there is no specific cure for lupus, the existing treatments can greatly ameliorate the symptoms of the disease and minimize the risk of complications. Lupus often has an unpredictable pattern of progression, producing symptoms that come and go over time. Thus, most lupus treatments are aimed at prolonging the periods of remission and ameliorating the phases of relapse. Once a patient is diagnosed with lupus, he/she will receive a treatment according to age, gender, overall health condition, symptomatic intensity, as well as lifestyle. With the right medication plan, patients can keep the disease under control and even live normal and healthy lives. Today?s treatments are efficient in easing the symptoms of lupus and they also allow patients to carry on with their usual daily activities. Most patients with lupus don?t require prolonged hospitalization and bed confinement is rarely needed.

The treatment of lupus is individualized, aiming to meet the needs and symptoms of the patient. For instance, for patients who suffer from musculoskeletal conditions due to lupus, doctors commonly prescribe treatments with medications that reduce inflammation and pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are extensively administered to patients confronted with symptoms such as joint swelling, stiffness and pain, muscular weakness and fever.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can either be administered alone or in combination with similar medications. Due to the fact that such medications can produce serious side-effects, it is recommendable to avoid long-term use. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be administered only during the periods of relapse, when the symptoms of lupus suddenly increase in intensity. Popular NSAIDs are: ibuprofen, naproxen, sulindac, diclofenac, ketoprofen, diflunisal, nabumetone, indometacin and oxaprozin. In order to minimize their side-effects, you should respect your doctor?s exact instructions when using such medications.

Another type of commonly used medications are antimalarials. Originally prescribed in the treatment of malaria, these medications are also efficient in the treatment of lupus, as they tend to suppress a series of processes at the level of the immune system, neutralizing some of its undesirable effects on the organism. Antimalarials used in the treatment of lupus include: hydrochloroquine (Plaquenil), quinacrine (Atabrine) and chloroquine (Aralen). These commonly used lupus medications are prescribed to ease fatigue, joint inflammation and pain, skin rashes and inflammation of the lungs and heart. Unlike NSAIDs, antimalarials have less serious side-effects, rendering them appropriate for long-term treatments. Ongoing treatment with antimalarials can efficiently prevent the occurrence of flares.

Corticoid steroids are often prescribed in the treatment of lupus. Corticosteroided hormones such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone and dexamethasone are usually prescribed in small doses to reduce inflammation. Due to the fact that these medications can produce serious side-effects, they are only prescribed in short-term treatments. For patients confronted with severe forms of lupus, doctors usually prescribe immunosuppressive drugs such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. The main action of immunosuppressive medications is to minimize the damage caused by the impaired, overactive immune system at cellular level. Although immunosuppressive drugs are very efficient in easing the symptoms of lupus, they are known to cause dependency and thus they shouldn?t be prescribed in long-term treatments.

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

Difficulties in Diagnosing Lupus

Due to its polyvalent character and its intrinsic nature (lupus is triggered and augmented by severe immune system impairments), lupus is very difficult to diagnose accurately and promptly. In some cases, the complexity of lupus renders doctors unable to reveal its presence in time, the unspecific symptoms produced by the autoimmune disease often being misleading in the process of establishing the correct diagnosis. It may take months or even years to confirm the diagnosis received by patients with suspected lupus. The process of diagnosing lupus can be challenging even for the most experienced doctors. Patients can also influence the duration of the process of diagnosis, as doctors often rely on symptomatic reports apart from common laboratory analyses and physical examinations. The challenging process of diagnosing lupus can only be accelerated and facilitated by good doctor-patient cooperation.

Although at present there aren't any specific tests that can reveal the presence of lupus, the existing laboratory tests can still help doctors decide upon the correct diagnosis. The most commonly used method of diagnosing patients with suspected lupus consists in looking for the presence of auto-antibodies in blood samples. The antinuclear antibody test (ANA test) is nowadays extensively used to detect the presence of auto-antibodies in patients with suspected lupus. However, the main problem with the ANA test is that it isn't 100 percent accurate. For instance, a positive result for the ANA test may be influenced by factors such as past infections, chronic diseases or prolonged treatments with certain medications and not by the actual presence of lupus. In order to confirm the presumptive diagnosis, doctors have to rely on various other tests, such as anti-DNA, anti-RPN, anti-Ro, anti-La, or anti-Sm antibody tests.

When these previously mentioned blood tests along with clinical examinations and the patient's symptomatic report are inconclusive for establishing the correct diagnosis, doctors may decide to perform biopsies of the skin or kidneys in order to reveal clear evidence of lupus. Additional tests often include the test for syphilis, as lupus sufferers commonly have a series of antibodies that generally occur in patients with syphilis. Thus, a falsely positive result for the syphilis test is also considered to be an indicator for lupus. Doctors have to rely on a wide range of tests in order to analyze the disease from different angles and find the accurate diagnosis. Without multiple medical investigations and elaborate research, lupus is virtually impossible to diagnose properly.

Once lupus has been appropriately diagnosed, doctors still depend on a series of tests in order to identify the actual type of lupus and its rate of progression. In order to gather the required medical information, doctors may choose to perform the following tests: complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry tests, erythrocyte sedimentation tests and urinalysis. After the results of these tests are properly interpreted, doctors can finally choose the appropriate course of medications. Due to the fact that the process of diagnosing lupus is time consuming, patients may have developed serious complications by the time they receive the appropriate medical treatment. Despite their limited relevancy, the existing procedures of diagnosis are the only means of revealing signs of lupus in patients. Medical scientists are hoping to find more efficient methods of diagnosing lupus in the near future, methods that can simplify the process of diagnosis and allow prompt medical intervention.

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