Symptoms of Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that mainly effects women aged 15 to 44. However, anyone can be struck with this ailment. It isn't contagious and develops when a person's immune system cannot fight off foreign invaders.
There are many symptoms of Lupus. Extreme fatigue is the most common symptom. There is also a butterfly shaped rash that generally occurs on the cheeks and nose on an affected individual. Although it is not necessarily always present.
Headaches are a common complaint with this disease. Painful and swollen joints are also a universal symptom. It can become quite difficult to walk or move.
Blood tests generally reveal anemia in Lupus patients. Patients generally run a fever. Edema is found in feet, legs, hands, and also around the eyes. Another symptom can also be pain upon taking a deep breath.
Hair loss is a possibility with this disease. Raynaud's disease can also be present. This is when the fingers can turn white or even blue when the individual becomes cold. Another sign of Lupus can be the development of mouth or nose ulcers. Other patients might experience an extreme sensitivity to light.
Lupus can affect pretty much any organ in the body and cause inflammation. This can lead to infections and possibly even kidney failure. A patient can also become severely depressed.
Any combination of symptoms can be present, but not necessarily every one of them. Lupus can also mimic other diseases making it difficult to diagnose. There will be a combination of symptoms taken into consideration plus lab work to determine if Lupus is present. It takes time to diagnose and with proper care, it is a treatable disease, although it is not curable.
Learn to Avoid Foods That Trigger Lupus Flares – With an Easy, at Home Food Allergy Testing Strategy
A food allergy is an immune response to a particular food or beverage, similar to the immune response against the body itself in a lupus patient. Don't confuse food allergies with food intolerances; they are different. When you experience food intolerance, it is not caused by the immune system, and is simply an adverse response by your body to a particular food (like lactose intolerance).
You've got to take care of yourself; having lupus or any auto-immune disease makes you especially susceptible to food allergies and these allergic reactions can instigate flares.
There are many ways to determine food allergies and the symptoms they produce. According to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, you should watch for the following 7 symptoms up to two hours of eating.
Food allergy symptoms to watch out for:
o Tingling sensation in the mouth
o Swelling of the tongue and the throat
o Difficulty breathing
o Hives
o Vomiting, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea
o Sudden drop in blood pressure
o Loss of consciousness
If you suspect you have a food allergy, it is important to work with a health professional, because while simply cutting that food out of your diet may alleviate your symptoms, it won't address the potential allergy itself.
Allergy testing is easier than it sounds. You might be afraid of needles, but in most cases you don't even have to see them!
Common allergy testing methods:
Pin Prick allergy testing
In the pin prick skin test the doctor places a small drop of the substance (in this case food) that you may be allergic to on your skin and then pricks you with a tiny needle. He or she will then wait for a few minutes to see if you develop a reaction, which is usually localized in the form of redness and swelling.
RAST Allergy Test
The RAST test is another allergy test that requires a blood sample sent to a lab, where specialized tests are done to determine your allergies.
The At-Home Allergy Pulse Test
Another easy way to get an indication of a food allergy is by using the at-home allergy pulse test. This is done by checking your pulse rate before and after eating. When you maintain a close watch over your pulse rate while you challenge different foods, you can often determine possible food reactions. However, it is important that you do not use or rely on this test if you have a history of strong allergic reactions, especially anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reason which results in swelling of the throat).
To perform the pulse test on yourself, simply take your pulse before eating a meal to establish your base (or control) pulse rate.
It's best to eat a single food, and then re-check your pulse rate at 15, 30 and 60 minutes afterwards. If you see an increase in elevation of more than 10 beats faster than your base pulse, it means you are likely allergic to that food.
An obvious problem is that you may want to eat more than one food at a time. Go ahead and eat that meal, and again do your pulse test before, and after your meal as above. In this way you'll be able to determine if the foods don't have any effect, or if there are foods creating a reaction with an elevated pulse rate.
