Healing from lupus

How to Make Ginger Water to Treat Migraines, Heart Burn, Joint and Muscle Pain

2017-02-19T09:56:00.000-08:00

Everybody has heard of ginger, however did you know that this culinary spice has been used by Asians for centuries in the remedy of a couple of health conditions?!
In fact ginger is a average herb that is given a well known place in old Indian, center jap and chinese language literature for potent curative properties.

This herb is full of the following minerals and vitamins:

Potassium, which enable to enhance your cardiovascular condition.
Manganese, which boosts your immune device and allow with blood circulation.
Silicon, which enable to enhance your pores and skin, enamel, nails and hair.
Beta-carotene, for good eyesight.
Phosphorus, enable with your immunity.
Zinc, great for your blood.
Sodium
Calcium, for strong enamel and bones.
Iron, great for your blood.

nutrition A, B complicated, C and E

Numerous studies have been carried out and are still being carried out on the significance of ginger and gingerol which is an extract from the herb.
This extract is known to be effective in the reduction of irritation of the joints,which is great for patients of gout, arthritis and rheumatism.
Gingerol is a very strong anti inflammatory point from ginger that is effective additionally in the cure of migraines, nerve and muscle aches and pains.
Here is a recipe you can comprehend it out today

Ingredients
• Ginger root brand new( -- 1 to two inches
• fowl lemon -- 1/2
• blank consuming water -- three cups
• natural herbal honey -- two tablespoons

Preparation
• The first thing you need to do is to finely grate your ginger root in a container.
• subsequent you need to add your fowl lemon and two to three cups of blank ingesting water.
• After this, add your natural herbal honey and blend well.
• You need to then pressure the combination and consume the drink for the entire day.

By so doing you will notice significant enhancements in the irritation of your joints and additionally with your muscle pains and migraines.

Lupus disease causes the Early menopause

2016-03-08T19:22:00.001-08:00

Early menopause occurs most often in women who are 30 to 40 years of age. It may occur in women younger than that with underlying causes. It very important that if you are suffering the signs of early menopause that you consult a doctor to rule out anything else that may be happening or a consequence of other health conditions. This is especially important if you have lupus and are experiencing signs of early menopause.

Lupus Symptoms

There are a few types of lupus including Discoid Lupus and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Discoid Lupus most often affects the skin. It will present as a red rash that could have raised edges. It commonly occurs on the face and scalp. The rash is not itchy but scarring on the scalp can cause irreversible hair loss. Up to approximately 10% of those who have Discoid Lupus will develop Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

The most common complaints of those who suffer with systemic lupus erythematosus include fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle pain, arthritis and mouth/ nose ulcerations.

A facial rash (butterfly rash), photosensitivity and inflammation of the lining that surrounds the heart-pleuritis and the heart-pericarditis are also symptoms of lupus. Problems with circulation to the fingers and toes when it is really cold are also called Raynaud's phenomenon. Inflammation of the brain, liver, and kidneys also occur in SLE. There may be a decrease in white blood cells and clotting factors. This increases the risk of infections and bleeding.

More than 50% of those with SLE will develop the flat red butterfly rash. Most SLE sufferers will develop a type of arthritis that is very similar to rheumatoid arthritis. The small joints of the hands, the wrists, and feet may swell, become painful, stiff and sometimes deformed. Inflammation of the blood vessels especially those that supply oxygen to tissues can cause nerve injury, injury to the skin, or injury to an internal organ.

These are some of the major and most common symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus. Within each symptom is a set of sub-symptoms that result from the main symptoms. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can be very treatable. It may also cause death depending on which body organs are affected.

The diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus is determined if a patient has four or more of eleven criteria. They are: malar-butterfly rash, discoid rash with patchy redness, photosensitivity (sensitivity to light), mucus membrane ulcers, arthritis, pleuritis and pericaridits-inflammations of the linings of the heart lungs along with pain when breathing, kidney abnormalities including an abnormal quantity of urine protein or clusters of cellular elements (casts), brain irritation, blood count abnormalities, immunological disorders-abnormal results of such tests as Anti-DNA, or anti-Sm, testing positive for antinuclear antibody.

Other tests could include a Sedimentation Rate, blood chemistry and evaluation of body fluids, as well as tissue biopsies. SLE can also cause one to enter early menopause

Treatments of systemic lupus erythematosus include get more rest during the active phases of the disease. Inadequate sleep is key in the progression of fatigue in SLE patients. A doctor must focus on poor sleep and the effects of depression, insufficient exercise and patient's personal care coping abilities on their over-all health. Drugs that are used to relieve symptoms of SLE include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that help muscle, joint and other body tissue pain.

Corticosteroids are stronger in lessening inflammation and restoring the ability to function when SLE is active and they are helpful when internal organs are involved. They can be delivered in a number of forms but they have some serious side effects in long-term use at high doses. Thinning skin and bones, weight gain, infections, diabetes, facial puffiness, cataracts and even death (necrosis) of large joints are also possible. There is a wide variety of types of drugs used to treat mild to severe cases of SLE.

Symptoms of Early Menopause

Lupus and early menopause have some common symptoms. Sleep problems, heart palpitations, headaches and hot flashes that can occur in lupus and the patient not are menopausal. Irregular periods and bleeding are classic signs of beginning menopause. If you are a woman with lupus menstruation can continue but as has been mentioned become irregular and cease altogether catapulting you into early menopause. Other symptoms of it include appetite changes, weight gain, body aches, and mood swings all of which can also occur in lupus.

Early menopause in lupus can occur as a result of the disease itself. It can also be a result of the medications used to treat lupus. It can also be a result of heredity as opposed the disease or treatments of the disease.

Treatment of these symptoms can be HRT- hormone replacement therapy, anti-depressants, and anti-inflammatories. These treatments can have some very serious side effects such as increased risk for heart attack and some cancers. Most women seek to avoid these side effects and turn to natural treatments such as herbal supplementation.

Herbal supplements may also include vitamins such as B-complex and C vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and zinc. In order to get the highest quality supplement there should be no fillers or preservatives. The ingredients will have had the molecular path tested at the molecular level and their interactions evaluated as well. Only standardized herbal extracts are used and they are made to meet pharmaceutical grade standards. This all helps to guarantee top quality and consistent dosing from capsule to capsule.

Conclusion

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can attack the skin discoid lupus erythematosus and systemic lupus erythematosus that affects the joints and internal organs. It is a connective tissue disease. Either the disease itself or the medications that are used to treat lupus can put a woman into early menopause. A doctor's examination will help to determine the best course of treatment

Coping With Lupus And Its Effects

2016-03-08T18:42:00.001-08:00

Lupus isn't an infectious disorder. A single person is unable to obtain it via someone who has it, and no precautions need to be taken while being close to an individual who has lupus disease.

