Lupus Disease Signs And Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

What is lupus disease?

Lupus is a form of rheumatism in the connective tissue. Connective tissue is in the skin and in different organs. The connective tissue can ignite. The medical Word for lupus is lupus erythematosus (LE).
There are two main forms:

1. Cutaneous lupus. You have especially inflammation in the skin.
2. Systemic lupus. You have joint pain and inflammation, muscle pain and fever. Systemic lupus is similar to rheumatoid arthritis.

Lupus is a chronic disease. The disease is not over. Lupus is usually changing: sometimes you have a lot of complaints, and sometimes you have few complaints.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease. Your immune system turns against your own body. This is due to a combination of factors such as hormones, sunlight and virus infections.
Sometimes lupus-like symptoms after an allergic reaction to medication. The complaints disappear if you the drug no longer occupies.

Lupus is not hereditary. Well you can instance for this disease. In certain families comes lupus more common.

Most people with lupus get medications.

Lupus occurs in 1 in 1000 people, especially in women between 20 and 40 years.

What are the signs and symptoms of lupus disease?

The main symptoms of lupus disease are:

1. Joint pain and inflammation.
2. Muscle pain.
3. Fatigue.
4. Fever.
5. Skin rash. In systemic lupus you probably only what his blushing on the cheeks. At cutaneous lupus is the rash much more severe. The rash may even leave scars. Some people with lupus get a red rash in the face in the form of a butterfly.

At cutaneous lupus can make your hair fall out. Almost no one is really bald.
People with lupus often suffer from Raynaud's. Hereby discolor your fingers or toes at cold and/or stress. They are first white, then blue and red.

Other possible symptoms are:

1. Pleurisy (Pleurisy).
2. Inflammation of the pericardium (pericarditis).
3. Filter kidney inflammation.
4. Migraine.
5. Epilepsy.
6. Depression.
7. Sun allergy.
8. Anemia.
9. Canker sores in the mouth.

Sometimes people with other rheumatic diseases, such as Scleroderma or lupus myositis.

How is lupus disease diagnosed?

For diagnosing lupus doctor asks first for your complaints and how they started. Then the doctor will examine you. They pay special attention to skin lesions in your face, arms and fingers.
Also, they note:

1. Sun allergy.
2. Canker sores.
3. Pain and swelling in your joints.

The doctor listens to your heart and lungs. She feels that your liver and spleen are larger than normal.

Then let the doctor do a blood test. The lab technician looks sure you have enough red and white blood cells and platelets. She also looks at antinuclear antibodies (ANA): these are antibodies that attack the cell nuclei.

To examine the kidneys, you will receive a urinalysis and sometimes a kidney biopsy. The doctor may also examine other organs with a biopsy.

To determine abnormalities in your chest are X-rays, ultrasounds and ECGs possible.

What is the treatment for lupus disease?

Systemic lupus disease can get medications:

1. NSAIDs.
2. DMARDs (rheumatism) inhibitors. DMARDs inhibit chronic inflammation. They reduce the activity of the disease. Therefore no further damage the joints. Sometimes it takes weeks or months before you notice the effect of these agents. The best known are DMARDs methotrexate and sulfasalazine.

What medications you receive depends on your symptoms. All medicines have benefits and drawbacks. The effect of the resources differs from person to person. Discuss with your doctor which medication is right for you.

Sunlight can trigger lupus. If you are hypersensitive to sunlight? Then as little as possible in the sun. Always use a sunblock with an SPF of at least 20 and wear a wide brimmed hat. Itching helps a fatty cream.

Cutaneous lupus can have severe skin lesions. The doctor will then give you a corticosteroid ointment. Sometimes it is necessary to take anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., prednisone or Imuran).

Pregnancy and lupus disease

With lupus, you can get just children. Pregnancy usually proceeds without problems. There is only a small chance that the child will also get lupus disease.

However, there is a greater risk of miscarriage and pre-eclampsia if you have antiphospholipid syndrome. To avoid problems in the pregnancy you may get blood thinners.

Usually the disease during pregnancy is not getting worse. In the postpartum period and the months thereafter, there is a small chance that this does happen. It is not clear why.

Tell time with your doctor if you are pregnant or want children. Doctor holds then note the treatment. Some rheumatic drugs affect namely fertility or may be harmful to the unborn child. There are also medications you may be taking.