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Lupus Myths

Med — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:48:52 +0000

Like many things that are scary and have unknowns that must be dealt with, lupus has a lot of mysteries surrounding it. There are so many questions about causes and treatments. Because of this there are also many myths that have developed around this disease. It is time to dispel them so that the information that people receive about lupus is not simply a bunch of frightening incorrect drivel, but the truth. Let’s take one of the frightening aspects of lupus away and leave only the facts. Firstly, lupus is a chronic disease that affects the immune system. It causes inflammation throughout the body and often attacks the organs. There are one and a half million Americans who suffer with this disease.

One misconception is that only adults develop lupus. This is wrong. Lupus can affect anyone but the common age for unset is fifteen to forty five. Yet, twenty percent of all lupus sufferers are under twenty.

People believe that lupus is contagious. This disease cannot be caught by coming into contact with others who may have it. Some think that only women can get lupus. This is also not true though ninety percent of all lupus sufferers are women, men do get this disease. Many cannot understand what the big deal is with this disease. Why not just cure the patients and be done. There is no cure for lupus as of yet. There are medications that can give those living with lupus near normal lives, but once lupus develops it is a chronic disease that is with the person for the rest of their lives.

Some people believe that since lupus has some signs that are very obvious, the telltale butterfly rash for example, that you can always identify someone with lupus. But, since most of the symptoms deal with a disease that is attacking the internal organs this is not true. The rashes are not always present and when they are they are not always on the face.

Many people think that when a person has lupus they go to the lupus doctor and that is how they get their medication. But with this disease there is never one doctor that is seen. Lupus affects so many different parts of the body that the person affected winds up seeing their general practitioner, and likely an internist and many other specialists including a rheumatologist.

People do not realize the number of people who are suffering from this disease. They assume that there are more people suffering from AIDS so lupus should not get so much coverage. The truth is that in the United States there are more people suffering from lupus than there are from AIDS, Sickle Cell Anemia, Cystic Fibrosis, Multiple Sclerosis and Cerebral Palsy combined.

Even those with lupus live with some misunderstanding of the disease. Those who get the rash sometimes think it is only because they have overheated in the sun. But that is not why. Though the rash can be traced to being out in sunlight it is more because of the skin’s reaction to the ultraviolet light not from getting too hot.

Safety With Pregnancy And Lupus

Med — Tue, 25 May 2010 02:03:52 +0000

Pregnancy often becomes an issue with young women who have Lupus. The disease often strikes during the childbearing years when most young women are planning to have babies. It is a real concern as Lupus is a chronic multi-symptom disease that affects the immune system.

Some of the more common concerns women have are:

Is it safe to conceive?

Will the condition of pregnancy cause flare-ups with my disease?

At what point in my disease is the best time to get pregnant?

Why does my doctor want me to have so many more visits than a normal pregnancy?

Are my Lupus medications safe to take during pregnancy?

Will Lupus affect my unborn baby?

Will I need to have a Caesarian Section?

Will Lupus affect my ability to breastfeed?

Will I have difficulty conceiving because of Lupus?

If my partner has Lupus, will that have any affect on our chance of conception?

These are all commonly asked questions and normal for a couple to be thinking about when they want to conceive a baby. It is wise to consult your physician as well as the obstetrician you plan on using while pregnant. Immune issue diseases have a close connection to being able to conceive.

Obstetricians recognize that complications can arise during pregnancy and close monitoring will be conducted. Many normally occurring aches and pains of pregnancy will need to be taken into account when treating the mom-to-be with Lupus. Blood clotting is also a concern because of placental bleeding (occurring during the 2nd trimester), and bleeding issues surrounding labor. Despite problems associated with pregnancy for moms with Lupus, 50% of all women who have Lupus at the time of their pregnancies have successful births with healthy babies. Fetal loss in utero statistically is 20% of all known Lupus related conceptions, which is not that much higher than otherwise normal pregnancies that have a 15% miscarriage rate for women in their 20′s and 30′s. All Lupus pregnancies are considered high risk. Women who have Lupus are cautioned against having home births, since complications could arise. The most common pregnancy related flares for the mom-to-be with Lupus are rashes, arthritis and fatigue (a common pregnancy symptom anyways). There have been some women who have reported experiencing a decrease in symptoms during their pregnancies. It is possible that the increases blood flow during pregnancy may aggravate skin rashes.

