LUPUS Is A Family Affair" has been written to serve a twofold purpose. First it is for my family and second as a requirement of Internet Research.
My sister telephoned to say she had been diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. She wanted me to tell her everything I could about Lupus. Well, that didn't take long. I didn't know anything about Lupus. It was time to start searching the internet to find answers and calm my own fears. I sincerely hope this general information will benefit families and friends of those with Lupus.
My first fearful thoughts:
In layman's term, Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease. It is a disease in which the immune system attacks parts of the body causing inflammation and is incurable. However, there may be symptom-free periods called remissions. The immune system is designed to protect and defend the body from bacteria, viruses, etc. but for some reason (no one knows why) it loses the ability to identify the normal cells and takes action to eliminate them. Lupus is unpredictable. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a serious disease which is involved in numerous organ systems.
Is Lupus A Form of Cancer? I'm extremely happy to report NO. Lupus is not any form of cancer.
Is Lupus Contagious? NO, lupus is not contagious. Not even through sexual contact. Friends do not have to worry, stay away, or take any sort of precautions to prevent spread.
Is Lupus Hereditary? While there may be an inherited tendency to develop lupus, there is no scientific proof that it is inherited. Two or more persons within the same family have been diagnosed with lupus and genetics are still being researched.
Is Lupus like AIDS? NO. In AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) the immune system is underactive. In lupus the immune system is overactive, it produces large quantity of antibodies. The vast majority of people diagnosed with AIDS die from their disease, but the vast majority of those people diagnosed with lupus can expect to live a normal life span. AIDS is contagious, where lupus is not contagious.
Will Medication Cure Lupus? NO. Medication cannot cure lupus. Many types of NSAIDS non-narcotic relievers for mild to moderate pain, Steroids, and other medications are available and important in the management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Medication is used to reduce inflammation of the tissues and to suppress abnormalities of the immune system. Most commonly used is anti-inflammatory medicine such as aspirin, ibuprofens, Motrin, Advil, for fever, fatigue, arthritis and pleurisy. Cytotoxic chemotherapy is used to suppress the immune system. Cytoxan, Imuran, and these drugs are thought to increase the development of cancer, and are reserved for people with more serious lupus symptoms such as nephritis or neurologic disease. These medications help the kidneys and other major organs.
Is Lupus Fatal?
Lupus may be life threatening, as some people who have severe flare-ups do die.
Today with close treatment, 80-90% of the people with lupus can expect to live a normal life
life span
Many people are concerned that the arthritis associated with lupus will
cause crippling deformities. Lupus arthritis generally does not cause
deformities of the joints. Avascular necrosis of the bone (related to
steroids and lupus) may occur and require total hip or knee replacement surgery.
What Causes Lupus?
The
The cause of Lupus is not known at this time, but there is ongoing research. Scientists have
noted some common features in lupus patients. Incidence of lupus may be
triggered by a viral infection, prolong stress, viruses, ultraviolet lights,
genetic, certain medications (primarily in elderly people).
What are the Symptoms?
The first signs of lupus may appear like something else. They often include
flu-like symptoms of fatigue, swollen glands, aching muscle and joints,
weight lost, skin rash on the face or neck, also an increase in type or
severity of headaches. SLE can take many forms and does not affect everyone in
the same way. These symptoms may occur for several months before being
diagnosed as lupus. Check out this excellent table of
symptoms.
Most systemic lupus patients will develop lupus arthritis involving pain, swelling,
and stiffness of the joints. The joints farthest from the trunk of the body
(fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, ankles) are most frequently involved, several
at a time. Stiffness and pain in the morning usually improves as the day goes
on. A characteristic of lupus arthritis is that the pain will be on both sides
of the same joints (as both elbows or both knees). Therefore, a single painful
and swollen joint, such as the neck or back, is not caused by lupus.
Inflammation of the lining of the lungs (pleuritis) can cause sharp chest
pain, aggravated by coughing and deep breathing. Kidneys can be affected
without producing the symptoms of high blood pressure, protein and blood in
the urine, although swelling of the legs can occur. Inflammation of the brain
tissue may cause depression, difficulty in concentrating, and personality
changes.
