Denician Angeleia

Archive for the ‘Lupus’ Category

Unfamiliar to many, yet affecting many, lupus is hardly a rare disease. But with breaking news that pop star Lady Gaga tested ‘borderline positive’ for lupus, it is hopeful that public awareness will increase.

Lupus is not so rare that you only read about it in textbooks, but it was not until my clinical pharmacy days at Stanford that I fully grasped what lupus was. Lupus sufferers must endure some of the toughest health challenges, from chronic pain to debilitating kidney disease. However, depending on the severity of the disease, lupus can be controlled with proper treatment, and does not have to shave years off a person’s life.

Unfortunately, lupus has no cure, so it is a life-long battle full of ups and downs. When lupus takes hold, the immune system begins to malfunction. Think of it like ‘friend becomes foe’ where the immune system turns its back on the body, instead of defending it. The immune system of a lupus sufferer cannot tell the difference between the peaceful dwellers (the body’s organs) and the foreign invaders (disease-causing viruses and bacteria). This creates a situation where the innately protective immune mechanism goes haywire and begins attacking healthy tissues in the body, such as the skin, joints, blood vessels and kidneys.

Lupus patients face a lot of uncertainty because they suffer unpredictable bouts of the disease – a flare – followed by periods of remission. What is even more frustrating about lupus is that it does not get diagnosed overnight. This is not just because patients must wait for test results, but also because of the nature of the disease. It may take months, or even years, before enough symptoms show up for the doctor to pinpoint the diagnosis. I like to describe lupus symptoms in three words – vague, variable and vast. Symptoms of lupus usually evolve slowly, come and go, and mimic many other diseases. Furthermore, lupus has such a mind of its own that initial blood tests may be positive then turn negative, and vice-versa. Another troubling side of lupus is that it is widespread, and has the potential to affect almost every single organ in the body.

It could not be stressed enough that the key to living with lupus is getting the right care. A few years ago, I was consulting a young woman on her lupus medications. During the consultation, I discovered that she had just got over her tenth miscarriage. She revealed to me that she had stopped taking her medications, because she felt that she didn’t need them anymore. With proper education and careful monitoring by her doctors, her lupus fell into remission, and before she knew it, a healthy baby was born. The take home message is: Control lupus before it controls you. Uncontrolled lupus increases the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as stillbirth, miscarriages and premature delivery. Lupus can also lead to non-pregnancy complications, such as kidney, heart and lung problems. While it is true that lupus medications can create bothersome symptoms, they are life-savers, so do not stop or change any treatment without your physician’s approval. Lupus sufferers should remember that minimizing flare-ups and preventing organ damage are essential factors in keeping lupus in check, so make sure to stick to your doctor appointments, take all the prescribed medications, avoid smoking, minimize sun or UV radiation, stay active, and have a good attitude.

Given its complexity, the outlook of lupus is promising. The majority of people with lupus today can live a normal lifespan, but 20 years ago or so, the outlook was bleak. Thanks to better diagnostic tools, increased awareness and effective medicines, quality of life for lupus patients has dramatically improved. For more information on lupus, visit the Emirates Arthritis Foundation website. arthritis.ae

There are only several doctors (rheumatologists) in Jordan who specialize in treating lupus, so I was privileged to sit down with Dr Jamal Steitieh at his clinic in Amman. Hopefully, his answers to these commonly-asked questions will give every woman additional insight into this complicated disease.

U: What do you tell worried patients who first get diagnosed with lupus?
Dr S: I tell them that not every patient with lupus is the same – some patients with lupus die in 6 months, but most patients life a long life with proper care and medications, of course. If the person has joint pain, fever and skin rashes without affecting major organs, such as the brain, heart, kidneys and blood vessels, then the lupus is mild.

U: What resources can patients turn to if they think they have lupus?
Dr S: If patients reach rheumatologists, they are in safe hands. The master of management of lupus, in general, is the rheumatologist.

U: What advice can you give to lupus sufferers to increase their chance of living a normal lifespan?
Dr S: They should comply with clinic visits and mediations, and get social support. From my perspective, a married lady who doesn’t receive social support from her husband may get frustrated, not take her medications and not see her doctor regularly. A socially stable woman will most likely have her lupus under control, and her life expectancy and quality of life will be better.

U: What do you tell patients who don’t want to take their medications because they are worried about side effects?
Dr S: The benefits of medications, while monitoring for side effects by getting regular blood tests, is much more important in controlling lupus than having a very remote possibility of getting cancer in ten years. I explain to my patients that drug manufacturers must list everything (side effects) for medical legal reasons, to protect from lawsuits.

