Lupus is a chronic disease that causes inflammation in the joints, kidneys, skin, heart, lungs and blood cells. Lupus is an autoimmune disease – in other words, it is caused by the body's immune system attacking healthy cells, tissues, and organs. Lupus is still not fully understood – the exact cause is unknown, although genetics is thought to be a factor. There is still no cure for lupus. However, several treatment options exist. When used effectively, these treatments usually allow people with lupus to live as long and with the same quality as non-sufferers.
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Method 1 of 4: Treating Lupus with Medication
Step 1. Use a store-bought anti-inflammatory
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen sodium, acetaminophen, or aspirin can help reduce pain and inflammation from mild lupus symptoms. As an added benefit, this drug can also relieve other lupus symptoms, such as fever and arthritis pain. While this medication is a cheap and easy temporary solution for lupus flare-ups, it should not be used as a permanent "fix," because long-term and/or high-dose NSAID use can cause stomach and kidney damage.. ''Make sure''' consult a doctor before starting this mild treatment option, as some NSAIDs (especially ibuprofen) have been linked to life-threatening infections such as meningitis in people with lupus.
Step 2. Use a corticosteroid medication
Drugs such as prednisone and cortisone come from the versatile family of drugs with varying effects and uses called corticosterones. Corticosteroids are designed to mimic the body's natural hormone, cortisol, which has anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing properties. In the case of lupus, these steroids are usually prescribed to fight the painful inflammation that can accompany the lupus autoimmune response and also reduce the activity of the immune system itself. Be aware that this stereoid class is “not” the same as the stereoid class used by athletes.
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Often, corticosteroids are prescribed with other drugs, because they have long-term side effects. These side effects include:
- Weight gain
- Easy bruising
- Vulnerable to infection
- High blood pressure
- Thin bones
- Diabetes
Step 3. Use anti-malarial drugs
Some drugs that are primarily prescribed for malaria, such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, are also useful for relieving some of the symptoms of lupus, such as skin rashes, joint pain, and mouth ulcers. Some anti-malarial drugs can also help reduce fatigue and malaise. This drug is very useful because it can help reduce the need for other drugs, such as corticosteroids, which can have more serious side effects and/or are addictive. Like corticosteroids, antimalarial drugs treat lupus primarily by reducing inflammation.
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Anti-malarial drugs can have some mild side effects, including:
- Nauseous
- Dizzy
- Indigestion
- Itchy rash
- Stomach irritation
- In very rare cases, anti-malarial drugs can also cause damage to the retina of the eye.
Step 4. Use immunosuppressive medication
Immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, belimubab, and others reduce the function of the body's immune system. Since an overactive immune system is a major cause of lupus, this drug can be very useful for reducing lupus symptoms, especially in severe cases where other treatment options are ineffective. However, since the immune system also plays a role in protecting the body from infection, caution should be exercised when using immunosuppressive drugs, as they reduce your natural ability to avoid disease.
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Other side effects of immunosuppression include:
- Heart damage
- Decreased fertility
- High cancer risk
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Belimubab, a relatively new immunosuppressive drug, does not have some of the side effects mentioned above, such as kidney damage and decreased fertility, making it the preferred choice for people with lupus. However, it has some unique side effects, including:
- Nausea/indigestion
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Foot or hand pain
Step 5. Use intravenous immunoglobin (IVG)
Immunoglobin is the term for the body's natural antibodies, which, under normal conditions, help fight disease and infection. In IVG therapy, antibodies are separated from other people's donated blood, then injected into your body through a vein. IVG can boost a person's immune function without increasing the autoimmune response that causes lupus symptoms, making it a perfect option for people who are prescribed immunosuppressive drugs. IVG is also prescribed for people who have low platelets due to lupus. However, the process of delivering IVG is still time-consuming and expensive, so it is usually not prescribed except in serious cases.
Step 6. Use anticoagulants to prevent blood clots
People with lupus are more likely to suffer from blood clots than other people. If a blood clot occurs in a deep vein, heart, or brain, it can cause life-threatening conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, heart attack, or stroke. About a third of people with lupus have antibodies that attack a type of molecule found in the body called phospholipids – this can lead to those dangerous blood clots.. Anticoagulants are blood thinners that reduce the risk of blood clots, so they are sometimes prescribed in people with lupus who have this type of antibody.
The most serious side effects of blood thinners are increased susceptibility to bleeding and skin gangrene
Step 7. Consider stronger pain relievers
Sometimes, in more severe cases of lupus, the pain becomes too great for anti-inflammatory treatments to handle. In these cases, strong pain relievers, usually opiates such as oxycodone, may be prescribed. Opiates are habit-forming and carry a high risk of addiction. However, because lupus is incurable, opiate addiction is usually not a concern, because sufferers can use opiates throughout their lives.
Method 2 of 4: Treating Lupus with a Lifestyle
Step 1. Avoid excessive sun exposure
Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can trigger lupus flare-ups. Therefore, it is very important in the morning for people with lupus to avoid situations that cause sunburn. Try to avoid the sun on hot days. If you go out, try to wear long sleeves and a hat. Also, buy a high SPF sunscreen to protect your skin if you have to spend time in the sun.
