What should be noted for systemic lupus erythematosus?

Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
Updated on November 06, 2024
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Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease and a chronic disease that damages multiple systems. It cannot be cured, only controlled by medication to manage symptoms, delay complications, and reduce mortality; these are the primary treatment goals. Therefore, during treatment, several aspects must be carefully considered: First, avoid prolonged sun exposure, chemical irritants, being overly cold or fatigued, as these can trigger the condition. Women should also avoid taking oral contraceptives. Second, do not be misled by advertisements and promotions; always seek treatment in reputable hospitals to prevent complications. Third, during treatment, always keep in contact with your attending physician. Do not adjust or reduce your medication on your own, as this can exacerbate the disease and greatly increase the risk of relapse.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Can people with systemic lupus erythematosus eat black fungus?

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple systems and organs. It cannot be cured and can only be managed through medications to control the progression of the disease and delay complications. It commonly occurs in women of childbearing age. In the early stages, when no other organs are damaged, there are no special dietary restrictions and black fungus can be eaten. However, fruits such as figs and bayberries, which are exposed to ultraviolet light for a long period, should be avoided. If the disease affects the kidneys causing damage such as proteinuria and increased creatinine, a diet low in salt, fat, and restricted in high-quality protein is necessary. High-quality protein mainly refers to lean meats and pure milk, and consumption of black fungus should be moderated.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Can systemic lupus erythematosus be cured?

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a multi-system autoimmune disease and a chronic condition with an unclear cause, making it incurable. Treatment primarily involves medication to control the progression of the disease, prevent relapse, and delay the onset of complications in other organs. The comprehensive goal of treatment is to manage these aspects. Additionally, exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided, and women should avoid oral contraceptives, as these can trigger active lupus. Furthermore, it's crucial to avoid consuming figs, bayberries, and other fruits that have been exposed to ultraviolet light over a long period, as they can also induce lupus activity.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Is systemic lupus erythematosus serious?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can vary in severity. The main criterion for determining whether it is mild or severe is to check whether SLE has involved important visceral organs, such as the lungs, the heart, and most commonly, the kidneys, as well as the most severe form, neuropsychiatric lupus. If a patient shows involvement of the aforementioned visceral systems, then lupus is considered to be relatively severe, and may sometimes even threaten the patient’s life. However, if lupus does not involve the visceral systems, it is considered to be mild.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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Systemic lupus erythematosus symptoms

The symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus mainly include fever, oral ulcers, facial erythema, including discoid and malar rash, photosensitivity, joint pain, polyserositis, including pleural effusion and pericardial effusion, as well as kidney involvement. The main manifestations are positive urinary protein, hematuria, and casts in the urine. Severe cases may have neurological involvement, presenting as epilepsy, mental disorders, or altered consciousness. Blood tests in these patients can further reveal positive ANA, anti-double-stranded DNA, and anti-Sm antibodies, as well as low complement levels. These are the related symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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What is the best food to eat for systemic lupus erythematosus?

Firstly, systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple systems and organs and cannot be cured. It can only be managed through medications to control the progression of the disease and delay the onset of complications. Therefore, it's not about what food is good for lupus, but rather about managing any complications it may have. Some foods to avoid include tomatoes, bayberries, figs, celery, bananas, as well as other fruits and vegetables that have been exposed to prolonged sunlight. The general principle is to adopt a low-salt, low-fat diet while increasing the intake of high-quality proteins, primarily lean meats and pure milk, to boost resistance and immunity.