U: What precautionary measures should patients take if they are diagnosed with lupus?
Dr S: Ladies who are married at child-bearing age should get contraception, because pregnancy should only happen when lupus is under control. Pregnancies should be planned. I also recommend patients to avoid exposure to sunlight and wear sun block, especially if they have photosensitive symptoms of lupus, such as skin rashes.

U: Is lupus genetic?
Dr S: I tell patients that lupus is not a hereditary disease, but it may run in families.

U: What is the youngest age you have diagnosed lupus?
Dr S: I diagnosed a six-year-old boy, here in Jordan with lupus. And while I was in Saudi Arabia ten years ago, there was an eight-year-old girl who had lupus, along with lupus-induced kidney disease.

U: What is the relationship between stress and lupus?
Dr S: From my observations, the relationship between stress and lupus is not that much; stress may amplify symptoms of aches and fatigue in lupus, but doesn’t trigger flare-ups. However, infection can precipitate lupus.

Fast Facts
• Lupus is not cancer.
• Lupus is not contagious.
• At least 5 million people are affected worldwide.
• Cause of lupus includes environmental factors and family history.
• Ninety percent of cases are women of child bearing age (15 to 45 years old), but it can strike anyone, of any gender or age.
• Without proper care and treatment, lupus can be fatal.
• Typical symptoms include: extreme fatigue, fever and headaches; painful or swollen joints; skin problems, including typical butterfly-shaped rash across cheeks and nose; sun-or light-sensitivity; mouth or nose ulcers; pain in chest on deep breathing; swelling in the extremities and around the eyes; hair loss and anemia.

Early menopause occurs most often in women who are 30 to 40 years of age. It may occur in women younger than that with underlying causes. It very important that if you are suffering the signs of early menopause that you consult a doctor to rule out anything else that may be happening or a consequence of other health conditions. This is especially important if you have lupus and are experiencing signs of early menopause.

Lupus Symptoms

There are a few types of lupus including Discoid Lupus and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Discoid Lupus most often affects the skin. It will present as a red rash that could have raised edges. It commonly occurs on the face and scalp. The rash is not itchy but scarring on the scalp can cause irreversible hair loss. Up to approximately 10% of those who have Discoid Lupus will develop Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

The most common complaints of those who suffer with systemic lupus erythematosus include fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle pain, arthritis and mouth/ nose ulcerations.

A facial rash (butterfly rash), photosensitivity and inflammation of the lining that surrounds the heart-pleuritis and the heart-pericarditis are also symptoms of lupus. Problems with circulation to the fingers and toes when it is really cold are also called Raynaud’s phenomenon. Inflammation of the brain, liver, and kidneys also occur in SLE. There may be a decrease in white blood cells and clotting factors. This increases the risk of infections and bleeding.

More than 50% of those with SLE will develop the flat red butterfly rash. Most SLE sufferers will develop a type of arthritis that is very similar to rheumatoid arthritis. The small joints of the hands, the wrists, and feet may swell, become painful, stiff and sometimes deformed. Inflammation of the blood vessels especially those that supply oxygen to tissues can cause nerve injury, injury to the skin, or injury to an internal organ.

These are some of the major and most common symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus. Within each symptom is a set of sub-symptoms that result from the main symptoms. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can be very treatable. It may also cause death depending on which body organs are affected.

The diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus is determined if a patient has four or more of eleven criteria. They are: malar-butterfly rash, discoid rash with patchy redness, photosensitivity (sensitivity to light), mucus membrane ulcers, arthritis, pleuritis and pericaridits-inflammations of the linings of the heart lungs along with pain when breathing, kidney abnormalities including an abnormal quantity of urine protein or clusters of cellular elements (casts), brain irritation, blood count abnormalities, immunological disorders-abnormal results of such tests as Anti-DNA, or anti-Sm, testing positive for antinuclear antibody.

Other tests could include a Sedimentation Rate, blood chemistry and evaluation of body fluids, as well as tissue biopsies. SLE can also cause one to enter early menopause

Treatments of systemic lupus erythematosus include get more rest during the active phases of the disease. Inadequate sleep is key in the progression of fatigue in SLE patients. A doctor must focus on poor sleep and the effects of depression, insufficient exercise and patient’s personal care coping abilities on their over-all health. Drugs that are used to relieve symptoms of SLE include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that help muscle, joint and other body tissue pain.

Corticosteroids are stronger in lessening inflammation and restoring the ability to function when SLE is active and they are helpful when internal organs are involved. They can be delivered in a number of forms but they have some serious side effects in long-term use at high doses. Thinning skin and bones, weight gain, infections, diabetes, facial puffiness, cataracts and even death (necrosis) of large joints are also possible. There is a wide variety of types of drugs used to treat mild to severe cases of SLE.

