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Lupus
Treatment
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune
disease that can affect many parts of your body,
including your skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells,
heart and lungs. Episodes of lupus tend to come and
go throughout your life, and they may make you feel
tired and achy.
Lupus occurs in several types, including
systemic
lupus erythematosus (SLE), discoid and drug-induced. SLE is the most common type and causes the most
difficulties. It can lead to problems such as fever,
swollen joints, anemia and
kidney failure. Lupus is
most commonly diagnosed when people are between 15
and 45 years old.
The diagnosis and treatment of lupus has improved
tremendously in the past few decades. If you take
care of yourself and get proper medical treatment,
you usually can still lead an active, healthy life.
Treatment
Treatments can ease symptoms and reduce complications of lupus.
Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) depends on which organs
are affected and how severely. Because lupus may assume many forms,
finding the most effective treatment may take time.
Your doctor may recommend a variety of medications, including the
following:
-
Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs.
Aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such
as naproxen sodium (Aleve) may reduce joint and other tissue
inflammation. However, check with your doctor before taking NSAIDs
regularly because some have been associated with serious side
effects in people with lupus.
-
Anti-malarial
drugs.
Although there's no known relationship between lupus and malaria,
these medications may be useful for treating skin and joint problems
and inflammation of the surface of organs like your heart and lungs.
These drugs may also prevent flares of the disease.
-
Corticosteroids.
These drugs
counter the inflammation of lupus, but can have serious side
effects. The dosage depends on which organs are involved and how
severely. Side effects of steroid use include weight gain, puffiness
in your face, easy bruising, thinning of bones (osteoporosis), high
blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of infection. Your
doctor may want you to take calcium and vitamin D supplements while
you're taking corticosteroids to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
-
Immunosuppressive medications.
These drugs, such as azathioprine (Imuran) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan),
reduce your normal immune response. Your doctor may prescribe them
if lupus is widely affecting your organs, especially your kidneys.
Other medications that may be used to treat lupus include
methotrexate (Rheumatrex), chlorambucil (Leukeran), cyclosporine (Neoral,
Sandimmune) and mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept). Immunosuppressive
medications may cause anemia and a low white blood cell count. They
may also increase risk of infection and cancer. Your doctor may
prescribe them if corticosteroids aren't effective, or he or she may
prescribe them in conjunction with corticosteroids so that you can
take a lower dose of corticosteroids and reduce the side effects.
Researchers are working on developing newer treatments that don't
have as many side effects.
high blood pressure
Kidney
failure
Sometimes, even with the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive
drugs, your kidneys may fail. You may need kidney dialysis or, if kidney
failure is permanent, a kidney transplant.
Research is being done to come up with more effective treatments. Some
studies with promising results have focused on blocking the expression
of genes that may cause some of the symptoms of lupus. However, any
treatments that might come from such research are probably many years
away from development.
Lupus >
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Disclaimer
This information is
provided for general medical education purposes only and
is not meant to substitute for the independent medical
judgment of a physician relative to diagnostic and
treatment options of a specific patient's medical
condition.
In no event will The DrEddyClinic.com be liable for any
decision made or action taken in reliance upon the
information provided through this web site.
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Thailand
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