What is systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus - a chronic, progressive disease that can have a variety of manifestations. It is characterized by genetically determined imperfection immunity, the development of autoimmune (allergies to their own body tissue) disorders and chronic inflammation in the tissues and organs.

Ill with systemic lupus erythematosus mainly women aged 20-30 years, often - teenagers. Men suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus ten times less often than women.

Causes of the disease are not fully understood. It is believed that certain sex hormones play a role. In addition, the role of a trigger mechanism can play a viral disease in combination with the family and genetic predisposition. In response to the introduction of the virus antigen begins to produce antibodies, which are then produced on the body's own tissues. Antibodies are glued together with the antigens and eliminate them from the body. In autoimmune diseases, antigen-antibody complexes are deposited in various organs and tissues, causing chronic inflammation in them and local or general (systemic, that is, all similar body tissue), tissue damage.

Most often these system processes affects the connective tissue and blood vessels.

Signs

The disease often begins with a relapsing (with frequent exacerbations) of joint inflammation Inflammation of the joints - how to relieve the pain? , Malaise, fever, skin rash, loss of body weight. Less - high temperature, acute inflammation of the joints (arthritis) and pronounced skin changes.

Arthritis is observed in 80-90% of patients. Characterized by inflammation of the small joints of the hand, wrist and ankle. Often there are muscle pain.

Cutaneous manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus are diverse. Most often on the face, neck, chest, in the joints appear isolated or confluent red, swollen, sharply demarcated from the rest of the skin patches of different shapes and sizes. Typically the location of lesions on the nose and cheeks to form the "Lupus Butterfly." Typically also stains under the influence of solar radiation.

In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are often found trophic (eating disorders) disorders: common dry skin, hair loss, brittle nails. The process is often applied to the heart, affecting all of its shell, and the lungs. A sign of lung disease is the appearance of shortness of breath and chest pain when breathing. When lupus glomerulonephritis observed a variety of kidney damage - from mild to very severe violation of their function, which is ultimately the cause of death of patients.

These patients appear increasing weakness, fatigue, irritability Irritability - you try to control my temper , Depressed mood, headache, sleep disturbances Dreams: how to understand our dreams . If it affects the central nervous system may appear visual hallucinations (patients see what is really there), seizures, various disorders of consciousness.

Current

There are acute, subacute and chronic primary. When acute course of the disease begins abruptly with fever, skin and internal organs. In the next six months, there are signs of glomerulonephritis, and central nervous system. The duration of the course without treatment - no more than two years.

In the most frequent subacute disease begins with pain in the joints Joint pain - how to understand what is going on? , Recurrent arthritis, a variety of skin lesions. Over the next 2-3 years, the disease is exacerbated renal and central nervous system.

In chronic course of the disease for a long time all the signs of relapse (aggravated) and only 5-10 years join of kidney damage and central nervous system.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis is based on detection of the triad: "Lupus Butterfly" recurrent fever and lesions of the inner shells (polyserositis).

For systemic lupus erythematosus is also characterized by a decrease in white blood cells - white blood cells. Especially small lymphocytes, which are the formation of antibodies. The most typical laboratory signs of systemic lupus erythematosus is the so-called LE cells that are leukocytes, neutrophils, which are found in the cytoplasm of large inclusions - residues disintegrated nuclei of neutrophils.

Treatment

Treatment should be comprehensive, including anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapy in combination with remediation. Prescribe a course of corticosteroids in combination with immunosuppressive agents that suppress the immune system. Be sure to prescribe vitamin and mineral supplements.

By reducing the activity of the process is carried out courses of physiotherapy, massage and spa treatment.

If you have just been diagnosed - Lupus

Ten questions to ask your doctor about lupus

• Can medications that I am taking, cause the symptoms of lupus?
• Could something else be the cause of lupus?
• Could the disease has hurt my kidneys, or other organs?
• Do I need to make the analysis of bone density?
• Do I need to take calcium or other supplements?
• What are the possible side effects of medication for the treatment of lupus?
• How long do I have to take these medications?
• Is it safe to get pregnant if I have lupus? Not harmful if the drug for the treatment of lupus during pregnancy?
• How often should I be screened?
• What changes in your life to make you recommend?

Surgery

The surgery is not needed for mild or moderate symptoms of lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus). Surgery may be indicated for people suffering from lupus, which have a life-threatening kidney damage. Kidney transplantation or dialysis Dialysis - maintains normal body   It can be made instead of prolonged treatment with high doses of drugs with serious side effects.

If kidney disease is not treatable with high doses of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs, it is reasonable to use dialysis or transplantation.

For unknown reasons, manifestations of lupus are much less during dialysis or after renal transplantation.

Other treatment of lupus

While some people ill with lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) are turning to alternative or complementary therapies (such as special diets, fish oil Fish oil - so whether it is useful to think?   or manipulation), the effectiveness of these methods has not been proven.

Some treatments, which are based on the relaxation Relaxation and stress - calm, not panic! Can help you deal with a long (chronic) disease and significantly improve the quality of your life. These therapies include:

• massage
• Yoga
• Guidance images.

Experimental therapies in lupus

Medications and therapies that are currently on a study focused on changes in the immune system, thus halting progression of the disease. These latest methods of treatment is stem cell transplantation, and biological treatment.

Immunoablyatsiya with or without stem cell transplantation is currently being studied as a treatment for severe lupus, which can not be controlled by other means. When immunoablyatsii potent drugs used to destroy the damaged part of the immune system. Then, bone marrow cells themselves are replaced or partially replaced by stem cell transplantation. The transplanted cells replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow cells healthy stem cells. Stem cells - the immature cells that produce bone marrow. They can divide to produce more stem cells or can develop into red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes) and platelets. However, we must continue to explore these methods of treatment of lupus.

Biological treatment is blocking certain stages of autoimmune processes, because of which there erythematosus, without suppressing the entire immune system. Currently, scientists are conducting experiments with certain substances, antibodies and nucleotides, which block the autoimmune process at an early stage. Rituximab - type of antibodies directed against certain immune cells that play an important role in lupus. This drug approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. He also continues to be studied by scientists as a means to treat lupus. He was already beginning to use an exacerbation of lupus, when it can not be treated with other immunosuppressive therapies. In some cases, this drug can cause serious side effects - breathing difficulties, heart problems or acute infection. Therefore, rituximab should be used very carefully.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (also known as prasterone US) - is androgenic food additive derived from wild yam. Experts recommend using only pharmaceutical grade (as opposed to natural) of the drug. Research results are mixed. The most common side effect of it - acne Acne: facial trouble   and hair growth in women and men of their loss. Since this supplement is a hormonal substance, consult your doctor before taking it, and check the level of DHEA in the blood every six months. On prolonged exposure to the drug is not known.

Plasmapheresis - removal of some parts of blood is rarely used as a treatment for lupus, except acute cases when other treatments are not effective.

Gamma globulin intravenously can be used to treat lupus, if no other treatments do not help. Although there is no clear evidence that it helps.