The common condition, Lupus, is a major re-occurring disorder recognized due to discomfort in numerous areas of the body. This fits in the category of disorders which includes rheumatism, multiple sclerosis, child diabetes, and also scleroderma.

The most typical kind of lupus is actually systemic lupus erythematosus. It is believed that lupus impacts one out of two thousand individuals, therefore there are actually millions of people globally which are suffering from SLE. Systemic lupus is often a complicated and often confusing ailment which could affect just about any cell structure and potentially an organ within the human body, among them the epidermis, muscle tissue, all bodily joints, blood as well as bloodstream, the lungs, cardiovascular, renal system and also the brain. There are additional forms of lupus that primarily impact the epidermis. Some people acquire drug-induced lupus in reaction to various medicines for the treatment of other disorders. Most of these signs and symptoms vanish once the individual ceases using the prescription medication.

Among 10% of instances, a number of prescription medications, including the ones utilized for abnormal heart-beat as well as hypertension, can result in signs and symptoms of SLE. (These indicators generally disappear once the prescription medication is ceased.) This particular result happens to be observed frequently around older individuals and this is normally known as drug-induced lupus. Within the additional 90% involving SLE examples along with just about all cases of DLE, the reason and/or factors behind the condition aren't particularly known.

Despite the fact that previous research involving lupus indicate that it's an autoimmune condition, the results offers very few answers for the many questions behind lupus. The explanation is the fact that the sources of immune system conditions are not adequately comprehended. However, there exists some information in regards to what medical professionals suspect what takes place during the growth of lupus.

Genetics has been suspected to be a reason, despite the fact that it is unknown exactly what part it plays. Many experts have confirmed that an individual that has a close family member which possesses SLE can be somewhat more probable to suffer from the condition (approximately 10%) compared to an individual which doesn't. This probability greatly improves in the event that an individual is the sibling of an identical twin that has SLE. SLE's increased occurrence within many ethnic peoples furthermore indicates that genetics plays a part. Nevertheless, virtually no gene (genetic aspect) has recently been particularly connected to the actual generation regarding lupus.

The very fact which females tend to be more probable to acquire lupus compared to males indicates that bodily hormones can also be related to this particular condition.

A number of environmental impacts are suspected to be an important factor with the oncoming of lupus. It's thought that autoimmune tendencies in certain people could possibly be induced through harmful bacteria, viruses, severe emotional stress, direct sunlight, specific medications, and even food chemicals. However, not every single person will get lupus given that they have been infected with a certain virus, stressed out, from prescription medication, or perhaps consumed a particular type of food. ( See more : 10 Foods Lupus Sufferers Should Avoid )

The specific antibodies active in the autoimmune response are known as "auto-antibodies." These are considered to respond exclusively with the help of specific chemical ingredients within the tissues located in the body, generating inflamed joints as well as harm to internal organs.

The particular indicators and symptoms of lupus range significantly in various people, within many areas of one's body as well as the level of intensity. Typically the discomforts can also appear and disappear, and can even disappear altogether for extended periods of time. Despite the fact that lupus develops considerably more regularly in females compared to males, the implications in men are comparable to those amongst females.

B. Brown, N.R.

A Lupus Diet - Eliminate Lupus With Nutritional Healing

2015-06-04T19:55:00.000-07:00

Lupus and Digestion

When dealing with an anti-inflammatory disease such as lupus, it is extremely important you use your first line of defence, the nutrients from food, to support your body's ability to avoid flares and promote healing. Although doctors say that there is no lupus cure, it simply isn't the case. Not only have I completely healed (and tested negative) for lupus, others have as well. The best news is that many of us healed in different ways, one of which is through a lupus diet.

As with many auto immune and degenerative issues, lupus can compromise the digestive tract, making it essential the nutrients you are eating are being absorbed. It is also necessary to determine if you have any food sensitivities and allergies, that will also affect how well you digest your food, if your body reacts to it and therefore how you feel.

Although not often publicized, the best diet for lupus and healing is ultimately the best diet for everyone as it is derived from the unparalleled nutrition offered from fresh fruits, vegetables and whole foods while avoiding far too common processed, fatty, refined foods so abundant in our food stores. The simple reason this type of diet is so helpful is because it is, by nature, an anti-inflammatory diet. The best diet for Lupus includes simple, freshly prepared natural raw foods while eliminating fast processed foods and the 4 'white foods' including sugar, salt, flour and carbohydrates.

Lupus patients are also well advised to be careful when consuming nightshade vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and pepper in addition to alfalfa as these have been linked to trigger flares. It is important to note, however that people have different dietary needs and don't react the same to foods, so what may trigger one patient may not be a food trigger for another.

Say good-bye to fatty foods!

Fatty foods are essentially inflammatory. It is for that reason they should be completely avoided, at least while you are in the healing process and working to eliminate lupus and experience a lupus cure. It is far better to allow your body to heal and regain a properly functioning immune system and then slowly introduce a few favourite foods back, (while looking forward to regaining your health and vibrancy).

In addition to being inflammatory, fatty foods also cause what is known as 'thick blood' which lowers the body's oxygen supply to the cells and tissues in your body. Not only can this cause tissue damage, which promote auto-antibodies (the last thing your body needs, as it causes an inflammatory response) but also significantly dampens your energy levels. Chronic fatigue is one of the primary issues dealing with lupus, so please heed this caution in particular for your dietary practices.

Nutritional Healing for Lupus A low-fat, whole food, plant based diet is the diet of choice if you have lupus, or any disease concerning inflammation (which most disease do!). Not only will it decrease your joint pain, reduce strain on the kidneys, spleen and other organs, it will also lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart attack. Another added benefit is it will also support weight loss, which many lupus sufferers write to me about, as a consequence of steroid side effects.

Most importantly, this diet will reduce the number of antigen-autobodies in your body, a primary factor that causes lupus flares. Many people are now aware of the great health benefits derived from Omega 3. The primary benefit concerns the fact that these essential fatty acids act as an anti-inflammatory, exactly what we need if we have lupus. Therefore, with reduced inflammation comes reduced pain and increased mobility.

Because our common food intake doesn't provide enough of these healthy fats, it is extremely wise (especially if you have lupus) to supplement with them. Flaxseed oil is a popular source of Omega 3, however recently there is evidence that your best source of omega 3 comes from fish oil, in particular krill oil. Of course, eating a diet rich with Omega 3 is important, and the most common source of EFA's is from salmon, and other cold-water fish such as tuna. Other sources include avocados, spinach, and mustard greens.

