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| | Title: | What is the treatment for Lupus? | | Article: |
The doctors that you may need to visit include:
Your family doctor
Rheumatologist, who treats arthritis
Nephrologists, who treat kidneys
Dermatologists, who treat skin diseases
Hematologists, who treats blood disorders
Immunologists, who treats immune disorders
Neurologists, who treats nervous system
The goals of the treatment include preventing flares,
treating flares, reducing organ damage, reducing
swelling and pain
Since nobody knows the precise cause of the Lupus,
nobody knows the ultimate cure. The treatment relieves
symptoms and decreases inflammation. Some patients
need only short courses of anti-inflammatory
medications. Others may need corticosteroids to
prevent organ damage and suppress own immune system.
Also important to have enough sleep to decrease
fatigue.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include
aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen and sulindac,
indomethacin, nabumetone, tolmetin and a lot of
others. The drugs may have many trade non-generic
names. These drugs help with muscle and joint pain,
and arthritis. To avoid stomach ulcers after use of
aspirin and similar drugs take them with milk,
antacids, or misoprostil (Cytotec). Too much aspirin
and NSAID may cause kidney problems. Acetaminophen
(Tylenol) can be used for pain. It gives less stomach
irritation, but it is not that effective. Tylenol may
also cause liver problem when overdosed.
Corticosteroids reduce inflammation better than
NSAIDs. However, corticosteroids have serious side
effects when used for a long time. They cause weight
gain, weak bones, infection, acne, easy bruising,
diabetes, facial puffiness, stomach ulcers, eye
cataracts and many others. The most common drug of
this type is Prednisone.
An anti-malarial medication hydroxychloroquine was
found effective for lupus patients with fatigue, skin
disorder, and joint pain. Hydroxychloroquine also
decrease risk of blood clots in veins and arteries.
Other antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine or
quinacrine are prescribed for skin disease Side
effects are occasional diarrhea or rashes. The drugs
may also affect your eyes. You should see your eye
doctor regularly. Other durgs, such as dapsone and
retinoic are effective for wart-like lupus.
More severe skin disease requires immunosuppressive
drugs. Medications that suppress immunity are also
cytotoxic drugs. Immunosuppressive medications are
required for patients with severe lupus and damage to
internal organs. Immunosuppressive medications include
methotrexate , azathioprine, cyclophosphamide,
chlorambucil, and cyclosporine. All immunosuppressive
medications depress blood cell produciton and increase
risks of infection and dangerous bleeding. They may
also have liver and kidney toxicity and cause cancer
later in life.
To prevent blood from clotting low dose of aspirin and
heparin or coumadin could be used. This protects
against embolus or thrombosis.
Soon doctors may receive drugs that block production
of antibodies against DNA or suppress the antibodies
through other mechanisms. These drugs are under
investigation at present time. An example is
monoclonal antibodies.
Apheresis (blood filtering) and plasmapheresis are
sometimes used to remove antibodies to suppress
immunity. Plasmapheresis also removes cryoglobulins
that can lead to vasculitis. Other treatments included
use of male hormones. If kidney fail from SLE,
dialysis or a kidney transplant may be required.
Other tips: Avoid excessive sun exposure, use sun
screens, exercise regularly to prevent muscle
weakness, get vaccine against specific infections.
Avoid smoking, alcohol, get regular medical checkups.
Use well-balanced diet. Fad diets may affect immune
system. Family and friends help to decrease stress.
Treatment depends on specific needs of each patient.
Thorough medical evaluation and supervision are
essential for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Regular monitoring of the lab tests is valuable
changes in blood tests may indicate the flares even
before a patient develops symptoms. The earlier the
flare caught the easier it is to control | | Author: | Aleksandr Kavokin, MD, PhD | | System: | Skin | | Subject: | Lupus | | Abstract: | Since nobody knows the precise cause of the Lupus,
nobody knows the ultimate cure. The treatment relieves
symptoms and decreases inflammation. | | Website: | www.kavokin.com | | Time: | 22:16 | | Reference: | rdoctor.com | | Reference 2: | |
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©2006 Kavokin.com
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Articles by Aleksandr Kavokin, MD, PhD
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