The most successful pregnancies have been obtained when Lupus has been in remission for at least 6 months prior to conception. Other than miscarriage the greatest danger to the baby is premature birth (born before 36 weeks of gestation). The majority of babies born weighing at least 3lbs., have healthy outcomes.

As far as when it is the male who has Lupus and any conception issues: young men who have lupus are fertile and have normal reproductive abilities. Their disease should have not affect on their ability to be sexually active.

It is always a concern to take any kind of medication during pregnancy; however it is important to follow treatment plans devised by your physician who understands your disease and it’s affect on your unborn baby. Most of the medications that are commonly taken by lupus patients are safe to use during pregnancy including Prednisolone and Aspirin. No medications should be used without a physician’s advice or knowledge.

Medications That Fight Lupus

Med — Sat, 22 May 2010 03:37:52 +0000

To fight lupus a person must be prepared to take an assortment of medications based on their needs at that moment. These can be broken down in several groups depending on what the purpose of the drug is. The average patient dealing with lupus can count on using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly referred to as NSAIDs, anti-malarial medications, corticosteroids and immunosuppressives. Each one has its uses and some will work better for some patients then for others. But all of them will be reviewed by the health care provider to determine which are best for their patients based on the condition and needs of the individual.

NSAIDs are a type of medication, most often bought over the counter like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Or they can be prescribed if the health care provider feels something just a little stronger would be better. These are a milder kind of anti-inflammatory that can give relief when the patient is suffering from swelling of the joints and joint or muscle pain. Nearly eighty percent of all patients who have lupus use these. Using these drugs helps to keep the person with lupus from always having to use excessively strong medications. If these NSAIDs work for them it is a better alternative.

Anti-malarial medicines are drugs that were originally developed to deal with the malaria infection. May years later doctors were surprised to find that anti-malarial drugs deal very well with the many symptoms that those with lupus develop. These include pain in the joints, the rashes on the skin, inflammation that may be in the lungs and the excessive tiredness. They have also found that continued use of anti-malarial drugs may prevent flare-ups. The most widely used anti-malarial in the United States is hydroxychloroquine which is also known under the brand name Plaquenil.

The family of corticosteroids is the main drugs used to treat lupus. Corticosteroids contain a natural anti-inflammatory hormone. They are very potent drugs and because of this the health care providers do their best to keep the doses low while still getting a benefit from them. These drugs work fast as diminishing the inflammation. That is what makes them so valuable. But they do have side effects and some of them are not very pleasant. They include weight can, high blood pressure and in the long term cataracts and weakened bones. A person cannot just stop using these suddenly they must be weaned off them to avoid having medical problems when they stop. But, when they are no longer taking them most of the side effects disappear.

The other type of drug that is used a lot is immunosuppressants. The job of this medication is to stop the immune system, which is overreacting and so attacking healthy tissue, from attacking the body and to block the production of more immune cells. These are more frequently used when a person is dealing with a situation where the kidneys or the central nervous systems are being damaged. A patient suffering with lupus must trust their health care provider to recommend to them which combination of medications to use.

Dealing With Childhood Onset Lupus

Med — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 08:11:52 +0000

A child has fewer coping skills when dealing with a chronic disease such as Lupus. Adults in their lives would do well, to be sensitive to their need for emotional and social support.

Try not to force Lupus-related issues if the child is resisting. It is important to try to be calm during discussions and present a positive attitude. Patience really is a virtue when dealing with a child on most issues, when trying to manage a chronic disease; things can easily get out of hand emotionally. Take a break, give everyone space and then resume the discussion. This may be a good time to try to put yourself in their shoes (so to speak).