Step 2. Avoid certain types of medication
Some common medications can make lupus symptoms worse. This drug should be avoided by people with lupus, but if it "must" be used, see a doctor to discuss other possible ways or additional medications that can minimize the adverse effects of this problematic drug. Some drugs that have negative interactions with lupus are:
- Sulfa-containing antibiotics (sulfonamides)
- Hydralazine
- Procainamide
- Mynocycline
- Supplements containing alfalfa
Step 3. Take good care of yourself
While healthy living habits won't cure lupus, living as healthy as possible can help relieve your symptoms and allow you to fight lupus with all your body's energy. Lupus patients who live healthy lives have the best chances of having a fulfilling life with minimal symptoms. Below are some ways to make sure you live as happy and healthy as possible while battling lupus:
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Get enough rest. Fatigue is a common symptom of lupus, making adequate rest important for optimal health. Get enough sleep each day and take a nap if necessary.
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Remember to exercise regularly. Physical exercise improves your overall health, helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (which is a serious concern for people with lupus) as well as depression. Rest when needed – don't let an exercise program exacerbate the fatigue that lupus causes.
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Do not smoke. Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is already a major risk for people with lupus. Smoking damages the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, exacerbating the effects of lupus in these areas.
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Eat nutritious food. Eat a low-fat, healthy diet rich in vegetables, lean protein, and healthy carbohydrates. Avoid foods that seem to make your symptoms worse. While there is no evidence that certain foods make lupus worse, since one of the symptoms is intestinal problems, you may need to adjust your diet to avoid foods that make these symptoms worse.
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Step 4. Build a support network
One effect of lupus that is often overlooked is that it can cause serious depression. Lupus patients sometimes suffer from chronic pain that can sometimes be very severe and even debilitating. Combined with the fact that people with lupus usually need to stay out of the sun, this can cause people with this disease to have mood swings, corners, and depression. In addition to a healthy lifestyle, it is very important to depend on your friends, family and loved ones for support as you learn to live with this disease. The emotional benefits of a supportive circle of people who can listen to your concerns and fears are invaluable.
Talk openly about your condition with people you care about. Symptoms of lupus are not obvious, although a little painful. Let your support network know when you're feeling good and bad so they can be there for you when you need them and make room for them when you're not
Method 3 of 4: Treating Lupus with Medical Procedures
Step 1. Receive a kidney transplant in the event of kidney failure
The autoimmune response caused by lupus can cause the body's immune system to fight and damage the structures in the kidneys that bind blood called glomeruli. About 90% of people with lupus will have some form of kidney damage. However, only about 2-3% will have kidney damage so severe that a transplant is needed.
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In these cases, severe kidney damage can take the form of these symptoms:
- Dark pee
- Liquid storage
- Back/side pain
- High blood pressure
- Swelling around the eyes/hands
Step 2. Perform a splenectomy to combat the low platelets
For some patients, lupus can cause a condition called thrombocytopenia due to low levels of platelets, the cells in the bloodstream that are responsible for the body's ability to repair itself. In these cases, removing the spleen in a procedure called a splenectomy can help the patient's platelet levels return to normal. Unlike other organs, the spleen cannot grow back once it is removed, so even a partial splenectomy should be considered before deciding to have surgery.
Step 3. Get a hip replacement if you develop avascular necrosis
Sometimes, as a result of lupus or certain medications used to "treat" lupus, blood flow to the hip bones may decrease or even stop. This can lead to a condition called avascular necrosis in which bone cells begin to die, causing the bone to weaken and rot. This condition is so rare but serious that, if left untreated, it can cause fractures, reduced hip function, and severe pain. In cases of avascular necrosis, it may be necessary to receive an artificial hip transplant, which usually results in improved function and reduced pain over the long term.
Other options for treating avascular necrosis include the use of a bone graft to support bone growth and the removal of some bone marrow cells to increase blood flow
Method 4 of 4: Treating Lupus with Herbal Medicine
Step 1. Herbs are a potent source of antioxidants and are effective as immune modulators
Scientific research on many herbs has established their immunosuppressant and immunostimulating actions. Herbal supplements can reverse the imbalance in the immune system, which is a major pathological feature in lupus. The following Ayurvedic herbs are believed to nourish, restore, and build body tissues.
- Basant (Hypericum mysorense),
- St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
- Amla (Emblica officinalis)
- Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
- Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris),
- Bala (Sida cordifolia)
- Vidang (Embelia ribes)
- Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)
- Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Tips
- Do not smoke; this will worsen the symptoms of lupus.
- Avoid the sun as much as possible and use sunscreen when outdoors.
Warning
- Over-the-counter medications have side effects such as stomach irritation or bleeding.
- Immunosuppressive drugs should only be used under a doctor's supervision because they can have serious consequences.
- Anticoagulants should be used under supervision because thin blood can cause complications.
- Corticosteroids can cause serious side effects so your doctor will slowly reduce your dose once you start responding to the treatment.
- Long-term use of corticosteroids can cause osteoporosis, increased risk of infection and bone necrosis.