There are a lot more lupus diet do's and don'ts you should be cognizant of, including the debate on protein (including soy protein and lupus), and which nutrients are destroyed through various drugs you may be prescribed. These dietary issues are typically not discussed by your doctor and if you would like more information please visit the site listed below. What you eat matters! (If it matters when we're not ill, think of how much more important it is for when you are!). Remember, lupus can and has been healed and you have every reason to believe it can work for you too (or at minimum, significantly reduce lupus symptoms). Despite doctors claiming there is no Lupus cure, for those of us who no longer have it, we beg to differ.

Wishing you and your loved one's the very best, especially in good health and lupus-free!

By Stacey Becker

How Lupus Is Diagnosed

2015-05-20T03:00:00.000-07:00

General Symptoms Present In Lupus - Skin rashes are extremely common in people who are suffering from lupus. A "butterfly" rash can typically occur on the face, and it can be visually distressing for the person with lupus. It can also be exacerbated from sun exposure. A large majority of people with lupus also report having ulcerations in their mouths. Joint pain is one of the initial indicators of lupus; a formerly active and healthy individual having developed joint pain and malaise a possible pointer towards having lupus.

Photosensitivity, where the skin can blister from sun exposure, is also experienced in people with lupus. Fever and headaches and reporting of migraines can be an ongoing occurrence as a result of having lupus. Inflammation of various organs such as the lungs can become life threatening if not treated. Alopecia - hair loss - can be caused as a result of lupus.

People who have lupus can occasionally expeience what is known as Raynaud's phenomenon - blood flow is restricted to the fingers - causing numbness and cold; then there is a sudden rush of hot blood to the fingers causing extreme pain.

Insomnia can be a result of having lupus, and also a lot of patients with lupus report having depression. Lupus can also cause problems such as inflamed kidneys, and a subsequent impairment in kidney function, leading to the retaining of toxins in the body. This can cause the appearance of blood in the urine, swelling of the feet and ankles and dysuria. SLE can also cause the enlargement of glands. The possible multi-system effects of lupus are:

Disorders Within The Body Caused By Lupus

    Endocrine disorders: thyroid problems, glucose intolerance
    Respiratory disorders: pleurisy, pneumonitis, interstitial fibrosis
    Gastrointestinal disorders: lack of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea
    Musculoskeletal disorders: arthritis type symptoms, joint swelling, morning stiffness
    Sensory issues: conjunctivitis, photophobia, retinal vasculitis with transient blindness, cotton-wool spots on retina
    Neurological: seizures, depression, psychosis, neuropathies, potential complications including stroke, organic brain syndrome - memory loss, intellectual impairment, personality changes, disorientation
    Cardiovascular disorders: pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis, vasculitis, venous or arterial thrombosis
    Blood system: anemia, leukopenia
    Reproductive system disorders: fetal loss, pregnancy induced hypertension, edema
    Metabolic processes: low grade fever, malaise, unexplained weight loss
    Other symptoms include potential skin disorders and kidney disorders.

Clinical Diagnosis of Lupus

The diagnostic process of lupus is complex, as the condition involves multiple affected systems. A diagnosis is made upon a patient's personal clinical history, physical assessment and diagnostic tests.

These diagnostic tests include:

Anti-DNA antibody testing - this can provide the most accurate diagnosis of the disease (it was found to be highly accurate in one study); however it indicates any form of connective tissue disease. What distinguishes a SLE diagnosis is the presence of other clinical manifestations of SLE. When a patient has two or more clinical manifestations of SLE, and elevated Anti-DNA antibodies, a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus is confirmed.

Other laboratory indicators can be tested, and these include:

ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) is typically elevated - this test has been used for many years to indicate inflammation is present within the body. It is a simple and straightforward test.

Serum complement levels - these are done to measure the activity of certain proteins moving throughout the blood, and indicate inflammatory processes that are associated with the immune system.

CBC (complete blood cell count) abnormalities include moderate to severe anemia, leukopenia and lymphocytopenia and possible thrombocytopenia if there is lupus present.

Urinalysis shows mild proteinuria, hematuria, and blood cell casts during exacerbation of the disease when the kidneys are involved. Renal function tests include serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen is also evaluated.

Kidney biopsies may be performed to determine the extent of possible lesions.

A rarer subtype of lupus, that co-exists with lupus is Bullous Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - it is a disease where autoantibodies attack the subdermal layer of the skin and cause skin deformities to type VII collagen resulting in bullous dermatoses (lumps) under the skin. Its presentation is similar to other types of bullous dermatoses - including dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA). The diagnosis of BSLE is made possible because of its co-existence with SLE.

In addition to the physically debilitating symptoms of lupus, it effects other general areas of a patient's life, including absenteeism from work, reducing overall education opportunities, lower rates of employment and greater overall work related disabilities. This has a significantly negative economic impact on sufferers of lupus.

Early diagnosis and treatment of lupus helps reduce the negative economic impacts upon patients with the condition, and appropriate treatment protocols help to alleviate painful symptoms. Therefore diagnosis and treatment are essential for a better overall quality of life for people with lupus.

Clinical diagnosis includes the taking of the client's medical history and a physical examination and consideration of any of the above symptoms that is caused by lupus.

By : Lori V Woodward

Causes of lupus are not exactly known yet

2015-05-20T02:00:00.000-07:00

Lupus is a very complicated disease that attacks one's own immune system. This happens when the immune system mistakes some parts inside our body as foreign substances and therefore attacks it instead of protecting it. There are many things that one should know about this disease. These are the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and how to stay healthy.

Joints, skin, kidney, heart, lungs, brain and blood vessels are the parts of our body that can be affected by lupus. Some of the most common symptoms of lupus are fatigue, inflammation in the joints, very high fever, red rashes and kidney problems.

Causes of lupus
The causes of lupus are not exactly known yet. However, it is believed to be caused by genetics, the environment and hormones. The following factors below are being studied researchers to know if these can also cause lupus:

Sunlight
Stress
Particular medicines
Viruses and other infectious agents

A person's immune system with lupus produces auto antibodies that attack joints and body organs instead of protecting it. One of these auto antibodies is the Anti Nuclear Antibody. The causes of lupus are still largely unknown and compounding the vagueness is that each patient shows different symptoms.

The symptoms of lupus that are most common to all of the patients are arthritis, unidentified type of fever, severe fatigue, malar rash and sensitivity to sunlight. There can also be hair loss, mouth ulcers, anemia, chest pain, headaches, depression and seizures.