To start testing your food reactions, a simple natural diet is the way to go. Stick with meals that don't require a lot of work and include just a few simple ingredients.
If you do find an increased pulse, it's a good idea to test each food separately in order to narrow down which food ingredient is the culprit from that meal.
Be sure to keep a diary with you at all times, so you can keep a proper record and learn to identify which foods, if any, are triggering a flare. Be cautioned though, food triggers and their reactions can change, therefore be tricky to catch. However, this test is a great start to taking control of unnecessary flares that result from food allergies.
It is best to work with an experienced wellness specialist to help you maintain your health program and get further support to answer your health questions when necessary.
90% of all food allergies are caused by only eight foods!
Yes, it's true. Only 8 common foods are the culprit for most food allergies. These are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (such as walnuts, cashews, and pistachios), fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat. You should also avoid spicy foods, processed foods (such as American cheese), alcohol, chocolate, and caffeine if you have Lupus. I know this sounds like no fun at all, but all of these have the potential to mess with your immune system and have unexpected effects on your body. That's the last thing you need to worry about with lupus!
One way to recall these foods is by remembering the term 'DONGS', which stands for:
Dairy: Cow's milk and related products, goats' milk and related products, eggs
Ocean: Fish, shellfish
Nuts: Peanuts, tree nuts
Grains: Soy, wheat, wheat, rye, oats, barley, anything referred to as "gluten"
Spices: Paprika, garlic, cinnamon, cloves, cola, liquorice, mustard, oregano, peppers, poppy seeds, and sage
Now that I've told you all the no-no's... we can go over some of the foods you can eat and enjoy without fear of stimulating your immune system. Foods like brown rice, sweet potatoes, and veggies can make up delicious dishes full of energy and carbs to keep you going through the day. For a refreshing drink, why not reach for some fresh fruits or veggies and make a nice juiced smoothie or drink that will support your immune system and energy as well (just avoid asparagus, eggplant, onion, zucchini, raw olives, and peppers).
It's important to keep your strength up so you can fight the lupus all day, not just after eating, so try and have several smaller meals throughout the day versus 2 or 3 heavy meals that will rob you of precious energy you don't have to waste.
To learn more about the essentials of a healthy Lupus diet, plus holistic approaches to reducing Lupus symptoms visit Healing-Lupus.com for a free mini course.
Lupus Rash as a Common Sign of Autoimmune Disease
Lupus generates a wide range of symptoms and people with the disease experience them at different intensities. Lupus involves abnormal activity of the immune system. The dysfunctional immune system produces antibodies that turn against healthy body cells and tissues (antinuclear antibodies). Some antibodies produced by the dysfunctional immune system can even alter the body's genetic material (anti-DNA antibodies). The abnormal activity of the immune system can lead to the occurrence of various internal disorders (heart disease, pulmonary disease, kidney disease), disorders of the musculoskeletal system (arthritis, osteoporosis), disorders of the nervous system (brain disease) and skin diseases (lupus rash, erythematous lesions).
In spite of the fact that patients with the autoimmune disease generally have different symptoms, rash is a common sign of lupus. Lupus rash is characteristic to both systemic and discoid forms of the disease and it is usually the first symptom to appear. Lupus is a chronic disease and its generated symptoms reoccur on a regular time basis. Although other symptoms may come and go, lupus rash is very persistent and difficult to overcome.
Lupus rash commonly occurs on the body regions that are exposed to sunlight: scalp, face, neck and shoulders. However, the rash can also occur in other areas of the body (chest, back, palms and feet), in many cases accompanied by skin lesions. When it occurs on the face, lupus rash has a reddish, burn-like aspect. Sometimes the rash can even affect the moist tissues around the mouth and the nose. In the systemic form of the disease, lupus rash doesn't generally involve skin scarring and it can ameliorate with medical treatment. Lupus rash tends to aggravate if the affected skin is exposed to the sun for long periods of time.
