3 Ways to Treat Lupus

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Lupus is a chronic disease that causes inflammation of the joints, kidneys, skin, heart, lungs, and blood cells. It is an autoimmune disease, meaning it is caused by the body's immune system attacking healthy cells, tissues and organs. Its exact cause is not yet well known, although it is believed to be due to a genetic fact. There is no cure for lupus yet, but there are several treatment options. When used effectively, these treatments generally allow a sufferer to live a life similar in duration and quality to that of a healthy person.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Medication Treatments

Step 1. Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories

Non-steroidal drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen sodium, acetaminophen, or aspirin can help reduce the pain and inflammation of mild symptoms. They can also relieve other symptoms of lupus, such as fever and arthritic pain. While they are a useful and inexpensive temporary remedy for disease flare-ups, they should not be used as a permanent "solution", as high-dose and / or long-term use of NSAIDs can damage the stomach and kidneys. Make sure to consult a doctor before starting even this relatively mild treatment, because some NSAIDs (in particular ibuprofen) have been linked to deadly infections such as meningitis in people with lupus.

Step 2. Take corticosteroid medications

Drugs such as prednisone and cortisone belong to a versatile family of medicines, called corticosteroids, which have a variety of effects and uses. These drugs are designed to mimic the body's natural hormone, cortisol, which has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. In the case of lupus, these steroids are usually prescribed to combat the painful inflammation that accompanies the lupus autoimmune response, as well as to reduce the activity of the immune system itself. Keep in mind though that this class of steroids is not the same class of steroids that athletes abuse.

• Often, corticosteroids are prescribed alongside other medications, as they have long-term side effects such as:

  

  • Weight gain
  • Predisposition to bruises
  • Susceptibility to infections
  • High pressure
  • Thinning of the bones
  • Diabetes

  

  Step 3. Take antimalarial drugs

  Some drugs prescribed mainly for malaria, such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, are also useful for relieving some symptoms of lupus, such as skin rashes, joint pain and mouth ulcers. Some of these can also reduce the sense of fatigue and general malaise. They are particularly useful because they can also reduce the need for other medications, such as corticosteroids, which can have more serious side effects and / or be addictive. Like corticosteroids, antimalarials also treat lupus primarily by reducing inflammation.

  • Antimalarials can have some relatively minor side effects, including:

    

    • Nausea
    • Dizziness
    • Bad digestion
    • Itchy skin rash
    • Stomach problems
  • In very rare cases, they can also cause damage to the retina of the eye.

  

  Step 4. Take immunosuppressive drugs

  Drugs such as cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, belimumab reduce the function of the body's immune system. Since the main culprit of lupus is an overactive immune system, these drugs can be very helpful in reducing symptoms, especially in severe cases, where other treatments are ineffective. However, since the immune system is also responsible for protecting the body from infections, you need to be careful when taking immunosuppressive drugs, as they reduce the natural ability to fight disease.

  • Other side effects of immunosuppressants are:

    • Liver damage
    • Decreased fertility
    • Increased risk of cancer

  • Belimumab, a relatively new immunosuppressive drug, does not have some of the side effects listed above, such as kidney damage and decreased fertility, so it is preferable for some lupus sufferers. However, this also has its own specific side effects, including:

    • Nausea / indigestion
    • Sleep disorders
    • Depression
    • Pain in the legs or arms

    

    Step 5. Take intravenous immunoglobulins (IG)

    Immunoglobulin is a term for the body's natural antibodies, which, under normal conditions, help fight disease and infection. In GI therapy, antibodies are isolated from another person's donated blood, and injected into the body intravenously (through a vein). GIs can increase a person's immune function without increasing the autoimmune response that causes lupus symptoms. This makes this treatment ideal for people who are prescribed immunosuppressants. GI is also prescribed for those who suffer from low platelet counts due to lupus. However, the management of this treatment is still time-consuming and expensive, so it is usually not prescribed except for very severe cases.

    

    Step 6. Take anticoagulants to prevent blood clotting

    Lupus sufferers are more likely than others to suffer from thrombosis. If a clot forms in a deep vein, in the heart or in the brain, it can be very dangerous, and can cause deep vein thrombosis, heart attack or stroke, respectively. About a third of all people with lupus have antibodies that attack a type of molecule found in the body called a phospholipid; this is the cause of the dangerous blood clots. Anticoagulants thin the blood, so they are sometimes prescribed for lupus patients who have this type of antibody.

    The more serious side effects of blood thinners are an increased susceptibility to bleeding and skin gangrene

    

    Step 7. Consider taking stronger pain relievers

    Sometimes, in severe cases, the pain can become so severe that it cannot be controlled by anti-inflammatories. In these cases, powerful painkillers are prescribed, usually opiates such as oxycodone. Opiates are addictive and create a significant risk of addiction. However, since lupus is incurable, opiate addiction is usually not a problem, as the sufferer can simply take opioids for the rest of their life.