Symptoms of Early Menopause

Lupus and early menopause have some common symptoms. Sleep problems, heart palpitations, headaches and hot flashes that can occur in lupus and the patient not are menopausal. Irregular periods and bleeding are classic signs of beginning menopause. If you are a woman with lupus menstruation can continue but as has been mentioned become irregular and cease altogether catapulting you into early menopause. Other symptoms of it include appetite changes, weight gain, body aches, and mood swings all of which can also occur in lupus.

Early menopause in lupus can occur as a result of the disease itself. It can also be a result of the medications used to treat lupus. It can also be a result of heredity as opposed the disease or treatments of the disease.

Treatment of these symptoms can be HRT- hormone replacement therapy, anti-depressants, and anti-inflammatories. These treatments can have some very serious side effects such as increased risk for heart attack and some cancers. Most women seek to avoid these side effects and turn to natural treatments such as herbal supplementation.

Herbal supplements may also include vitamins such as B-complex and C vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and zinc. In order to get the highest quality supplement there should be no fillers or preservatives. The ingredients will have had the molecular path tested at the molecular level and their interactions evaluated as well. Only standardized herbal extracts are used and they are made to meet pharmaceutical grade standards. This all helps to guarantee top quality and consistent dosing from capsule to capsule.

Conclusion

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can attack the skin discoid lupus erythematosus and systemic lupus erythematosus that affects the joints and internal organs. It is a connective tissue disease. Either the disease itself or the medications that are used to treat lupus can put a woman into early menopause. A doctor’s examination will help to determine the best course of treatment including the possible benefits of herbal supplementation.

Although millions of people around the world suffer from lupus there are many who have not even heard of this common disease. It is an autoimmune disease in which the patient’s own body turns against itself. In someone suffering from lupus certain antibodies are created which instead of protecting the body tend to turn against it. Since the symptoms of lupus often resemble those of other diseases, treatment is often ignored. There is no single test that can properly diagnose the existence of lupus which is another reason why most of the people are quite ignorant about this disease. Fortunately though, lupus treatment is widely available these days.

Lupus is known to affect several parts of the body and not just a single part. Among the parts that lupus attacks include, heart, kidneys, lungs and blood. One of the common symptoms of lupus includes the breakout of red rashes on the body, most often in the facial region. A good sunscreen can help you cure such a rash. There are many instances when lupus is triggered due to the use of certain types of medication. In such cases lupus treatment depends on getting to know the exact medication which is causing the problem. The entire treatment procedure depends on properly diagnosing the underlying cause for the disease to a large extent. While consulting a doctor for lupus you should therefore always inform them about any other medication that you may be taking for this reason.

As part of lupus treatment, flu shots are also recommended sometimes. This is done in order to prevent other infections from developing, which is common in people suffering from lupus There are many who also feel that lupus can sometimes be triggered by the use of certain products such as hair dyes and dental fillings, although this has not been conclusively proven. In certain cases even fear and anxiety have been known to trigger an attack of lupus.

Lupus treatment therefore depends to a large extent on determining the underlying cause which triggered off the attack in the first place. A healthy diet which contains all the essential nutrients is recommended for both preventing as well as treating lupus Good nutritious diet is known to work wonders in those suffering from lupus Regular exercise along with proper medication is perhaps the best lupus treatment that you can get. There are many breathing exercises that help to calm the body that are known to be beneficial to those suffering from lupus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is known to be a life-threatening chronic autoimmune disease. As indicated by statistics, around 2 million people in the United States suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus and most of them are affected by severe forms of the disease. Lupus is characterized by dysfunctions of the immune system, which begins to attack healthy blood cells and the body’s genetic material. Instead of protecting the organism from external infectious agents, the immune system produces abnormal antibodies which cause serious damage to the entire body.

Although modern medicine hasn’t yet found a cure for systemic lupus erythematosus, the medical treatments available today can control the manifestations of the disease, preventing it from evolving. The progression of systemic lupus erythematosus can be very unpredictable. An interesting feature of the disease is the alternation between periods of remission and periods of aggravation. In the periods of remission, people with the disease have milder symptoms of lupus, only to experience severe and diversified symptoms later on, in the periods of recurrence. Lupus has a pronounced chronic character which determines the reappearance of its symptoms in time. Due to the recidivating character of the symptoms of lupus, the medical treatment is ongoing and involves frequent changes in the medication dosage.