Body Organs that can be affected:

Kidney: Nephritis will occur with no pain at all. In some cases, the ankles of the patient will swell.
Lungs: If the lungs are affected, it will cause pleuritis that also causes the symptoms such as chest pain and breathing problems.
Central Nervous Symptom: If this is attacked, this will cause the symptoms that occur in the head.
Blood Vessels: The person with lupus that attacks the blood vessels will likely to have vasculitis that affects the circulation of the blood.
Blood: If affected, the person can have anemia leukopenia and thrombocytopenia and abnormal blood clotting.
Heart: The heart can have inflammation if affected by lupus. This will cause chest pains and other symptoms of lupus.

How your lupus diet is either working for or against you

2015-05-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

Lupus is an inflammatory disease that can be the result of a number of factors. One of the most common and important factors is stress on the body due to lifestyle. Since this is an area we have full control over (should we choose it), it is something that we can use in our fight against disease, such as lupus. Low-level, chronic inflammation due to stress is linked with many serious illnesses, including lupus, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, even depression and mood disorders.

Speaking from personal experience, my lupus diagnosis was a consequence of very high, chronic levels of stress over approximately a year. I knew my body was running on empty for some time, and finally one day I felt it 'break'. Although I didn't know what the 'label' was for what just happened, I knew my symptoms of extreme chronic fatigue, muscle pain, aching joints, fever and rash were the consequence of not heeding the warning signs sooner.

In my search to find my way back to health, while consciously ignoring the 'incurable' status out of desperation to get my life back, I took on the challenge to 'heal the root cause' of my lupus. I did. I'm happy to say I don't have lupus anymore.

Lupus and Inflammatory Foods

The following is a list of foods which are 'inflammatory'. Because lupus is an inflammatory condition, you must be consciously working toward an 'anti-inflammatory' lifestyle.

Inflammatory foods that you must avoid if you have lupus:

Processed foods
Trans fats (shortening, hydrogenated oils)
Polyunsaturated vegetable oils - (including corn, safflower, canola, sunflower and soy - excluding fish and flaxseed oil)
Saturated animal fat
High fatty animal meats
Processed and smoked meats - (such as hot dogs, sausages, and lunch meats)
Dairy and eggs
Sugar
Refined carbohydrates and starches
Gluten - wheat and other grains (rye, barley, and spelt)
Junk food
Fast food restaurants (fried foods, or baked with trans fats from shortening, margarine, lard or partially hydrogenated oil)
Salt
Nightshade vegetables
Alfalfa Sprouts - (have a high L-canavanine content, causing potential inflammation)
Caffeine - (chocolate, coffee, caffeinated tea)
Artificial sweeteners
Alcohol
Sodas

Food Allergies and Sensitivities - Find What Works for You

Other factors to consider include food allergies and sensitivities. You may have noticed that certain foods instantly 'drain' you of energy. To this day when I eat a bowl of chicken teriyaki with white rice or have a glass of soda (a big no no!) my energy instantly drops. Paying attention to how your body responds to your foods is vital.

Below are a list of the most common foods that trigger allergies or food sensitivities:

Fish
Shellfish
Soy
Wheat
Tree nuts (such as walnuts, cashews, and pistachios)
Peanuts
Milk
Eggs

Healing Through Nutrition - With Easy to Digest, Nutritious Meals

If you are managing an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, an easy to digest meal with natural, organic whole foods is optimal. By consuming such a Diet for Lupus you are freeing up important energy for your body to be able to focus on repair and healing work.

"The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease."Thomas Edison

When you're dealing with extreme fatigue, as most do with lupus, you squander your vital energy by making your body work extra hard at digesting your food, compared to harnessing that energy for more important things that will directly affect how you feel and your energy levels. Consider the work required of the body between having a nutritious, tasty bowl of soup or salad versus trying to digest a burger, fries or pizza once you read the following information below.

To learn more about how to cope with food sensitivities, what diet for lupus is best, and how to work toward regaining your health please visit the site listed below for a free email consultation. Wishing you the best, in good health!!

author : Stacey Becker

What to Do If You Are Pregnant and Have Lupus Or RA

2015-05-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

What to Do If You Are Pregnant and Have Lupus Or RA - The excitement of the positive pregnancy test, for most expectant mothers, can be clouded with concern for a healthy pregnancy and baby. But, if you have RA or Lupus, it can be multiplied. You also have to worry about if your pregnancy will cause a flare-up, what medicines are safe for your baby, and whether or not your condition will affect your growing fetus or your own long-term health.

This article addresses the issues of two, out of many, rheumatic conditions: rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).

RA and lupus are autoimmune diseases and in autoimmune diseases the immune system, which is suppose to protect your body from any foreign substances that may harm it, malfunctions and attacks your own body's tissues. If you have RA or lupus you are probably taking medication that reduces the immune systems activity to a greater or lesser degree. But pregnancy has its own impact on the immune system and your system must make some adjustments so that your body won't attack what it perceives to be foreign, the genes that come from the father of your baby. These adjustments make it possible for your baby to grow safely. But there are other effects which can impact your rheumatic conditions such as RA and lupus in different ways.

Something to think about.

It can be hard to determine whether the changes in the way you feel are from the pregnancy or your RA or lupus. Unfortunately when you are pregnant you can become anemic, which can cause you to be tired and have a lack of energy, this also happens when you have RA or lupus. Your pregnancy will also affect certain markers of inflammation, doctors use blood test to measure your inflammation called a erythrocyte sedimentation rate or ESR, which is often high if you have RA or lupus. These markers can also be high when you're pregnant so measuring ESR may not be the best way to gauge how active your RA or lupus is. Also, your pregnancy may make blood clots more likely, but if you have lupus, there is also an increased risk that you will have blood clots because there is a protein called antiphospholipid antibodies in your blood, and these proteins is what increases your risk.

Your pregnancy can also cause musculoskeletal problems because as your baby grows, your ligaments will relax to allow the pelvis to stretch. You will also put on weight, which is a healthy thing but this can cause your posture to change which can result in joint aches and back pain. Another thing is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which causes wrist pain and numbness, is a common complication of your pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters but is is also associated with RA and lupus. All these things can make it tricky to figure out whether or not they are problems with the pregnancy or are a part of your rheumatic conditions.

Things to do if you have RA.

RA mainly affects the joints and it will make them stiff, painful, swollen and sometimes, unstable and deformed, but it can also cause fatigue and you may have problems with your heart and your eyes. There is between 1% and 2% of the United States population that have RA, and it is most common among women than men. It will usually appear when you are in your twenties or thirties, the child bearing years, so finding women with RA who are considering pregnancy is not all that surprising.

