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Lupus: Everything You Need to Know
Positive Options for Living with Lupus Self-Help and Treatment
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The latest information and research
Living With Lupus
Since lupus is a disease that there is no cure for up to this date, it's something that one have to find means for, to reduce the symptoms as much as possible, something that can be done effectively if you know the recourses to turn to. To psychologically learn to live with lupus takes some working with and it can take some time to come to terms with the fact that you have a chronic disease. But there is help to get. There's a lot of literature on the subject, both testimonial and facts.
Lupus is a disease that differs a lot from person to person; the level of it, as well as the symptoms. Your physician can help you to get the medication that will decrease your symptoms. This usually does a lot for your over all health. There are other methods that has been prove to work very good for lupus symptoms. Acupuncture and zone therapy can help for various symptoms. This is because lupus is an inflammatory state and those methods have been proven to be effective to cure lupus.
Lupus is a disease that differs a lot from person to person; the level of it, as well as the symptoms. Your physician can help you to get the medication that will decrease your symptoms. This usually does a lot for your over all health. There are other methods that has been prove to work very good for lupus symptoms. Acupuncture and zone therapy can help for various symptoms. This is because lupus is an inflammatory state and those methods have been proven to be effective to cure lupus.
Lupus Disease
Lupus arthritis causes pain, stiffness, swelling, tenderness, and warmth of joints, and several joints are involved at one time. Joints farthest from the trunk of the body are affected most commonly, such as:
Generalized stiffness that occurs upon awakening in the morning will gradually improve as the day goes on .
Later in the day, joint pain and fatigue may return.
Puffiness of the hands can occur.
Recurrent attacks of arthritis are experienced by one-third of those with lupus.
Compared to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus arthritis is less disabling and it usually does not cause severe destruction of the joints. Fewer than 10 percent of people with lupus arthritis will develop deformities of the hands and feet. These are associated with weakening of cartilage and bone and can be seen in the x-ray of the joints. Referred to as "Jaccoud-type deformities," these are reversible conditions.
Diagnosis
The pattern of joint pain and the distribution of the inflamed joints are the best clues in determining whether the joint pain is caused by SLE. X-rays of the painful joints are usually normal in SLE. Fluid removed from a painful joint will show a low-grade inflammation. When arthritis of several joints is the only symptom, establishing the diagnosis of SLE and differentiating it from other types of arthritis can be difficult. Careful observation and re-evaluation by the physician for other symptoms of SLE is essential in making the diagnosis.
Neither a positive lab test for antinuclear antibodies or for rheumatoid factor in the blood are proof of SLE or rheumatoid arthritis. Both occur in either disease as well as in people with other medical conditions.
However, a positive test for anti-DNA and/or anti-Sm is more specific for SLE and is helpful in the diagnosis.
Treatment
Proper and early treatment for most forms of arthritis, including SLE and rheumatoid arthritis, is available and can significantly slow down damage to the joints and lessen the pain and stiffness.
Lupus arthritis is treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications are effective for most people and usually are well-tolerated. They include:
Corticosteroids (prednisone) are used when the joints remain swollen and painful despite other treatment.
Immunosuppressive medications can be effective for inflammatory arthritis. However, in general, these agents are not used solely or primarily for lupus arthritis. These drugs include:
- fingers
- wrists
- elbows
- knees
- ankles
- toes
Generalized stiffness that occurs upon awakening in the morning will gradually improve as the day goes on .
Later in the day, joint pain and fatigue may return.
Puffiness of the hands can occur.
Recurrent attacks of arthritis are experienced by one-third of those with lupus.
Compared to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus arthritis is less disabling and it usually does not cause severe destruction of the joints. Fewer than 10 percent of people with lupus arthritis will develop deformities of the hands and feet. These are associated with weakening of cartilage and bone and can be seen in the x-ray of the joints. Referred to as "Jaccoud-type deformities," these are reversible conditions.
Diagnosis
The pattern of joint pain and the distribution of the inflamed joints are the best clues in determining whether the joint pain is caused by SLE. X-rays of the painful joints are usually normal in SLE. Fluid removed from a painful joint will show a low-grade inflammation. When arthritis of several joints is the only symptom, establishing the diagnosis of SLE and differentiating it from other types of arthritis can be difficult. Careful observation and re-evaluation by the physician for other symptoms of SLE is essential in making the diagnosis.
Neither a positive lab test for antinuclear antibodies or for rheumatoid factor in the blood are proof of SLE or rheumatoid arthritis. Both occur in either disease as well as in people with other medical conditions.
However, a positive test for anti-DNA and/or anti-Sm is more specific for SLE and is helpful in the diagnosis.
Treatment
Proper and early treatment for most forms of arthritis, including SLE and rheumatoid arthritis, is available and can significantly slow down damage to the joints and lessen the pain and stiffness.
Lupus arthritis is treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications are effective for most people and usually are well-tolerated. They include:
- aspirin
- salsalate (saliscylate
- naproxen
- ibuprofen
- indomethacin
Corticosteroids (prednisone) are used when the joints remain swollen and painful despite other treatment.
Immunosuppressive medications can be effective for inflammatory arthritis. However, in general, these agents are not used solely or primarily for lupus arthritis. These drugs include:
- cyclophosphamide
- azathioprine
- methotrexate.
- range of motion exercises
- strengthening exercises
- joint protection strategies