Seizures
can but rarely do occur.
How is the body affected and what can the patient do?
It is essential to get sufficient rest when you suffer with fatigue. Take naps
during the day and get enough sleep at night. Pace yourself during the day so you don't get exhausted and can still accomplish the things you want during the day. Regular exercise is very important but do it in moderation and avoid exercising to the point of exhaustion.
What about vitamins and diet?
A multi-vitamin is reasonable but excess vitamins can be dangerous and should
be avoided. As for diet, keep watch for certain foods that seem to cause a
flare-up and avoid eating those foods. The American Heart Association's diet
or the American Cancer Society diet are both well researched diets that are
low in fat, low in sodium, high in fiber, and low in refined sugar.
Some
foods
have been proven therapeutic beyond providing basic nutrition. Chicken soup has
been found by scientist to relieve nasal and sinus congestion. Red meat dishes
contain lots of iron, which helps you maintain a healthful body temperature
if you're iron-deficient. Garlic has scientifically proven antibiotic
properties that helps prevent heart disease and cancer. Researchers have shown
chocolate contains substances that lift mood. Ginger, in ginger ale or
gingerbread, relieves an upset stomach. Tofu, a curd made from soybeans also
helps prevent heart disease and cancer.
How is Lupus Diagnosis?
A combination of tests is used to determine if you have systemic lupus.
The diagnosis of SLE is made from the clinical history, physical examination
and
laboratory test results. People with lupus are not responsible for developing the disease, but they are responsible for the way they react to it. Lupus is difficult to diagnose because it varys from person to person and changes in disease activity. At times, the disease may flare-up and at other times, there may be no evidence of lupus at all.
How common is depression in those with Lupus?
Clinical depression is more common in people with chronic medical illness
than other people, but not every patient with a chronic illness suffers from
clinical depression. Some of the most common symptoms of clinical
depression are spells of crying without provocation, inability to
concentrate, indecisiveness, anxiety, sadness and gloom, and lack of interest
in things formerly enjoyed.
The most common cause of depression is the emotional drain caused by the continuous
series of stresses and strains associated with
coping with the chronic illness and medical condition.
States of depression may be induced by the lupus itself, by the various
medications used in treatment and don't forget just the everyday factors and forces in a patient's life
that are unrelated to lupus. Depression is very stressful and may exacebrate the lupus, but fortunately most episodes of depressive illness are short-lived and subside on their own. Occasionally, people with lupus develop pulmonary hypertension or high blood pressure in the blood vessels within the lung.
In SLE, symptoms of depressive illness such as loss of energy and interest,
insomnia, pain intensification, diminished sexual interest can be attributed
to the lupus condition. Various medications used to treat lupus, such as
steroids (Prednisone), may induce depression. Lupus involvement of certain
organs such as the brain, heart or kidneys can also lead to depression.
Effective treatment is available for depressive illness and usually consists
of
psychotropic medications, psychotherapy and most often a combination of both.
Anti-depressant medications are the drugs most often used and recovery from
depression may be a gradual process.
How does Lupus affect the nervous system? The nervous system consists
of three parts. The central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), the
peripheral nervous system (nerve fibers for sensation and movement), and the autonomic nervous system
(helps to regulate spinal, peripheral nerves and innervates the internal
organs). It is still unclear how lupus affect the nervous system.
REFERENCES`
URL:http://www.lupus.org/lupus/topics/cardi.html, pulmonary hypertension
URL: http://www.lupus.org/lupus/topics/living.html, react
URL: http://www.lupus.org/lupus/topics/nervous.html, nervous system
URL: http://www.mtio.com/mclfa/lfamed1.htm, NSAIDS
URL: http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/9409/htm/steriods.htm, Steroids
URL: http://www.lupus.org/lupus/topics/medication.html, Medications
URL: http://www.lupus.org/lupus/topics/cytoxan.html, Cytoxan
Then came the more calm questions to be answered
Successful treatment of lupus depends on taking good general care of yourself. Lead healthy lifestyle; pace yourself, get adequate rest and appropriate exercise, don't smoke, limit alcohol consumption and eat a balanced diet.
© 1997 endersnj@yahoo.com
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