Lupus
The Tissues
Description
Systematic lupus erythematosus is a general autoimmune disease in which one’s antibodies attack a number of different tissues.
Causes
Unknown, but believed to be linked to genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors.
Cure, Prevention, Management
Cure:
- There is no cure.
Prevention:
- There are no proven methods of prevention.
Management:
Medication
Belimumab
Common Side Effects: Nausea, Diarrhea, Fever, Stuffy or runny nose, Cough (bronchitis), Trouble sleeping, Leg or arm pain, Depression, Headache (migraine), Sore throat, Urinary tract infection, Decreased white blood cell count (leukopenia), Vomiting, Stomach pain
- Immunosuppressive Drugs (e.g., hydroxychloroquine and corticosteroids [prednisone]
Common Side Effects: Fever or chills, Pain in the lower back, on the sides, Pain or difficulty urinating, Unusual bruising or bleeding, Blood in your urine, Stools that are bloody or black
- Other Ways
- Increase intake of Fish Oil
- Avoid polyunsaturated vegetable oils
- Eat a low-protein plant based diet
- Avoid alfalfa sprouts
Include flaxseeds in diet
Massages
Yoga
Where would a person be affected?
- The Joints
- The Skin (Rashes)
- The Brain
- Lungs
- Kidneys
- Blood Vessels
Who is most likely to be affected by SLE?
Young women are more susceptible than men (4-12 women for every man). It occurs in blacks more than whites. Those with a family history of SLE are also more vulnerable to it.