Depending on the age of the child, try to involve the child when planning daily life activities around their disease. The more the child understands the disease the more in control the child will feel. Education is an important aid to understanding any disease. Your pediatrician can provide you with pamphlets for your child, your child’s teacher, school guidance counselor, even their friends.

Allow the child to experience life as much as possible allowing for the disease as necessary. There are many ways to give your child opportunity to socialize with peers that will not fatigue them, such as having small groups of friends over or one on one get togethers in a relaxed atmosphere.

Not every child experiences psychological issues with Lupus, but if they do, adults should try to be patient and compassionate. Understanding how the child feels and assuring that they get the kind of professional help they need are important things you can do.

Teens may have an especially difficult time accepting the limitations of chronic diseases such as Lupus. Helping them by answering questions, giving them information and being able to listen to them, when they are ready to talk are all ways to help them cope. They may have difficulty grasping how their future will hold when Lupus is such a controlling part of their life. They need answers and a positive attitude.

Mentoring with other teens that are also coping with Lupus may help your teen to feel that they are not alone in dealing with everything.

You may need to be your child’s advocate with the adults at school. It will help your child if the staff at school can be educated concerning the disease.

Children and teens dealing with rashes and bloating may have a difficult time when it comes to peers and trying to impress or to fit in. It is important that treatment be followed to reduce these symptoms. It is also important that whenever possible peer issues that relate to disease issues like physical symptoms or fatigue, be addressed by a physician or therapist and the school counselor.

It is very important to try to decrease the urge to overprotect your child. Be your child’s advocate, but allow your child to participate as much as possible in school activities and sporting events. Monitor how your child is handling these situations but give your child some freedom when it comes to making age appropriate decisions.

It can sometimes happen that siblings can feel that the child with Lupus gets a lot of attention, even if that attention involves medical appointments or treatments. Siblings who are old enough to should be helped to understand what Lupus is and what it means to their sibling who has it in regards to physical and emotional symptoms (without embarrassing the child concerned).

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

Med — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:22:52 +0000

Most times the lupus that you hear about is the worst kind which is called systemic lupus erythematosus. This type of lupus, also known as SLE, is a condition that favors women as those affected and has not only skin rashes but a host of medical issues that relate to the body’s immune system attacking the organs. Though this can be an aggressive disease but it can be handled by the right medications and lifestyle changes.

There are other types of lupus. Discoid lupus erythematosus, called DLE, has its own symptoms. This disease seems to concentrate more on skin rashes. It can cover the face with lesions and they can also be seen on the scalp. They are shaped like disks, hence the name discoid, and although seen mainly on the face they can be found anywhere on a person’s body.

The discoid rash is usually very red; it will be in patches that are thick and often scaly. They may appear red with a whitish, or at least lighter colored, scaly rim. Or it can be the opposite with the lighter patch surrounded by a darker red border. Either way they are disfiguring if on the face. The skin pigmentation can change because of this disease. It can lighten, or darker, in patches. They can also scar. If the rash is on the scalp then it is possible that there will be hair loss because of the scarring. Unfortunately with this kind of lupus the hair loss is more likely to be permanent. The only positive thing seems to be that the rashes do not normally itch and they are not likely to cause any pain.

When this condition is suspected it is necessary to have a biopsy done. There are a few conditions with similar symptoms and so it must be determined if it is indeed DLE or something similar.

There are medications to treat discoid lupus. Usually cortisone creams or lotions are enough. They will slow down the advancing rashes and hopefully help the ones that are already there to recover. Sometimes these are not enough and an injection of cortisone right into the rash is necessary. These rashes will usually be very sensitive to the sun and so when the lupus sufferer goes outside they will need to wear protective clothing and sun screen. A sun protection factor, listed on the bottle as SPF, of at least thirty is recommended.

Rarely DLE can have organ related issues with it. This happens more often with children or with those who have a lot of rashes covering their body. When there are a lot of them on the body it is more likely that the DLE will develop into SLE at some point. The person who suffers with this kind of lupus has to watch the rashes and make sure there are no unusual changes in the way they look. If so they must see their health care provider immediately as this can be a sign of skin cancer.

