Do You Know the Types of Lupus?

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Do You Know the Types of Lupus?

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the body in many different ways, from mild to fatal. Some people exhibit symptoms affecting the skin and joints, while others suffer damage to the lungs, blood, brain, tissues and kidneys. Lupus nephritis, for instance, is the inflammation of the kidneys, which affects the body’s ability to filter waste from the blood, which may necessitate a kidney transplant or dialysis. Many people suffer increased blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension) or inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), which may cause congestive heart failure. Heart attacks may occur if there is a hardening of the arteries, or “central nervous system” lupus can create strokes, memory problems, confusion and headaches. The brain’s blood vessels can become inflamed, creating fevers, seizures and psychosis. It’s hard to calculate how quickly systemic lupus erythematosus will progress or what systems will be affected, but careful monitoring is a must.

There are five types of lupus: systemic lupus erythematosus, which affects the joints and organs; discoid lupus, which affects the skin; sub-acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which is characterized by skin lesions; drug-induced lupus that develops after a drug reaction; and neonatal lupus that affects newborns. Lupus signs include: fatigue, fever, weight loss/gain, joint pain/stiffness/swelling, butterfly rashes on the cheeks, skin lesions that worsen with sunlight, mouth sores, fingers and toes that turn white or blue in the cold, shortness of breath, chest pain, dry eyes, easy bruising, anxiety, depression and/or memory loss. The Lupus Foundation says there are no two cases of lupus that are exactly alike. Signs may emerge gradually or come on suddenly, and can be mild or severe. Most people have “flare-ups” or episodes. To test for lupus, your doctor will ask you some questions, run a standard physical, take urine and blood samples and perform an electrocardiogram.

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus is a very strange condition resulting from a reaction to medication. The drug may cause the body to form antibodies that attack healthy cells. Some medications that have caused drug-induced lupus include:Chlorpromazine, Hydralazine, Isoniazid, Methyldopa, Penicillamine, Procainamide, Quinidine and Sulfasalazine. Symptoms such as a fever, swelling and pain in the joints, chest pain and skin rashes occur after taking the drug for at least 3 to 6 months. Usually, the symptoms disappear once the medication is stopped, but sometimes patients are directed to take coricosteroids, NSAIDs or antimalarial drugs to treat skin and arthritis symptoms.

If you’re diagnosed with lupus, then it’s important that you get 8-10 hours of sleep each night. Remember that even small amounts of sunlight can hurt your skin, so wear protective clothing, such as long shirts and pants, use SPF 15+ sunscreen, avoid tanning beds and use plastic devices that block UV emissions from indoor lights. Getting regular exercise is also important in recovering from flare-ups, reducing heart attack risks and fighting depression. If you’re a smoker, then doctors recommend that you quit because the risk of cardiovascular disease increases with the added vascular stress caused by nicotine. Lastly, eat a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. To keep your mood elevated, the Lupus Foundation offers educational programs, counseling, group exercising classes and community events like “Walk For Lupus” to help raise money and awareness. Becoming an advocate is a great way to regain a sense of control.