Systemic lupus erythematosus can generate a wide variety of symptoms. Each patient with the disease can experience different symptoms of lupus, at oscillating intensities. In the initial stages of the disease, the symptoms of lupus resemble those of a cold or flu: generalized state of fatigue, body weakness, muscle and joint pain, headache, poor appetite and moderate fever. These unspecific symptoms of lupus are usually not intense and can persist for several months before they are replaced with specific symptoms of lupus: skin rashes that amplify due to exposure to the sun, lesions in the mouth and nose, joint inflammation and swelling, ongoing muscle pain, hair loss, dramatic weight loss or weight gain, chest pain when taking deep breaths. Laboratory analyses can reveal the following symptoms of lupus: abnormal numbers of blood cells (red cells, white cells or platelets), presence of malign anti-DNA antibodies in the blood, presence of antinuclear antibodies in the blood (ANA).

When the disease affects the cardiovascular system, the symptoms of lupus are: hyperactivity of the heart, accelerated pulse and high blood pressure. Many people with systemic lupus erythematosus can in time develop serious heart diseases.

When the autoimmune disease affects the nervous system, the symptoms of lupus are: states of mental confusion, poor concentration, seizures and faints. Patients can also develop psychological problems such as: depression, paranoia and mania.

The symptoms of lupus are diverse and sometimes they can become very intense. People with lupus experience different kinds of symptoms at different stages of the disease. Hence, the medical treatment for lupus is individualized, every patient receiving medications according to the experienced symptoms. It is very important to timely discover the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus in patients, in order to commence the administration of an appropriate treatment. Without proper medications and constant medical monitoring, the symptoms of lupus can become severe and the patients’ overall health can be dramatically affected.

Throat thrush is a form of oral thrush which occurs in the throat. Also known as oral candida, it is a yeast infection which occurs when the naturally occurring candida yeast starts to grow in excess and cannot be effectively managed by the body.

Thrush can cause and uncomfortable burning sensation in the throat, but because of its positioning it can be quite difficult to determine what might be causing this sensation. Throat thrush will also be accompanied by small white spots which you may be able to see by looking into a mirror to the back of your throat. While these spots will cause no discomfort, they do have a tendency to bleed when scraped, making it quite unpleasant for a throat thrush sufferer to eat certain hard foods which may cause a scratching sensation.

The candida fungus which causes throat thrush is present in about 50% of the population, although many will never suffer a full blown throat thrush outbreak. Throat thrush can occur at any time but is often a symptom of a weakened immune system and that means it regularly occurs when the suffere is feeling run down, has suffered from flu or any other immune system weakening disease.

If you are suffering from throat thrush, or have suffered from yeast infections previously, you will be glad to know that help is at hand. New homeopathic remedies have been identified as the most effective treatment to both ease occurring yeast infections and prevent further yeast infections from reoccurring.

Yeastrol has been shown as the most effective treatment for throat thrush, as well as thrush occurring in other parts of the body. It is simple to use, being a spray which is taken in the mouth daily. The special formulation rebalances your body’s immune system to properly control the yeast overgrowth.

Lupus treatment is typically directed at the symptoms that are being experienced. In some cases the risks that are inherent in some treatments may not prove to be worth the risk to the individual’s health. In all cases focus on preventing flareups in the symptoms can be among the most effective approaches.

Treatments that have shown themselves to be effective at preventing flareups in some individuals include lifestyle changes and medication. The specific changes that may help an individual should be discussed in detail with a doctor before making any changes.

Among the medications that are commonly used in lupus treatment are medications of three varieties. These three medication types are usually used in the treatment of mild to moderate lupus conditions. With more severe conditions there may be the need for more aggressive treatments.

• Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs

As inflammation is one of the common symptoms associated with lupus, this class of drug can help to improve an individual’s comfort level easily and effectively with little risk. A number of over the counter medications may be suitable, but a doctor should be consulted before using these to treat lupus symptoms.

• Antimalarial drugs

These medications have proven to be beneficial in the treatment of lupus, despite there being no known relationship between the two diseases. These medications may also aid in the prevention of lupus flareups. These drugs may cause vision problems and muscle weaknesses in some cases though.

• Corticosteroids

These medications also help to combat the inflammation that is common in cases of lupus. They may cause serious long-term side effects though.

Lupus treatment for severe forms of the disease may include high-dose corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medications. These may pose greater risks to the individuals that take them. As a result it is important to maintain doctor supervision if you take them.

There are a number of other treatments that are in development. Some intend to treat the symptoms more effectively, while the goals of others include curing the disease by rehabilitating the immune system.