    Method 2 of 3: Lifestyle Changes

    

    Step 1. Avoid excessive sun exposure

    Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is known to trigger lupus flare-ups. For this reason, it is very important for lupus sufferers to avoid situations that can cause sunburn. Try not to expose yourself to the sun on the hottest days. If you go outdoors, wear long sleeves and a hat. Also, get a high SPF sunscreen to protect your skin when you need to spend time in the sun.

    

    Step 2. Avoid certain types of medications

    Some common medications can aggravate lupus symptoms. However, if you have to take them, discuss with a doctor to find possible solutions or to integrate them with others that can minimize their negative effects. Here are some of them:

    • Sulfonamide antibiotics
    • Hydralazine
    • Procainamide
    • Minocycline
    • Supplements that contain alpha-alpha (alfalfa)

    Step 3. Take care of yourself

    While healthy lifestyle habits don't directly cure lupus, if you live as healthily as possible you can help relieve symptoms and try to fight lupus with all your body's energy. Lupus patients who have healthy lifestyles have a better chance of living a satisfying life with a minimum of symptoms. Listed below are some ways to ensure that you live as happily and healthily as possible while struggling with lupus:

    • Rest a lot. Fatigue is a common symptom of lupus, so good sleep is essential for optimal health. Get the right amount of sleep every night and take naps during the day if necessary.

      

    • Remember to exercise regularly. Exercise increases overall well-being, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease (which is a serious problem for lupus sufferers), and depression. Rest when you need it, don't let an exercise program worsen the fatigue caused by lupus.

      

    • Not smoking. Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is already a significant problem for lupus patients. Smoking damages the heart, lungs and blood vessels, making the effects of the disease worse.

      

    • Follow a nutritious diet. Eat lots of vegetables, lean proteins and healthy carbohydrates, and avoid fats. Avoid foods that seem to make symptoms worse. Although there is no evidence that some foods aggravate lupus, given that one of the symptoms is represented by gastrointestinal disorders, it may be necessary to adjust the diet to avoid those foods that worsen this symptom.

      

    

    Step 4. Create a support network

    An intangible and often forgotten effect of lupus is severe depression. Lupus patients often suffer from chronic pain, which can sometimes be very severe or even debilitating. Coupled with the fact that they also need to avoid sunlight, this can lead to becoming moody, isolated and depressed. In addition to a healthy lifestyle, it is important to be able to rely on friends, relatives and loved ones for support when learning to live with this disease. The emotional benefits of a supportive group of people with whom one can openly discuss the problems and fears of this disease should not be underestimated.

    Talk openly about your condition with loved ones. The symptoms of lupus are often not noticeable externally, even if they are very painful. Let your support network know when you feel good and when you feel bad, so that it can be there for you when you need it and instead give you space when you don't need it

    Method 3 of 3: Medical Treatments

    

    Step 1. Get a kidney transplant in case of kidney failure

    The autoimmune response associated with lupus can lead the immune system to attack and damage blood-filtering structures in the kidneys, called glomeruli. About 90% of lupus sufferers suffer from some form of kidney damage. However, only about 2-3% have kidney damage so severe that it requires a transplant.

    • In these cases, severe kidney damage can present with these symptoms:

      • Dark urine
      • Fluid retention
      • Back / hip pain
      • High pressure
      • Swelling around the eyes / hands

      

      Step 2. Undergo a splenectomy (removal of the spleen) to combat low platelet levels

      In some patients, lupus can cause a condition called thrombocytopenia, which is characterized by low levels of platelets (the blood cells responsible for the body's ability to repair itself). In this case, removing the spleen can help normalize platelet levels. Unlike other organs, the spleen is unable to regrow if it is removed, so even partial splenectomy must be carefully evaluated before deciding to intervene.

      

      Step 3. Get a hip replacement if avascular necrosis develops

      Sometimes, due to the disease or the medications used for treatment, the blood flow to the hip bones may decrease or even stop. This can lead to avascular necrosis, in which bone cells begin to die, and the bone weakens and decays. This condition, although rare, is very serious if left untreated because it can cause fractures, decreased hip function and pain. An artificial hip transplant may be necessary, which usually leads to an increase in function and a reduction in pain in the long term.

      Other possibilities for treating avascular necrosis involve the use of bone grafts to encourage bone growth and the removal of certain bone marrow cells to increase blood flow

      Advice

      • Don't smoke, as it makes lupus symptoms worse.
      • Avoid being in the sun as much as possible and wear sunscreen when outdoors.

      Warnings

      • Over-the-counter drugs have side effects such as stomach irritation or bleeding.
      • Corticosteroids can cause serious side effects, so your doctor will gradually decrease your dose once you start responding to treatment.
      • Prolonged consumption of corticosteroids can cause osteoporosis, an increased risk of infections and bone necrosis.
      • Immunosuppressive drugs should only be taken if closely monitored by a doctor, as they can have serious consequences.
      • Anticoagulants must be taken under medical supervision, because thinned blood can cause complications.