The first thing you will want to know, if you have RA and are considering having a baby, is whether or not your arthritis is going to flare-up during your pregnancy. The thought of carrying around an extra 20 - 30 pounds of weight on replaced joints or on joints that are sometimes swollen and sore can be a bit discerning. Luckily there are about 70% - 80% of women who have RA that go into remission during their pregnancy, another words their symptoms go away. For the rest of those women with RA who don't go into remission, their symptoms may become milder and easier to manage. It's hard to predict just who will go into remission but despite this uncertainty, some doctors will tell their patients to stop taking their RA medications when they become pregnant because of the high likelihood that they will go into remission and not need treatment. But there are some steps you can take before you get pregnant that can help you during and after the pregnancy.

Work out a plan with your rheumatologist for what medication you will take if you do have a flare during your pregnancy.

Read : ( Lupus and Pregnancy - What to Consider Before You Decide to Have a Baby )

You will also have to consider the type of delivery you will have. Most women with RA can safely go through the labor and vaginal delivery, but if your RA affects your pelvis and legs extensively, a vaginal delivery may not be what you want to do. Your doctor may opt for a planned cesarean section.

For some of you with RA, you may find that after you have your baby your arthritis flares up. Because arthritis flares can make it difficult to care for a newborn, you will want to plan very carefully just how you will manage this period. By planning you can ease the adjustment of this postpartum period.

If you are planning on breast feeding you will need to discuss this with your rheumatologist, obstetrician and pediatrician ahead of time. There are some RA medications that are compatible with breast-feeding. Try to decide which one you want to take just in case you have a flare after your baby is born.

If it's possible, try to have someone to help you at home during the transition time. If you are unable to, there are some things you can do to make it easier on yourself, such as; having some extra meals stashed in the freezer so that all you have to do is to pull them out of the freezer when things get difficult.

Planning is the key and it will go a long ways to helping you ease the stress of your worst flare. The good news is that RA doesn't have a negative impact on the baby, it doesn't increase the rate of miscarriages, and it doesn't cause any problems in the baby.

What if you have lupus
If you have systemic lupus erythematosus, it's a bit more complicated. The reason it's more complicated is that lupus can affect many parts of the body, such as the skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs. The most common symptoms are a rash on the face, pain and swelling in the joints and a fever with kidney disease being the most serious symptom. Lupus is more common in women then men and it will usually show up when you are between the ages of 15 and 45.

Doctors of the past would often counsel women with lupus against getting pregnant based on the assumption that pregnancy would always cause lupus flares, possibly serious flares, and that babies would do so well. These were and are valid concerns, but there is now a better understanding of lupus and how to treat it that has made pregnancy very realistic and a safe option if you decide to get pregnant.

There are several studies that have shown that being pregnant may increase your risk of flares and yet other studies that have found that it doesn't. This confusion in part lies with how the different researchers measure and define a flare. And also, during any nine-month period you may have a flare or flares whether you are pregnant or not, so flares during your pregnancy are not exactly related to your pregnancy. Headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath and joint pain are all symptoms of a lupus flare as well as the possibility being a part of your pregnancy. The most likely risk is that women with lupus have a slightly higher chance of having a flare-up but for many women it can be controlled with medication.

You will most likely flare and not do so well during pregnancy if your lupus was active at the time of conception. This will be the case if your lupus has affected your kidneys because pregnancy will also stress your kidneys. Most doctors will generally not recommend getting pregnant until you have been in remission from kidney disease and active lupus for six months.

The most ideal situation is if when you have decided to become pregnant, that you see your rheumatologist ahead of time so he can run blood tests that will determine just how active your lupus is. The blood test will also establish a baseline that your doctor can refer to later during your pregnancy in case there are any difficulties. If you don't get these test done before you get pregnant then definitely get them done shortly after. You will also want to consult with an obstetrician who has experience with treating women who have lupus or possibly an obstetrician who specializes in high risk pregnancies. It is also a good idea if when you become pregnant, you are taking medication to control you lupus and that you can continue to take them safely during your pregnancy. Although, if you have RA you are able to stop taking your medications during your pregnancy, this may not be the case if you have lupus. You and your rheumatologist will need to plan for what medications you can take if you have a lupus flare during your pregnancy.

If your blood tests show that you have the antibodies called anti-RO (SSA) or anti-La (SSB), you will have a small risk of having a baby born with a rare condition called neonatal lupus. The main symptom of neonatal lupus is a skin rash, and it will usually disappear in six months. There is a very small percentage of babies with neonatal lupus, about 2% to 5%, who will develop heart block, which causes the heart to beat abnormally. If you are known to have the anti-RO or anti-La antibodies, you will probably have an ultrasound at 18 to 24 weeks into the pregnancy to see if there is heart block. The doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid in an attempt to treat the heart block if there is one. Although, research doesn't show a clear benefit of doing this. It may become necessary to deliver the baby early but most babies born with heart block need to have a pacemaker implanted, wither at birth or later in life.

There are other complications that come with lupus and that includes preeclampsia, premature rupture of the membranes, which means the baby will be born prematurely, and low-birth-weight babies. In preeclampsia, or pregnancy-induced hypertension, you will have high blood pressure and retain fluid among other symptoms. Preclampsia is thought to be more common if you have lupus and most often it can be hard to distinguish between preeclampsia and a lupus flare. But if it's not treated appropriately, preeclampsia can damage your kidneys and liver as well as increase the risk for a miscarriage and premature birth or even cause the baby to be very small. If you have preeclampsia your doctor may recommend that you deliver the baby early, either by induced labor or a C-section.

The same advice that applies if you have RA applies to you if you have lupus as far as the period after the birth of your baby. Planning makes all the difference and having help lined up in case you have a lupus flare prevents you from taking care of your baby. As with RA, you will want to have ready-to-eat meals in the freezer and be sure to know what your options are in terms of breast-feeding and medications.

As you can see, there are some very special considerations for you if you have lupus and are considering having a baby, but if you have a clear understanding that your chances are good that our outcome will be nearly as good as someone who doesn't have lupus. Remember that the best approach is to have your health care team, your rheumatologist and obstetrician, working hand in hand and also good communication and close follow-up with this these team members is the key.

Your medications

There are many medicines that are used to treat RA and lupus that are relatively safe during pregnancy, but some of the drugs used for rheumatic conditions increase the risk of birth defects, and it's also important to remember that birth defects occur in about 3% of pregnancies where the mother doesn't take any medications. When you are considering if a medication is safe during pregnancy, you should determine if the risk of birth defects is greater than 3%. Your doctor should be able to help you figure it out.

NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs treat the pain and inflammation of arthritis. These NSAIDs include the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (Clelbrex) and traditional NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) and the many other, both prescription and over the counter. There are studies in animals that have shown that NSAIDs can cause birth defects, but there hasn't been any findings in humans. It is possible to take these medicines safely during your pregnancy up to the third trimester. Taking NSAIDs during the third trimester, will increase the risk that one of the baby's heart vessels will close prematurely, a good reason to stop taking them at 24 weeks of pregnancy. If you are trying to get pregnant you may want to stop taking the NSAIDs, including COX-2 inhibitors, from the time of ovulation until their next menstrual period because there is a hypothetical risk that these medicines will interfere with the implanting of a fertilized egg.

Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids decreases the inflammation throughout the body and these drugs are often the mainstay of treatment for people with inflammatory conditions such as RA and lupus. Prednisone and prednisolone are the most commonly prescribed drugs that your doctor will give you and you can continue to take these medicines during your pregnancy if you need to. But before you do, remember that if you take the corticosteroids during the first trimester of your pregnancy, your baby could be born with a cleft palate. This risk is still fairly low, with cleft palate happening in roughly 1 in 300 babies exposed to the drugs in the womb compared to 1 in 1,000 when there is no exposure. Babies born to mothers who take corticosteroids during pregnancy are also more likely to be smaller and born prematurely. They also will raise your risk of pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, a form of diabetes that happens only during pregnancy, and pregnancy-induced osteopenia or bone thinning. Corticosteroids are often a reasonable choice during pregnancy for the management of both RA and lupus despite the potential side effects.

Hydroxychloroquie: It was thought that hydroxychloroquine or Plaquenil, was not compatible with pregnancy but over the past decade that idea has changed. Right now most rheumatologists in the United States and elsewhere with patients who need hydroxychloroquine to keep their condition stable will keep them on it during their pregnancy. Studies have been done to substantiate the claim that the medicine might cause problems with the development of the fetus's visual and hearing systems, but the studies didn't prove it.

Sulfasalazine: Sulfasalazine or Azulfidine, is considered to be safe to use when you are pregnant.

Azathioprine and cyclosporine: These drugs are immunosuppressive drugs that are used mainly to maintain organ transplants. Doctors will also subscribe them to treat RA and lupus. There is information from world wide transplant registries of literally thousands of babies that were exposed to these medications in the womb. This information shows that there were no increased rates of birth defects, but the babies do seem to be smaller and to be born earlier. There are many doctors will use these medications if they need to control RA or lupus activity in women who are pregnant.

Methotrexate, leflunomide, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide: These medications can cause early fetal death and birth defects at a rate higher than what you would expect. You shouldn't take them during your pregnancy and also if you are planning a pregnancy you should stop taking methotrexate or CellCept at least one menstrual cycle before trying to get pregnant. If you're a man taking these medications then you will want to stop taking them three months ahead of time. If you are taking leflunomide you will need to to stop taking it two years before you try to get pregnant, or you could under go a two-week procedure to wash the medicine out of your bloodstream.

Biologics: There isn't enough data to conclude whether or not this newer type of drug is absolutely safe during pregnancy. However, we do know that TNF-alpha blockers, etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade), and adalimumab (Humira) may contribute to birth defects according to recent evidence. You will want to stop taking biologic drugs before trying to become pregnant.

In just about all circumstances, if you have RA or lupus, you can be sure it is safe to become pregnant as long as you are sure your RA and lupus are under control and your pregnancy is planned. If you have lupus it is particularly important to keep the communications open with your rheumatologist and that you have an obstetrician that is experienced in dealing with women with lupus or high risk pregnancies. With careful monitoring and the appropriate use of your medicines, it will be possible to successfully manage your pregnancy when you have RA or lupus.

Author : Angela L. Carter

Classification of Lupus Types

2015-05-19T03:48:00.001-07:00

Classification of Lupus Types - Due to the fact that it involves impairments of the immune system and determines the body to destroy its own healthy cells and tissues, lupus is defined as an autoimmune disease. A major characteristic of lupus and autoimmune diseases in general is the multitude of generated symptoms. When the compromised immune system becomes confused and targets healthy blood cells and tissues instead of external antigens, the disease can affect virtually any part of the body, producing a wide variety of symptoms that are often uncharacteristic to autoimmune diseases in general. Lupus commonly affects the joints, skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs and even the brain (central nervous system). The symptoms generally produced by lupus and other similar autoimmune diseases have an unspecific character, often being misleading in diagnosing the disease. Lupus often generates symptoms such as pronounced fatigue, body weakness, pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints, fever, kidney affections and skin rashes.

Medical scientists haven't yet been able to find a cure for lupus. In the absence of a specific cure, doctors can only control the symptoms produced by the disease and prevent the occurrence of further complications. With the appropriate treatment, the majority of patients diagnosed with lupus can live healthy and active lives. The progression of lupus is fluctuant and unpredictable, the disease alternating between periods of symptomatic exacerbation and periods of remission. The main goal of the existing treatments of lupus is to prolong the periods of remission and to ease the phases of relapse. Medical scientists hope that in the near future they will be able to come up with an efficient cure for lupus, a treatment that can gradually reverse the effects produced by the disease and prevent the occurrence of flares. The ongoing research upon this matter will probably result in finding the specific cure for lupus in the following couple of years.

The term "Lupus" comprises a variety of distinctive types that can be classified as follows:

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, (SLE), the most common type of lupus, has a pronounced polyvalent character. The systemic form of lupus can affect multiple parts of the body and cause a wide variety of unspecific symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. Despite the fact that SLE commonly affects people with ages between 15 and 40, it can also affect the very young or the elderly. Systemic lupus is considered a highly problematic disease, being difficult to diagnose and often requiring ongoing combination treatments.

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus is a type of lupus that primarily affects the skin. In the absence of the appropriate treatment, discoid lupus can become systemic over the course of time. In its first stages of progression, discoid lupus produces inflammation and rashes on the face, scalp, or other body regions. In time, the rashes become prominent, thickened and may even increase in size. The skin lesions caused by discoid lupus may also involve scaling and blistering. Although lupus rashes may ameliorate or even completely clear up with the aid of treatment, they tend to recur after a certain amount of time.

Drug-induced lupus is a rare form of the disease that occurs as a result of medication intolerance. This type of lupus produces symptoms that are very similar to systemic lupus erythematosus: rash, unexplained fever, pulmonary and coronary affections, and arthritis. However, unlike the systemic form of the disease, drug-induced lupus doesn't involve kidney impairments and often disappears as soon as the causative drugs are no longer administered. The most common medications that have been identified to cause drug-induced lupus are: hydralazine (Apresoline), methyldopa (Aldomet), procainamide (Procan), isoniazid (INH), quinidine (Quinaglute), phenytoin (Dilantin) and carbamazepine (Tegretol).

The last type of lupus refers to the neonatal form of the disease. Neonatal lupus is a very rare disease that affects newborn babies of mothers diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus or other similar autoimmune diseases. Infants affected by this type of lupus often suffer from congenital heart and circulatory problems. Sometimes, infants with neonatal lupus may also suffer from liver conditions and skin affections. When the disease is promptly diagnosed, the young patients' life expectancy and overall condition can be improved with treatment. Prompt medical intervention is crucial for patients with suspected neonatal lupus.