In the discoid form of lupus, the rash occurs in different regions of the body and it affects larger patches of skin. Discoid lupus rash involves hyperpigmentation of the skin, exfoliation and the formation of crust. The skin lesions characteristic to discoid lupus erythematosus can affect deeper layers of skin and they usually heal with scarring. When it occurs on the scalp, discoid lupus rash can involve temporary or permanent hair loss (alopecia). If the rash is accompanied by intense scaling, papules and crust, the skin may heal with pronounced scarring.
Subacute cutaneous lupus rash generally occurs in the body areas that are exposed to the sun. The rash increases in size and it forms circular, scaly patches. This type of lupus rash doesn't involve scarring, but it usually heals with hypo-pigmentation of the skin. Subacute cutaneous lupus rash can occur in both systemic and discoid forms of the disease and it generally fades in the periods of remission. Although it can't be completely overcome, this symptom can also be controlled through the means of medical treatments. When you have lupus rash, it is very important to avoid exposing the affected skin to sunlight. Also, you should avoid exposing the skin to irritants and chemicals, as they can seriously aggravate the rash.
Lupus Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis – Similarities and Differences
A lot of people fail to make a distinction between lupus arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both of these are autoimmune diseases in which the body sets upon itself and causes itself harm. So, where does one draw the line?
Medical experts all agree that proper diagnosis and differentiation of these diseases is not an easy task. The clinical symptoms and laboratory abnormalities of both diseases tend to overlap.
Similarities of Lupus Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Lupus arthritis and RA incidence is differentiated by having more women being afflicted than men. They are both classified as multi-systemic diseases as they can affect and damage many organs.
Like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus attacks and damages the blood vessels. Both diseases also affect the normal function of the immune system, resulting in damaged tissues.
Differences Between Lupus Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus is a complex disease whose true cause is still unknown. It affects many parts of the body including the joints, skin, and internal organs. A person usually develops a rash in the shape of a butterfly on the cheeks and across the bridge of the nose.
Other symptoms of individuals with SLE include fatigue, hair loss, inflammation of the kidney, mouth sores and loss of appetite. This disease does not usually affect the spine and neck.
Similarly, the cause of rheumatoid arthritis is also unknown. The disease attacks the wrists, fingers, knees, feet and ankles. It is usually manifested by the onset of fatigue and weakness, and morning stiffness that lasts for more than an hour. Patients afflicted of this disease also complain of widespread muscle ache and progressive loss of appetite.
Patients suffering from lupus arthritis experience joint pain which is not associated with actual damage to the joint itself. There are also some cases where lupus patients don't experience swelling of the joints. This swollen lining is referred to as synovium.
However, lupus results to a more pronounced pain than that of rheumatoid arthritis. The symptoms of RA occur symmetrically, as an additive polyarthritis, with sequential addition of involved joints. On the other hand, lupus arthritis is a typical migratory arthritis, or episodic arthritis typical of gout.
Treatment of Lupus Arthritis
A person can suffer from both lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. When a person suffering from lupus starts manifesting rheumatoid-like symptoms, treatment for RA should be applied instead.
The good news about lupus arthritis is that it is treatable. This clinical symptom of SLE can be properly managed and treated when treatment plan is strictly followed. This disease is usually treated with NSAIDs including aspirin and ibuprofen. If those medications don't yield positive results, your doctor may prescribe anti-malarial agents and corticosteroids.
Doctors may also prescribe RA treatment forms such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine. In severe cases, more powerful treatment forms are adopted to control joint inflammation. These medications play an integral part in treating lupus arthritis, but it is by far not the only treatment. Supportive physical and occupational therapy complete the effective treatment plan for lupus arthritis.
Living With Lupus Flare
When your symptoms intrude on your life, it's known as lupus flare. Your symptoms may come and go. You may have rashes and swelling one week, and the next week you may be fine. You will probably find that your symptoms flare after a stressful day at work, or after you've been out in the sun for longer than you are accustomed to.
