SLE(Systematic Lupus Erythematosus)- WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT?

Systematic Lupus Erythematosus is popularly referred as SLE. It is a chronic inflammation that occurs more commonly among woman than man. In this article, we have provided details about the causes, symptoms and treatment of this disease.

Causes

It is an immune system disorder in which the body cells mistakenly attack healthy tissues of the body. This disease can affect various organs of the body like skin, joints, brain, kidney and other organs. The cause behind this auto immune disorder is still unknown. Also, a pregnant woman is more prone to this disorder as compared to men. Africans, Americans and Asians are some races that is likely to get this disease. This disease also be caused by some drugs.

systemic lupus erythematosus symptoms

The symptoms of this disorder may vary depending upon one person to another, and it may fade away and then come back. Almost every person suffering from this disease is likely to develop problem of joint pain and swelling. This ultimately leads to rheumatoid arthritis. Finger joints, knee joint, hand joints and wrists are more prone to infection.

Here we have mentioned the symptoms of Sle in detail:

• Fatigue
• Fever without any particular cause
• Chest pain while doing yoga or meditation
• General discomfort or feeling of uneasiness
• Blisters in mouth
• Hair loss
• Vulnerability towards light
• Skin rash-a butterfly rash is visible among half of the people suffering from this disorder. The rash is commonly seen over the cheeks or on the bridge of the nose, but the infection may worsen during day time.
• Swelling of lymph nodes
• Contrary to popular belief, it is a contagious disease that can be transmitted from one person to other

Other symptoms entail following:

If brain is infected- If this disease affects the brain, the patient may experience:

• dizziness
• Tingling sensation
• Vision defects
• Personality disorders
• Seizure
• Numbness

If Digestive tract gets affected- if digestive tract gets affected, then it may cause

• Vomiting sensation
• Pain in abdomen

If the disease affects heart- If it affects heart, the patient may experience

• Abnormal heart beats also known as arrhythmias

If the disease affects lungs- If lungs get affected by this disease, then patience may experience:

• Difficulty in breathing
• Persistent cough

If the disease affects skin- the color of the skin changes during winters or patches may be seen. Some people may suffer from other skin disorders also called as discoid lupus.

Diagnosis of this disease

In case the patient is experiencing this disorder out of above-mentioned symptoms at least 4 are visible with naked eye. Depending upon the symptoms the doctor will conduct a physical examination test and hear sounds of the chest. If abnormal sound/ friction hub or pleural friction hub is heard, then further diagnosis is done. Even nervous system examination is conducted. Various tests are done to diagnose SLE. It includes:

Anti body test is conducted like anti nuclear antibody panel

• Chest X Ray is done
• Complete blood test is done
• Kidney Biopsy

If the doctor thinks there are some complications or want to go into further detail above condition, then he/she may ask for below-mentioned tests

• Coombs Test
• Antithyroid Microsomal Antibody
• Liver test
• ESR
• Cyroglobulins test
• Antithyroglobulin antibody test
• Rheumatoid test
• Kidney test
• Complement components test

Systemic lupus erythematosus treatment

There is no specific treatment for this disease. The ultimate aim of the treatment is to alleviate the symptoms. Severe symptoms like that of kidney, heart and other organs of the body require specialized treatments from the experts.

Mild form of this disease can be treated with help of medications like:

• For Joint pain and pleurisy- the drugs like ibuprofen is recommended
• For skin rashes-Corticosteroid- is given to avoid rashes
• Skin rash and arthritis- to alleviate this problem anti malaria drug and corticosteroid treatment is highly recommended.

In case the patient is experiencing severe lupus, then below-mentioned treatment is given:

• High doses of corticosteroid is given to diminish this auto immune disorder
• Cytotoxid Drug slows down the cell growth. These medications can only be used when the patients is not getting well with corticosteroids or of the symptoms worsens when you stop taking the dosage. The side effects of this disease are severe, so it needs to be monitored regularly and to be provided under strict supervision of medical professional.

Susan P. Temme is the author of this article. In this article you will get information about different ayurvedic treatment options available to cure rheumatoid arthritis.