Lupus Treatment

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• QWhat are the treatment options for neonatal lupus?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  There is currently no cure for neonatal lupus. However, in most cases (and it is already a rare condition), all symptoms disappear within several months of birth. The only lingering problem tends to be the small percentage of children who develop congenital heart block, a serious condition that damages how the heart works.

  As neonatal lupus only occurs in infants and usually resolves after a few months, most of the treatments for other types of lupus are not applicable. If your child has the rash associated with neonatal lupus, you should protect their skin from the sun as much as possible by using sunscreen and protective clothing. Babies who have congenital heart block may need a pacemaker in order to make their heart work properly.

• QWhat happens if my kidneys fail due to lupus?

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  A National Kidney Foundation answered

  If you have lupus and your kidneys fail, you can be treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant. People with lupus do as well with these treatments as people who have other types of kidney disease.

  Many people with kidney disease caused by lupus receive a kidney transplant. The drugs used to prevent your body from rejecting the new kidney are the same or similar to those used to treat lupus. It is unusual for lupus to come back in the new kidney; most of the time, the lupus stays inactive.

• QHow is lupus treated?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Symptoms of lupus include joint pain and swelling and also may include swelling of the tissues around organs. Pain medicine and anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat pain and swelling. Medicated creams may be used to treat rashes associated with lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means the body's immune system is overactive. Immunosuppressant drugs are used to suppress the overactive immune system. Although not related to malaria, anti-malarial drugs seem to help with pain and fatigue and decrease flares.

  Some people find the costs and side effects of drugs used to treat a chronic illness to be prohibitive. Because of this, some people with lupus may choose to explore alternative treatments. These include using fish oils or flaxseed in the diet or as supplements, trying specialized diets, visiting chiropractors and using various creams and ointments for skin rashes. Research is limited and no alternative treatments have been proven clinically to reduce or alleviate symptoms. Alternative treatments should only be tried in conjunction with and after discussion with your physician or other healthcare providers.

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• QHow do medications treat cutaneous lupus erythematosus?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Because cutaneous lupus erythematosus causes inflammation of the skin, medications used to treat the disease focus on reducing this inflammation. Corticosteroid creams, applied to the skin, can have this effect. Antimalarial medications have also been found to improve the skin of people with cutaneous lupus erythematosus, even though malaria and lupus are not related.

  There are some alternative treatments available that may help your cutaneous lupus erythematosus (discoid lupus erythematosus). These include supplements such as fish oil and flaxseed. However, it is very important to discuss any alternative treatments you are interested in with your doctor. In some cases these alternative treatments may interfere with the treatment your doctor has outlined. In other cases, the risks of alternative treatments are little studied or unknown.

• QWhat are the treatment options for lupus fog?

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  A Sigma Nursing answered

  Unfortunately, there's no absolute cure for lupus fog. It is a side effect of having lupus or lupus medication. However, there are several treatment options that may help reduce your symptoms. Although no drug therapy exists to relieve the symptoms of lupus fog, several techniques can help one proactively manage these side effects." One of the most popular alternative therapies is brain exercise, which helps strengthen nerve connections to improve information recall. Challenging yourself to games and puzzles may lessen the likelihood of the fog flaring up. Techniques for remembering new information, such as maintaining a calendar and log of pertinent information and maintaining high levels of focus, may also counteract cognitive impairments.

  It is important to develop a routine for coping with lupus fog, doing the same things every day to make it easier to move passed the memory loss frustration. A healthy diet and regular exercise are also important. Keeping your body healthy can have a positive effect on your neurological performance.

  It's important to follow doctors' advice regarding treatment such as coping mechanisms, exercise and changes in diet. This includes regular check-ups and cardiac evaluations with your doctors at least once a year. Physical therapy, exercise and massage may also help relieve some of the muscle weakness and may improve your range of motion. However, the disease can still affect all aspects of your life, including your emotional and mental health. It's important to find ways to cope with these challenges, so joining a support group or seeking counseling may be helpful.

• QHow do I manage my lupus on a daily basis?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  You can manage your lupus on a daily basis by making certain changes in your lifestyle. These changes include allowing ample time for naps and sleep, limiting sun exposure, exercising, and eating well. Learn all you can about lupus so that you know what you are dealing with. Try to meet other people who have lupus and gather a support system of your family and friends. Lupus increases your risk of depression and stress, so be sure to relax and take solace in the company of friends.

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• QWhat are the treatment options for lupus?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Just as the symptoms and severity of lupus varies from person to person, so do the treatment options. The goal of treatment is to improve quality of life. The type of symptoms and their strength dictate the treatment chosen. Since lupus is an autoimmune disease, immunosuppressant drugs are used to suppress the immune system. Pain and anti-inflammatory medicines treat joint pain and swelling around joints or organs. Anti-malarial drugs have been helpful in treating symptoms. Rashes are treated with corticosteroid creams. When fatigue is an issue, health providers try to find the cause for the fatigue - such as pain, depression, or trouble sleeping-before determining treatment. If symptoms are more severe, then stronger medications are used.

• QIs there a cure for lupus?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Today, there is no known cure for lupus. Doctors believe the disease is tied to genetics and triggered by one's environment. Current research is focused on genes, biomarkers (substances used to track how biological processes work), understanding the disease better so diagnosis can be made earlier, and improvement of treatment options. Prognosis for those diagnosed with lupus is good. Most can expect to live a normal lifespan with proper treatment.

• QWhat are some aggressive treatments for lupus?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  When you suffer from severe forms of lupus, your doctor may recommend aggressive treatment. Aggressive treatments for lupus include high doses of corticosteroids, despite its harmful side effects. Your doctor might also recommend drugs that suppress the immune system so that your body stops producing the antibodies that attack good tissue. This treatment also has the potential to be dangerous, as it makes you susceptible to many illnesses.

  There are also potential lupus treatments that are still in the clinical trial phase, including belimumab, stem cell transplants, DHEA, and rituximab.

• QWhat is drug-induced lupus erythematosus?

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  A Reston Hospital Center answered

  Drug-induced lupus erythematosus is one of four types of lupus. It differs from the others in that it is brought on in some individuals by certain medications. This type of lupus lasts only as long as you take the medication and then disappears on its own. Some of the medications that can lead to drug-induced lupus erythematosus include hydralazine, procainamide, and isoniazid.