Diagnosing Lupus

Med — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:08:52 +0000

Lupus is a type of disease that is particularly difficult to diagnose properly. Lupus is often referred to as ‘the great imitator’ due to the fact that it has many different symptoms that an individual may experience. Another problem is that the symptoms that one feels from a case of lupus can come and go at a moments notice, making it a particularly pesky problem for doctors to deal with. In this article, we’ll refer to some of the more commonly used methods that doctors use to diagnose the disease so that you can better identify the possible symptoms that the disease can cause, keeping yourself and the people that you love at a better chance for diagnosing the disease early if it occurs.

There are eleven basic symptoms that an individual may experience that can denote a case of lupus. In order for a successful diagnosis of the disease, doctors stress that a patient needs to be experiencing at least four of the symptoms simultaneously or nearly simultaneously during an observatory period.

A malar rash is one of the main symptoms of lupus; as a matter of fact, it’s probably where the disease got its name. Doctors in the middle ages coined the term ‘lupus’ because of the resemblance to wolves faces that malar rashes can cause. The second symptom for diagnosis is known as ‘discoid lupus’, and it refers to the presence of scaly patches on the individuals skin which may leave scars. Photosensitivity is a third symptom; individuals with lupus may develop rashes when exposed to the sun. Oral ulcers are the fourth symptom in the diagnosis, and a case of arthritis in one or more joints is the fifth. Renal disorders are the sixth symptom which causes an individual to release protein in their urine.

This disorder can be diagnosed by the doctor examining a urine sample under a microscope. A neurological disorder is the seventh symptom, which can manifest itself in a case of seizures or a form of psychosis. The eighth symptom is known as serositis, and it can cause an inflammation of the area around the lungs or around the heart. The ninth is a hemotalogic disorder, which refers to a lack of white blood cell levels in an individual with no drugs causing the occurrence. For the tenth symptom, an anti-nuclear antibody test is performed. If the test comes out positive, a symptom may be added to the diagnosis. The last symptom for a diagnosis of lupus is known as an immunologic disorder, and it may be discovered through a syphilis test, surprisingly enough. If a syphilis test is performed and a false positive result is returned, the immunologic disorder symptom is fulfilled.

Now that you know a little more about the possible problems that an individual may have that can indicate a case of lupus, you are better prepared for dealing with the problem should it arise in yourself or someone that you know. While there is no cure yet, much progress is being made in the field of lupus research.

A Healthy Pregnancy Is Possible For The Woman With Lupus

Med — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:41:52 +0000

It used to be that a woman with lupus was told that she could not have a successful pregnancy. That was twenty some years ago. Today with managed, competent medical supervision, a woman can successful conceive and bear a healthy baby. A pregnant woman with lupus will be considered a high-risk pregnancy. She will see a doctor more often than a woman without a special condition such as lupus. It is important for the woman to follow some important health tips for having a successful pregnancy:

1. Plan to conceive when in remission for at least 6 months. Becoming pregnant while your disease is in a active state could end in miscarriage

2. Get your body in optimal physical shape

3. Prepare yourself emotionally and mentally for the pains that are sure to accompany you on your pregnancy journey. Joints loosen during pregnancy and since joints are already affected by lupus, you may experience more pain or swelling.

4. Plan to take time off work so that you can get plenty of rest or make other sacrifices in order to put the needs of your body first

5. Put together a support team. Use this team to uplift you when you are feeling down, or to lend a hand with baby preparation for the times when fatigue hits you

Lupus flares can happen during pregnancy because of the fluctuating and ever present pregnancy hormones. Be prepared for symptoms to increase.

Keep a pregnancy journal of your symptoms, their duration and intensity. Share this journal with your doctor. Understanding how pregnancy is affecting your disease is important for you and for your doctor.

