What foods are good for lupus erythematosus?

Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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The diet for patients with lupus erythematosus varies from person to person. Generally, the ideal food for lupus patients should have the following characteristics: an appropriate amount of high-quality protein, low fat, low salt, low sugar, and rich in vitamins and calcium. Since many lupus patients often have significant kidney damage, proteins are frequently lost in large amounts through the urine, causing hypoalbuminemia and edema. The supplementation of protein should primarily consist of high-quality animal proteins, such as milk, eggs, and lean meats. However, protein intake should also be appropriate and not excessive. Excessive intake can not only lead to incomplete absorption by the patient, increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, but also increase the excretion of nitrogenous compounds in the body, further burdening the kidneys. Lupus patients should avoid or minimize consumption of foods that can enhance photosensitivity, such as figs, rapeseed, cilantro, and celery. If consumed, they should avoid sun exposure afterwards. Mushrooms, smoked foods, and certain food dyes can also trigger lupus and should be avoided or minimized in the diet.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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Lupus is what disease?

Lupus erythematosus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus, is a chronic autoimmune disease involving multiple systems and organs. Patients' serum contains various autoantibodies, with the main pathological changes being inflammatory reactions and vascular abnormalities. Most patients exhibit butterfly-shaped erythema on the bridge of the nose and cheeks, which is the most characteristic manifestation of lupus erythematosus. The clinical presentations of systemic lupus erythematosus are diverse, generally characterized by the "four multiples": involvement of multiple systems, multiple organs, multiple autoantibodies, and a higher prevalence among women of childbearing age. Without proper and effective treatment, the mortality rate is high, with the main causes of death being infections, renal failure, and damage to the central nervous system.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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How is lupus treated?

The treatment of lupus erythematosus mainly involves the following aspects: Firstly, mild patients can be treated with antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, thalidomide, and low-dose corticosteroids; moderate active patients can receive individualized treatment with corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants may be used when necessary; for severe patients, corticosteroids are the preferred treatment, combined with immunosuppressants such as cyclophosphamide. Secondly, for lupus crisis patients, treatment can involve immunoglobulin, high-dose corticosteroid pulse therapy. Thirdly, biologics, such as anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, plasmapheresis, and autologous stem cell transplantation, are also used clinically. Medication for treating lupus erythematosus should be used under the guidance of a doctor, and self-medication should be avoided to prevent serious consequences.

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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Does lupus erythematosus transmit through living and eating together?

Lupus erythematosus is not contagious through sharing meals or living together. It is an autoimmune disease, not an infectious one, hence it cannot be transmitted to others by living or eating together. The exact mechanism of lupus is currently unclear, but it may be related to various factors such as sex hormones, genetics, infections, and physical and chemical factors, and it is more commonly seen in females. Clinically common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, oral ulcers, hair loss, etc. The clinical manifestations vary depending on the affected target organ. If lupus nephritis occurs, symptoms such as edema can appear. If the lungs are involved, it can promote pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, and in severe cases, patients may experience chest tightness, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties.

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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Do the rashes caused by lupus itch?

The erythema triggered by lupus erythematosus may or may not be itchy, varying from person to person, with each individual's condition not being entirely the same. The erythema caused by systemic lupus erythematosus also presents very differently clinically, with the typical manifestation being a butterfly-shaped erythema on the face. Other common forms include discoid erythema, reticular purpura, polymorphic rash, periungual erythema, and more. The specific pathogenic mechanism is currently unclear, and in some patients, the condition is caused by photosensitivity. After treatment, the erythema cannot completely disappear in a significant number of patients, leaving some pigment deposition. If only the skin is affected, treatment can involve the topical use of tacrolimus ointment or the oral intake of immunomodulators like hydroxychloroquine, and if necessary, oral corticosteroids may be administered.

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Lupus erythematosus taking steroids side effects

Patients with lupus mainly use steroid treatment, but steroids have many side effects during their application, such as increased blood pressure, inducing or exacerbating infections, inducing or aggravating peptic ulcers, necrosis of the femoral head, osteoporosis and vertebral compressive fractures, delaying wound healing in injured patients, increasing blood sugar, etc. Additionally, steroids can cause nervous sensitivity, agitation, insomnia, emotional changes, and even apparent mental symptoms, inducing seizures such as epilepsy. Some patients may also have suicidal tendencies. Therefore, it is necessary to use medication rationally under the guidance of a doctor, reduce the dosage timely, and effectively prevent and treat to minimize the occurrence of side effects. Taking steroids can also lead to weight gain; hair loss is relatively less common. The occurrence of side effects varies among individuals and should be tailored to the patient's specific condition.