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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
How to Treat Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
Firstly, systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that commonly occurs in women of childbearing age. It is an autoimmune disease that cannot be cured but can only be managed with medications to alleviate symptoms, delay complications, and control the progression of the disease. Once diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, it is necessary to score the disease activity to assess whether other organs are involved. The treatment of this disease primarily involves the use of corticosteroids, which should be calculated based on body weight. Initially, an adequate dose of corticosteroids should be administered. After stabilizing the disease for a month, the dosage should be reduced weekly. During the medication period, it is necessary to regularly monitor blood routine, liver and kidney function, complement levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. (Please take medication under the guidance of a professional physician and do not self-medicate.)
What to do if systemic lupus erythematosus causes a fever?
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who develop a fever first need to discern whether the fever is due to immune-related fever caused by the activity of the disease or an infectious fever due to weakened immunity from long-term use of steroids and immunosuppressants. If the fever is caused by lupus activity, then it is necessary to increase the dosage of corticosteroids in treatment. If the fever is due to an infection, a full course of anti-infection treatment is needed. The anti-infection regimen may even need to include treatments with antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral medications. (Please follow professional medical advice for medication use, and do not self-medicate.)
What should I do about hair loss from systemic lupus erythematosus?
First, systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease characterized by multi-organ and multi-systemic damage, a systemic autoimmune disorder. It cannot be completely cured, but its symptoms can be managed and the progression of the disease can be controlled through medication. The main clinical manifestations include facial rashes, photosensitivity, Raynaud's phenomenon, fever, hair loss, etc. Therefore, in the treatment process of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, if there is an increase in hair loss, or if other symptoms such as photosensitivity and hair loss occur, it may be considered that the disease is active or recurring. At this time, it is necessary to go to the hospital for comprehensive tests such as blood routine, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), complement levels, and autoimmune antibodies to assess the condition. If the disease is active or recurring, an adjustment in the dosage of the treatment medications may be necessary.
Can systemic lupus erythematosus be cured?
Systemic lupus erythematosus is difficult to cure completely as it is a chronic disease that requires long-term, lifelong medication. The most basic drugs used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus are corticosteroids. Hydroxychloroquine is also a basic treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus, but it is necessary to rule out contraindications such as retinal problems before use. Some patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, if they also have kidney or lung involvement, may need to consider treatment with immunosuppressants after using corticosteroids. Commonly used immunosuppressants include mycophenolate mofetil and cyclophosphamide. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a physician.)
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Clinical Manifestations
The clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus are diverse and variable. The primary symptoms involve the bones, joints, and muscles, with joint pain being a common presentation. The second major area affected is the skin and mucous membranes, where the most common symptoms are symmetrical butterfly-shaped erythema and discoid erythema on the face. Some patients experience kidney involvement, primarily presenting as significant proteinuria, hematuria, and cylindrical urine. Pulmonary involvement is also common in some patients, often manifesting as pleurisy. The digestive system can also be affected, typically presenting as abdominal pain. The hematological system is a very common site of involvement in lupus, mainly indicated by routine blood tests showing decreases in white blood cells and platelets.
Systemic lupus erythematosus symptoms
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease that affects the entire body system, so there are generally systemic symptoms. The most common symptoms are bone and joint pain, and muscle pain. Some patients may show symptoms related to the skin and mucous membranes, mainly presenting as butterfly-shaped erythema, discoid erythema, and oral mucosal ulcers. In severe cases, patients may experience problems with the visceral system, mainly affecting the kidneys, primarily presenting as significant proteinuria in routine urine tests. Additionally, severe cases may even present with neurological and psychiatric issues, mainly exhibiting restlessness, hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, and various forms of cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, and other conditions.
Can people with systemic lupus erythematosus drink alcohol?
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are advised not to drink alcohol as it can damage the gastric mucosa. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus often need to use corticosteroids for a long duration due to their condition, and prolonged use of corticosteroids can also harm the gastric mucosa. Therefore, drinking alcohol while using corticosteroids can easily lead to complications such as gastric ulcers, gastric bleeding, or even severe complications like hemorrhagic shock. Hence, it is recommended that lupus patients abstain from alcohol to protect their stomachs. By not consuming alcohol during corticosteroid treatment, the risk to the stomach can be significantly reduced.
Can systemic lupus erythematosus be cured?
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease and is chronic. The cause of the disease is mostly unclear, but studies have shown that it is related to genetics, environmental pollution, viral infections, hormone levels, and other factors. As an autoimmune disease, it cannot be completely cured. The main purpose of treatment is to control symptoms, delay the onset of complications, and improve the quality of life. The preferred treatment involves corticosteroids. The dosage should be adjusted according to the condition; after stabilizing, the dosage should gradually be reduced to a small maintenance dose. It is important to continue the medication even during maintenance therapy, as discontinuing the medication can lead to a recurrence of the disease. Additionally, chilling, fatigue, infection, and sun exposure can all trigger the activity of lupus, so it is important to be cautious in daily life. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)
Can people with systemic lupus erythematosus eat mutton?
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus should not eat lamb. This is because foods like lamb and dog meat are overly warming and nourishing, and they may trigger a relapse of the disease. Patients should also consume less of the foods that are photosensitive, such as celery, coriander, and mushrooms. Moreover, since lupus is an autoimmune disease and patients tend to have hypersensitive constitutions, they should also reduce their intake of seafood such as shrimp and crab. Additionally, patients should avoid certain warming and nourishing foods like longan. At the same time, they can supplement their diet with high-quality, low-protein foods like egg whites and fish.
Typical skin manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus
The most typical skin rashes of systemic lupus erythematosus are called butterfly rash and discoid rash. The so-called butterfly rash is a rash on both sides of the nostrils, resembling the wings of a butterfly, and the so-called discoid rash is a circular, disc-shaped rash on the facial area. At the same time, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus may also experience reticular purpura or vasculitic rashes like those of end-finger vasculitis, all of which are typical manifestations of skin rashes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.