Pregnancy Complications to Prepare For:

Premature labor is common for the pregnant lupus patient. Preparing yourself for this likelihood by reading books about preemies can help you to cope, if this becomes a reality.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is another reality. Your doctor will check your blood pressure at every visit. If your doctor prescribes any medication for high blood pressure it is important to take it as directed. Besides a high reading on the BP cuff, another clue for hypertension is protein in the urine. Pregnancy induced hypertension (a serious condition) is usually treated by prompt delivery of the infant.

10% of lupus pregnancies end in still birth or miscarriage. Your pregnancy will be closely monitored. You will receive frequent sonograms and your baby’s heartbeat will be regularly checked at appointments.

Concerns for the Baby:

The risk is greater for a miscarriage during the 2nd trimester. Lupus puts the woman at greater risk for blood clotting issues. 3% of all babies born to mothers with lupus will be born with Neonatal lupus. This disappears by the time the infant is 3 to 6 months of age. Half of all babies born with Neonatal Lupus have heart defects.

Ways to Pamper Yourself During Pregnancy

1. Keep all of your scheduled appointments

2. Make sure you get lots of sleep at night and rest during the day.

3. Eating nutritious meals and watching not to overeat and help keep you at the desired pregnancy weight.

4. Take all mediations as prescribed.

5. Do not smoke, or drink alcoholic beverages

6. Understand that some of the bodily changes that are normal during pregnancy mimic lupus flare-ups.

Lupus Causes Hair Loss

Med — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:04:52 +0000

There are so many things that are affected when a person has lupus that this alone can cause confusion, apprehension and stress when dealing with the disease. One of the symptoms of lupus that can be especially difficult to deal with for women is hair loss. This loss of hair may be one of the first signs a person notices that something is medically wrong with them. They may wake in the mornings and notice their pillow covered in hair. For some this loss can be extreme leaving bare patches. In at least fifty percent of lupus sufferers there is a certain amount of reversible thinning or actual loss of hair. The During a flare-up the hair itself becomes so brittle that it now breaks constantly with very little effort. The hair can fall out easily as well. A person can run their hand over their scalp and come away with clumps of hair. There are also hairs that grow oddly, nicknamed lupus hairs, because they are short hairs that seem to grow at the line of the forehead. When the lupus sufferer notices new hair loss it is important for them to contact their health care provider since this is often a sign of a flare-up. It is possible if the physician is contacted early enough that treatments can begin quickly and so the hair loss can be contained.

There are some basic steps that can be taken to try to avert excessive hair loss. First if a person is using hair color this should be stopped. It damages hair enough when there is no problem coloring it. During a stage of hair loss it will only make it worse. The same goes for curling irons, hot rollers or the overuse of hair dryers. Stay away from perms as well. If the hair is kept shorter it will be easier to deal with and the weight of the hair will not add more stress thereby encouraging it falling out.

There are a few others things that can be done to help reduce hair loss. Using a milder shampoo that has a detangler will make brushing or combing hair that has just been washed much easier. In fact using a rubber tipped brush or a wide toothed comb will also make for less pulling on already fragile hair. Try to let the hair dry on its own after a gentle toweling. Anything that puts pressure on the hair is bad. That means that pulling it back into a bun or ponytail should be avoided. Do not use barrettes or any kind of hair clips. Any of these may make your hair look nicer but it will also put stress on it and could add to the hair loss.

The only time that the hair would not regrow is when the scalp has been scarred by lesions and so the follicles themselves wind up scarred. This does not happen very often.

Lupus And Pregnancy

Med — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:13:52 +0000

One thing that many people fail to consider when they are thinking about a lupus condition is the consequences that the disease may have on a pregnancy. In this article, we’ll do our best to clear up some of the questions that you may have regarding lupus and pregnancy.