Even if you are on medications for lupus, you may see that your symptoms become worse at times. You will learn to recognize when a flare is coming, and then you can take some steps that will help you cope with it.
Some symptoms that occur just before a lupus flare include dizziness, headaches, stomach discomfort, fever, rash, pain and fatigue.
There are steps you can take to hopefully prevent flares, including getting rest and quiet time, and limiting the time spent in sunlight.
To help deal with a lupus flare as it comes on:
Develop a family and friend support system, including people you can feel at ease and comfortable with.
Exercise moderately, if you can.
Get plenty of quiet and rest.
Develop coping skills that can help slow down stress.
Maintain a healthy diet.
Limit your time in the sun.
Set realistic priorities and goals.
Talk to your doctor.
Learn to be able to tell when a flare is coming.
The scientific community doesn't know what causes lupus. There isn't a cure, but you can usually manage lupus. Flare ups make the disease difficult to deal with, but with help and support, you can make it through them. Lupus oftentimes appears to run in families, so there may be something genetically that triggers the disease. Symptoms may also be caused by certain medications, stress, sunlight and the environment.
Anyone can suffer from lupus. Nine out of ten are women, and lupus is most common in women that are between the ages of fifteen and forty-four. Researchers believe that the hormones in women might have something to due with the onset of lupus. But older people, and men, can get lupus, too. African-American women are three times as likely to get lupus as Caucasian women. Additionally, women who are American Indian, Asian and Hispanic or Latino suffer more often from lupus.
Although it is not understood why, both Hispanics/Latinos and African Americans tend to get lupus at an earlier age, and they have more symptoms at the time they are diagnosed. The lupus flare is typically more severe in these women, too. African-Americans have more strokes and seizures, and Hispanic/Latinos usually have more serious heart issues. Scientists don't know why some people have more symptoms than others.
If you suffer from lupus and face lupus flare on occasion, you're certainly not alone. But there are many things about lupus that scientists don't understand yet.
The Three Types Of Lupus
Lupus is a rare condition, but it can be a very difficult one. When you suffer from lupus, more than one of your organs may be affected. There are three lupus types that one can suffer from: systemic, discoid and lupus induced by drugs.
The discoid form of lupus affects only somebody' s skin. To diagnose this kind of lupus, the doctor has to do a biopsy of the rash that you are suffering. Because discoid lupus affects only the skin in form of a rash, this is the only proper way to diagnose lupus. The biopsy of the skin affected by lupus will show some abnormalities that otherwise will not be found in a type of skin that has not been affected by lupus. This type of lupus does not affect the internal organs. So a blood test will not be able to confirm if you have discoid lupus or not. Blood tests are used to detect another lupus type, the systematic lupus. There are lupus patients that will show a positive result in their blood test, even if they are suffering from discoid lupus. However, the levels of tiver in their blood will be very little. Although the discoid form of lupus only affects your skin, this lupus type can evolve and become the systemic type of lupus. This particular lupus type can affects almost all your internal organs. Systemic lupus can also atack your nervous system. Unfortunately, this change from discoid lupus to systemic lupus can not be prevented. Even if your treat your discoid type of lupus, you can to prevent it from developing into the systemic lupus type.
Many of the people that go on to have systemic lupus, probably suffered from this form of lupus from the beginning, and the discoid lupus was just one of the symptoms. Normally, there are not two people that suffer from systemic lupus and have the same symptoms. However, many of the lupus symptoms that they have can be similar. The third type of lupus, that induced by drugs, usually sets off after you use a certain drug. The signs of the drug induced type of lupus are very similar to the systemic lupus type. The drugs that are more related with lupus are those used for high blood pressure. Drugs that are used to treat an irregular heart beat are also thought to cause lupus.
Categories
- Allergy
- Anemia
- Back & Neck
- Cancer
- General
- Guest Post
- Insomnia
- Lupus
- Obesity
- Stroke & Neurological Conditions
- Surgery
- Therapeutic
- Uncategorized
- Unsorted
Archives
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009