Living with Lupus: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Updated: Jun 8
Millions of people throughout the world suffer from the chronic autoimmune disease -Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), better known as Lupus. Lupus like other autoimmune diseases occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues in the body, failing to recognize them as “safe”.
This causes excess and inappropriate inflammation and results in damaging tissues and organs. For the disease to be managed and to optimize the quality of life for individuals who are living with lupus, learning about its symptoms, causes, and available treatments is essential.
Symptoms of Lupus
Lupus is a disorder whose symptoms vary from person to person. The most typical signs and symptoms include:
fatigue
fever
rashes
skin discomfort
joint pain
swelling
Hair loss, mouth sores, and kidney issues can also occur.
Managing flares is one of the most difficult aspects of having lupus. Lupus flares describe when the condition is more active and symptomatic. To minimize the impact of flares, lupus patients are sometimes able to identify particular triggers that may result in a flare. Some common triggers include infections (even a cold or flu), allergies, sleep disruption, a stressful event, or increased sun exposure.
Causes of Lupus
Lupus has no exact cause, although researchers believe it is caused by a combination of inherited and environmental factors. Lupus affects more women than men and is more prevalent in Black, Asian, and Native American populations.
Certain triggers, such as infections, stress, and exposure to sunlight, may increase the risk of developing lupus similar to how they can also trigger flares.
Treatment Options for Lupus
There is currently no known cure for lupus. There are, however, a number of treatment options available to assist manage its symptoms and limit the frequency of flares. Most often a combination of both medications and lifestyle changes are used in the treatment of lupus.
Medications
If you have lupus, it's vital to be aware that there are medications out there that can help you manage your symptoms and reduce flare-ups. NSAIDs, antimalarial medicines (hydroxychloroquine), corticosteroids, and other immunosuppressants are a few of the treatments frequently used for lupus. To find out which medication and dose are best for your unique situation, you must speak with a healthcare professional.
Lifestyle changes
Incorporating healthy lifestyle adjustments like getting regular exercise, eating balanced meals, and avoiding triggers like sun exposure and stress can help control lupus symptoms and lower the likelihood of flares.
Healthcare Support
For those battling lupus, it is crucial to maintain a close relationship with their healthcare provider in order to craft a personalized treatment regimen that caters to their unique needs and daily routines. With the guidance and expertise of their medical team, lupus warriors can work to identify the most effective therapies and lifestyle adjustments that will help manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Living with lupus can be challenging, as the symptoms can vary widely from person to person and may change over time. That's why it's so important to work closely with a healthcare provider who specializes in treating this condition. By taking a collaborative approach to treatment, patients can ensure that they are receiving the most up-to-date and effective care for their particular situation.
Aila Health offers a variety of tools and services to help patients manage their conditions and improve their overall health and well-being. One way that Aila Health can help lupus patients is by providing access to a team of healthcare professionals, including doctors and health coaches, who specialize in the treatment of autoimmune conditions. These professionals can work with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that address their specific symptoms and needs.
Download the Aila Health app now and start tracking your symptoms, get insights on your flare-ups, join a community of autoimmune warriors, and connect with a healthcare coach.