Lupus is a disease that primarily affects women, and therefore many questions arise when it comes to whether pregnancy is a good idea or not. Since the disease affects the mother’s immune system to a high degree, there are a lot of things to consider. In the past, doctors recommended that women with lupus should not have children at all and that abortions were necessary if a woman with lupus got pregnant. However, you shouldn’t lose hope just yet – we’ve learned that over fifty percent of all pregnancies that occur within women with lupus end up completely normal with no problems to speak of. Approximately twenty five percent of all lupus pregnancies result in a premature birth, and twenty percent of lupus pregnancies end as a result of a miscarriage. These are some important statistics to consider when weighing whether or not you should have children. While the disease is not heritable, the child will inherit a predisposition to the disease. Approximately five percent of all children born to a person with lupus will develop the disease later in their lives.

If you decide that you want to try to have a child, you should realize that your pregnancy should be considered ‘high risk’ and that you should take the appropriate actions to ensure that your baby will be getting the safest care possible. Therefore, you should ensure that the obstetrician that you visit is familiar with lupus and the complications that it can cause for a pregnancy. You should also take care to ensure that your delivery will be performed at a hospital that has a unit for premature births due to the statistical chance that you face of giving birth prematurely.

Your health should also be taken into consideration when you are thinking about having a child. Pregnancy can cause a case of lupus to have frequent flare-ups, causing joint pain, rashes, and fatigue to abound. If you end up deciding to get pregnant, you should ensure that you have a close relationship with your doctor and that you regularly visit them in order to cut off any problems that you may have at the pass.

Pregnancy in those with lupus is a very difficult and serious thing to consider. Be sure that you don’t jump to any conclusions and get all of the information that you can before you make a decision. Be sure to speak to the doctor that you visit for your lupus about your situation so that you can ensure that you are a good candidate for pregnancy. If you do decide to become pregnant, be sure that you maintain the healthiest lifestyle possible while regularly consulting your doctor in order to appropriately address risks.

All About Drug Induced Lupus

Med — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 10:29:52 +0000

Of all of the forms of the disease known as lupus, drug-induced lupus is one of the least severe. It is a problem that can potentially affect many individuals due to their prescription regimens, and it is an important type of illness to become familiarized with. In this article, we’ll talk about drug-induced lupus so that you can get a better feel for the problem.

While there haven’t been any types of specific criteria established for diagnosing a case of drug-induced lupus, there are some symptoms that can definitely point a doctor in the right direction when it comes to diagnosing the problem. Those who have a case of drug-induced lupus often experience pain and swelling in their muscles and joints, as well as the occurrence of flu symptoms such as a fever and a high level of fatigue and malaise. Inflammation may also be present within the membranes of the lungs and the heart.

Drug-induced lupus may be brought on as a side effect of taking many different forms of medications. Doctors have determined that over seventy types of medications may be responsible for a case of drug-induced lupus. Luckily, if an individual is afflicted with the problem, it often clears up after the medication that is causing the problem to occur is discontinued. Some of the main types of medication that can lead to a case of drug-induced lupus include drugs to help deal with heart disease, thyroid disease, hypertension or neuropsychiatric disorders. Drug-induced lupus only tends to arise after one of these types of medications has been used continuously for several months. The problem is most likely to arise in males that are over the age of fifty, since that demographic is particularly prone to problems that involve the use of drug-induced lupus medications such as heart disease medications. This is contrary to systemic lupus, a problem in which females are much more likely to develop the disease than males. There are many different theories that have been proposed regarding the reasons that an individual may fall victim to drug-induced lupus, but no scientific consensus has been reached.

While drug-induced lupus tends to dissipate after the medication that was causing it is discontinued, it is a process that can take anywhere between a few months to a few years. Studies have shown that individuals that are recovering from a case of drug-induced lupus tend to recover more quickly when taking non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. If symptoms of lupus are present in you or someone that you love, it is very important to pin down the cause of the problem. If a medication is to blame, you should speak to your doctor about the choices you should make regarding stopping the medication. If the case of lupus is not drug-induced, it’s important to receive proper medications in order to slow the progression of the illness. Laboratory tests are able to confirm whether a case of lupus is drug-induced or not by measuring levels of abnormalities in the immune system, so be sure to find out what the source of the problem is if you have symptoms of the disease.