Lupus and Pregnancy - What to Consider Before You Decide to Have a Baby

2015-04-03T07:07:00.003-07:00

If you are living with lupus and contemplating having a baby there are a lot of questions you are going to want to address.

Is it safe to have a baby if I have lupus?

Will my baby get lupus too?

Will getting pregnant cause a lupus flare?

When is the best time to get pregnant?

Can my baby be born naturally?

Can I breast feed?

Is there a greater likelihood of miscarriage?

What is toxemia of pregnancy?

Is there something I should do to help the pregnancy process?

I am afraid I will get a flare from being pregnant. What if I can not take care of my child?

This article will address some of the most common questions addressed above.

1. Is it safe to have a baby if I have lupus?

During the early seventies, women were told if they had lupus they should not get pregnant. Since those days, treatment and support for lupus patients have changed however it is still an important question that must be addressed, looking at your specific illness, needs and risk factors.

Because lupus is a disease that strikes young women, predominantly in their childbearing years, pregnancy is a big concern as you well imagine. However, for most women living with lupus a successful pregnancy is possible. That being said there are 'pregnancy dos and don'ts' that you must follow during your pregnancy to avoid complications.

Here are some suggestions to support yourself before and during pregnancy:

Carefully plan your pregnancy, taking into consideration all of your needs. (For example, sufficient time off of work, support taking care of your child, sufficient time for rest, daily chores support, a house cleaner to do the most strenuous work, sufficient funds to allow for extra costs such as a nanny for the first few months etc.) Ideally, it is best that your lupus be under control or in remission for at least 6 months before you get pregnant. Have a strong support system in place you can rely on (For example, during a postpartum period, a stressful period or just coping with life changes etc.). Keep a diligent record of your condition, symptoms and health fluctuations. Plan your calendar in advance to ensure all of your necessary activities are taken care of well in advance to avoid stress. (For example, preparing the baby's room, collecting the necessary baby items such as car seats, strollers, etc. well in advance to avoid undue stress and rushing). Create a stress-free process as much as possible to support and maintain a healthy immune system, including dietary needs. (For example, an organic foods delivery system is a great way to avoid regular grocery trips). Take extra care of your health needs, following a nutritious healthy lupus diet, with supportive supplements (such as essential fatty acids to naturally reduce inflammation) and prepare your meals in advance (store extra meals in the freezer) to avoid extra work in the kitchen. Avoid environmental toxins (such as painting fumes etc.) and be extra careful with situations that don't support wellness (such as cleaning products, second hand smoke or other noxious items).

Lupus pregnancies are considered high risk!

Being pregnant while living with lupus is considered a high-risk pregnancy. As mentioned above, it is especially important that you find an obstetrician (OB) who is experienced in managing high-risk pregnancies and someone you feel confident in. This person may or may not be your regular OB; however having an expert on hand (at minimum for a second opinion) is highly advisable

The biggest risk to your baby is premature birth. Births before 36 weeks are considered premature.

Here are some statistics concerning the risks of pregnancy and lupus:

About 50% of lupus pregnancies end before 40 weeks (9 months), usually because of the complications previously discussed.Babies born after 30 weeks, or weighing more than 3 pounds, usually do well and grow normally Premature babies may have these problems, but in modern neonatal units they can be easily treated:

-Difficulty breathing

-Developing jaundice

-Becoming anemic

Even babies as small as 1 pound, 4 ounces have survived and have been healthy in every way; but the outcome is uncertain for babies of this size. There is one congenital abnormality that occurs only to babies of lupus mothers (neonatal lupus, described below)There is no unusual frequency of mental retardation in babies of lupus mothers

Of course, the most important question lupus patients as is: will my baby be ok? The answer is, in most cases, yes. Babies born to women living with lupus have no greater chance of birth defects or mental retardation than any other baby.

Approximately 3% of babies born to moms with lupus will also have neonatal lupus. This will include temporary rash and abnormal blood counts. This usually will disappear by the time the child is between 3 and 6 months old and will not recur.About 50% of babies with neonatal lupus are born with a heart condition. This condition is typically permanent and treatable with a pacemaker. You should discuss this possibility with your doctor.About 33% of people with lupus have an antibody known as the anti-Ro, or anti-SSA, antibody.About 10% of women with anti-Ro antibodies-about 3% of all women with lupus-will have a baby with a syndrome known as "neonatal lupus."

Neonatal lupus is not SLE. Neonatal lupus consists of:

-A transient rash

-Transient blood count abnormalities

-Sometimes a special type of heart beat abnormality. If the heart beat abnormality occurs, which is very rare, it is treatable but it is permanent.

Neonatal lupus is the only type of congenital abnormality found in children of mothers with lupus.

For babies with neonatal lupus who do not have the heart problem, there is no trace of the disease by 3-6 months of age, and it does not recur. Even babies with heart beat abnormality problems grow normally. If a mother has had one child with neonatal lupus, there is about a 25% chance of having another child with the same problem.

There is only a small chance that the child will develop systemic lupus erythematosus later in life.

3. Will getting pregnant cause a lupus flare?

Flares during pregnancy are most common during the first or second trimester or during the first few months following delivery.

Stress (both chronic and acute) plays a significant role in increasing your risk of a flare, so you must do all that you can to manage it.

The presence of lupus nephritis before conception also increases the chance of having complications during pregnancy. These concerns should be discussed with your doctor, as each person's situation and physical constitution is very different.

Most flares that do occur are mild and treated easily with corticosteroids.

The most common symptoms of these flares are:

-Arthritis

-Rash

-Fatigue

Remember, in some situations a flare is difficult to differentiate between lupus and pregnancy.

Certain abnormalities in lupus laboratory tests may be due to pregnancy rather than to lupus:

Approximately 33% of women with lupus will have a decrease in platelet count during pregnancyAbout 20% of women with lupus will have an increase in protein in the urine, or new occurrence of protein in the urine

These levels usually recover after delivery

4. When Is The Best Time To Get Pregnant?

The answer is simple: when you are at your healthiest.

Women in lupus remission have much less trouble than do women with active disease. It is important to remember that woman who conceive after 5 to 6 months of remission are less likely to experience a lupus flare than those who get pregnant while in a current flare.

