Lupus Treatments

Although there is no cure for lupus, there are various treatments which help minimize the symptoms and reduce the inflammation in order to maintain normal functions. And while the diagnosis and treatment of lupus tends to be a joint effort between the patients and health professionals, the treatment of lupus crucially depends on the nature of the symptoms and as well as the organs affected. Also, as a result of individual systems, it is not uncommon for one treatment is to be effective for one patient while it is just as ineffective for the next. Desired treatment goals include managing symptoms and maintaining remission for as long as possible.

Depending on which organ or organs are involved, medications are often prescribed for lupus patients. Finding the best treatment for a particular patient, however, is usually a difficult task for physicians, thus leading to him/her [the physician] trying different medications until the desired affect is achieved. The primary aim of lupus drugs is to reduce inflammation, which is a part of the virtually all cases of lupus.

The Prescribed medications for lupus typically tend to be:

• Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID)
  These medications, often recommended to alleviate fever, swelling, and pain in the muscles and/or joints, include aspirin, ibuprofen and other related drugs. Patients with mild lupus can find that an NSAID is the only medication they need in order to relieve their respective symptoms. Most of these drugs, however, tend to yield the possibility of side effects such as irritation of the stomach or intestines, bleeding, and diarrhea. Patients with active or severe lupus, on the other hand, require additional medications, such as new anti-inflammatory drugs called COX-2 inhibitors. These drugs tend to have fewer side effects with regard to the stomach.
• Corticosteroids
  Corticosteroids are the most common drugs when speaking of treating lupus. These are powerfully immunosuppressive wok very fast to treat inflammation. They are used for a number of symptoms of the diseases, such as itching, allergic reactions, skin problem and/’or arthritis. And while the main goal of these drugs is to induce and maintain lupus remission, Corticosteroids are very strong medicines. It is due to this that doctors usually look to administer the lowest dose with the greatest benefit. Furthermore, sudden changes of dosage can be the cause of side effects that are severer than the condition itself, and therefore, it is important for the patient to meet his/her doctor and take the drugs in accordance to the way the doctor indicates. Side effects of corticosteroids and corticosteroid misuse include weight gain, muscle weakness, increased appetite, swelling and mood swings. These side effects tend to cease once the administration of the drug is stopped.
• Anti-malarial Drugs
  These drugs are very helpful; in addition to preventing skin damage from ultraviolet light, they also reduce such symptoms of lupus as inflammation of the joints. Anti-malarial include plaquenil, chloroquine and Atabrine.
• Immunosuppressive Drugs
  These drugs, particularly for patients whose kidneys or nervous system are affected by the lupus disease, include such medications as azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and methotrexate. These drugs can be given by mouth or by infusion. Side effects include nausea, hair loss, decreased fertility, vomiting and the risk of cancer infection. It is of utmost importance therefore, to work with your doctor, and to avoid stopping or changing treatments. It is crucial to inform you physician as soon as possible in the case of developing new symptoms. Some treatments can be the cause of very harmful side effects.
• Lifestyle changes
  Bringing about a change of lifestyle can help lupus patients to get the benefits that will help them to fight against lupus. Such changes include:
  1. Regular exercise, as this helps the patient to prevent muscle weakness, keep fit and prevent fatigue.
  2. Take sufficient rests as this helps reduce stress
  3. Adhere to a balanced diet. Since there is no specific diet for patients with lupus, it is very important patients to adhere to a balanced diet as there are multi vitamins in balanced diets. Doctors can sometimes suggest a special diet due to some specific problem such as kidney and heart diseases.
  4. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.