Author’s Bio: Soofia L.Khan is an inspiring health science major. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing about health and nutritional topics.

What is lupus?

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that involves your immune system and can cause inflammation throughout your body. Your immune system is meant to fight off infections, but when you have lupus the immune system attacks your own body’s healthy tissues instead, thus causing the inflammation. Lupus affects at least five million people worldwide.

Types of Lupus

Lupus affects many different systems and parts of your body. Along with that, lupus isn’t just limited to one kind. There are many forms of it. They include:

Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)

Cutaneous lupus

Drug induced lupus

Neonatal lupus

What Causes Lupus?

As far as scientists are concerned, lupus isn’t contagious. The causes of it are not fully clear, but there are several factors that can play a role into it. Some include:
Genetics- People with a family history of lupus are more likely to get it. Lupus causing genes have also been identified.
Environmental- Scientists have been able to link some environmental factors including: stress, viruses, smoke, toxins, etc. to lupus.
Hormones- Unusual hormonal levels, especially estrogen, can result in lupus.
Medications- Medications such as procainamide, quinidine, and hydralazine have been connected to initiating a certain form of drug induced lupus.
Infections- Having certain infections can bring about some forms of lupus, or in some cases, cause a relapse of it.

Risk Factors

There are certain groups of people that are more prone to and at a higher risk of developing lupus than others. Some of these factors include:
Family History
Sex
Age
Race/Ethnicity

Symptoms of Lupus

Depending on which part of your body is being affected, the symptoms of lupus might vary. Here are some common ones:
Extreme fatigue
Joint pain or swelling
Headaches
Fever
Butterfly shaped rashes on cheeks and nose.
Rashes/lesions elsewhere on the body
Memory loss
Sun sensitivity
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Dry eyes
Hair loss

How is Lupus Diagnosed?

Rather than doing typical blood tests and studies, doctors simply take a person’s symptoms and family history into consideration if they suspect you have lupus. Through research, scientists and doctors have been able to discover that there are certain antibodies that are specific to lupus. In additions to asking about your symptoms and family history, doctors might also perform the following tests to be sure of your condition:

Blood tests and counts

Urinalysis

Kidney assessments

Imaging test(x-rays)

Tissue and skin biopsies

Treatments and Medications

At the moment there is no cure for lupus, but with the help of medications and adapting to lifestyle changes, people have been able to manage their symptoms. Treatments aim at decreasing bodily inflammation, relieving/preventing flares, and reducing organ damage. In severe cases, treatment can include various surgeries and transplants. Further management of the disease includes medications such as:

Antimalarial medications- Can help with lupus symptoms such as rashes, fatigue, and joint pain.

Benlysta– Is an antibody that blocks a certain protein that is key in immune response. It targets specific immune cells and can control the disease.

Corticosteroids- Weakens immune system and reduces swelling and pain.

Food to Help With Lupus

A balanced nutrition and lifestyle can go towards lessening inflammation and rashes for lupus. Some of the best foods to eat are foods high in omega-3s, such as: fish, shrimp, tuna, salmon, etc.
As well, foods that are high in calcium like dairy and beans, fruits, vegetables, granola, oats, and nuts are also very helpful. Some foods to avoid include: Alfalfa(stimulates immune system), alcohol, and foods high in cholesterol, salt, and saturated fats.

Coping with and Managing Lupus

There have been some mental health concerns about lupus and feelings associated with it such as fear, anxiety, or depression. Some ways to cope could be by joining support groups,or talking to mental health professionals or your loved ones about your concerns or problems. You can learn to control your symptoms and easily manage your lupus by doing many things. Some include: learning about your flares, reducing stress, visiting your doctor regularly, sleeping and exercising. By making small changes to your everyday life and finding ways to get things done in an easier and more manageable way is very important in learning to get your lupus under control.

Online Doctor Consultation for Lupus

If you or someone in your family have concerns about lupus, feel free to talk about it, and seek help from our doctors online. At Home Urgent Care provides telehealth services so you can safely and confidently keep your health in check with our primary and urgent care services and get treatment online Book an online doctor appointment today with our health care experts available at your convenience 365 days a year and get your prescription/medication available online.

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Call or Book your online Doctor Visit

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Talk to a doctor over the Phone/ Tablet

Step 3
If needed pick up your medication at the pharmacy

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