Good health rules are essential:

-Eat well; you must follow a healthy diet for lupus (see site below for a specific diet for lupus guidelines)

-Take medications as prescribed

-Visit your doctor(s) regularly

-Don't smoke

-Don't drink

-Certainly don't use recreational drugs

-Listen to your body and follow its needs, (pushing through pain or fatigue is not advised, get the rest your body needs)

When you are in remission there is every reason to be hopeful that you can conceive a healthy child and maintain your health, especially if you are diligent with your health and get the support of medical (and alternative) health specialists.

You must support your body and immune system with a proper diet for lupus which will not only support your health, but that of your future child. To learn more about at lupus diet dos and don'ts please visit the site below.

Your delivery should also be in a hospital, so you have access to specialized care and equipment you or your baby may need.

Lupus pregnancies are considered high risk. You should not attempt home delivery or be overly concerned about natural delivery, since complications during delivery can occur.

10 Foods Lupus Sufferers Should Avoid

2015-03-19T10:10:00.002-07:00

Although a lupus diet is not a cure for lupus choosing the right foods can be extremely helpful in reducing lupus symptoms. A lupus diet is known to have an impact on inflammation, pain, overall mobility and stamina levels. It is also thought that the correct diet or avoiding certain foods can also play a significant factor in tackling the underlying cause of lupus, I.e.: Autoimmune disease.

Here are ten lupus diet suggestions that are known make a difference Although this is only a small list, it will help relieve lupus symptoms:

10 Foods Lupus Sufferer's Should Avoid

Avoid processed foods and foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Don't rely on red meat as a source of protein. Eat fish or chicken instead.
Maintain a low-fat diet. You can't completely eliminate fat intake, but you should strive to avoid excess fat.
Minimize exposure to spicy food, which may spur flares.
Drink water instead of alcohol, soda pop, energy drinks and other unhealthy beverages.
Lower your intake of sugar and salt.
Decrease or eliminate consumption of refined carbohydrates and starches. Look to whole grains instead.
Eat more fresh, raw vegetables and fruit.
Focus on foods that your body can digest easily.
Supplement your Lupus diet with probiotics and other digestive aids.

Note: Before you implement any particular lupus diet, you should consider being tested thoroughly for food allergies, food allergies whether known or not may bring on lupus flares.

This Can Help Both SLE & DLE Sufferer's

These ten lupus diet guidelines serve as the foundation for a smart eating plan for those suffering with both SLE or DLE as the underlying cause is normally very similar or linked. Diet plans should always be consistent with those general principles even though they are not a complete cure for lupus. Those who deviate from these recommendations may experience an escalation in the number or severity of many lupus symptoms.

Avoiding Lupus Flares When Your Eating Out

You'll also notice that those recommendations are perfectly consistent with a variety of eating strategies for those who don't have lupus. Diet plans of this sort may provide Lupus sufferers with a ready-made assortment of menu ideas and guidance. Plus knowing which foods might trigger lupus flares can be very helpful when eating out.

Changing one's diet can have a tremendous impact on the way they experience the symptoms of lupus, but it would be unrealistic to believe that diet alone will provide a cure for lupus. A smart lupus diet helps on many fronts, but it's not a cure-all.

If you've been diagnosed with lupus, discuss the development of an ideal lupus diet plan with your physician or a nutritionist with an understanding of lupus. You may discover that a few changes in the way you eat and prepare your meals can play a significant role in the way you feel on a day-to-day basis.

The Three Types Of Lupus

2015-03-19T09:33:00.000-07:00

Lupus is a rare condition, but it can be a very difficult one. When you suffer from lupus, more than one of your organs may be affected. There are three lupus types that one can suffer from: systemic, discoid and lupus induced by drugs.

The discoid form of lupus

The discoid form of lupus affects only somebody' s skin. To diagnose this kind of lupus, the doctor has to do a biopsy of the rash that you are suffering. Because discoid lupus affects only the skin in form of a rash, this is the only proper way to diagnose lupus. The biopsy of the skin affected by lupus will show some abnormalities that otherwise will not be found in a type of skin that has not been affected by lupus. This type of lupus does not affect the internal organs. So a blood test will not be able to confirm if you have discoid lupus or not. Blood tests are used to detect another lupus type, the systematic lupus. There are lupus patients that will show a positive result in their blood test, even if they are suffering from discoid lupus. However, the levels of tiver in their blood will be very little. Although the discoid form of lupus only affects your skin, this lupus type can evolve and become the systemic type of lupus. This particular lupus type can affects almost all your internal organs. Systemic lupus can also atack your nervous system. Unfortunately, this change from discoid lupus to systemic lupus can not be prevented. Even if your treat your discoid type of lupus, you can to prevent it from developing into the systemic lupus type.

Systemic lupus

Many of the people that go on to have systemic lupus, probably suffered from this form of lupus from the beginning, and the discoid lupus was just one of the symptoms. Normally, there are not two people that suffer from systemic lupus and have the same symptoms. However, many of the lupus symptoms that they have can be similar.

( See More : Lupus disease definition causes and symptoms )

Induced by drugs
The third type of lupus, that induced by drugs, usually sets off after you use a certain drug. The signs of the drug induced type of lupus are very similar to the systemic lupus type. The drugs that are more related with lupus are those used for high blood pressure. Drugs that are used to treat an irregular heart beat are also thought to cause lupus.

By Groshan Fabiola

Lupus disease - definition, causes and symptoms

2015-03-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

Lupus is a disease that is deadly. This disease equivalent to cancer diseases, many world died because of this disease. Lupus disease attacks the human immune system excessively, thereby disrupting the body's health. The term is in Latin lupus Lupus is a "coyote". Lupus Disease characteristic feature is if the attack chest pain will arise, causing the sufferer to experience difficulties when breathing. In patients with this disease initially as having skin disorders, such as redness around the nose and cheeks. There are red blotches on the face and arms, experience hair loss, often experience swelling in the joints and ulcers as well as feel the heat and prolonged fatigue. This disease not only affects the skin, but also can attack almost all organs in the human body.

Symptoms of Lupus Disease

The most common symptoms are patient will often feel weak, excessive fatigue, aches and joints pain.
The emergence of the digestive disorders such as diarrhea, thrush continuous and prolonged high fever.
Patients will have anemia, because red blood cells will be destroyed if this disease.
In patients skin will appear red rash that extends on both cheeks, like a butterfly. And a red rash that almost resembles the disc may appear on the skin on the entire body. There are also on the skin of the patient will easily scorched by sun.

If there are four symptoms of lupus above mandatory blood test to make sure you are positive or not affected by lupus.

Types of Lupus Disease

cutaneous: often referred to as discoid that affect the skin.
systemic lupus erythematous (SLE): attack organs such as joints, blood, lungs, skin, heart, kidneys, liver, brain and nerves.
Drug Induced Lupus (DIL), usually arising from the consumption of certain drugs, but when the drug is stopped, the symptoms will disappear.