Starting The Lupus Treatment
Despite the fact that the last decades brought a significant decrease of the mortality rate of lupus, this disease is in its nature a real menace for the patient's life. This autoimmune, chronic disorder severely affects the people that have it. From the about 2 millions Americans with lupus, 90 % are women aging between 18 and 30. The most predisposed to systemic lupus erythematosus seem to be Hispanic, Asian and black American women and the symptoms as well as the risks are much more severe in their cases. This type of lupus is often encountered in old people, small children and even babies.
The treatment received by any patient must suit his or her particular case. In case changes intervene, a new treatment scheme is provided in order to deal with the newly created circumstances. Depending on what organs are affected, the severity of the symptoms and the degree in which the disease stops the affected person to live a normal life, a strategy to control the systemic lupus erythematosus will be provided to that person.
Lupus cannot be cured, but with medication and self management, its symptoms may be kept under control. You should inform yourself on your condition, have a healthy, balanced lifestyle and keep a permanent contact with your doctor. The treatment for lupus is based on the following medicines: corticosteroids, NSAIDs, immunosuppressants, biological therapy and antimalarials.
The treatment for the initial phase of lupus
The medications prescribed for the easier cases of lupus focus on the prevention of relapses (the worsening of rash, pain of the articulations and fatigue). The patient should keep in touch and regularly visit his/her doctor; and must never wait until the last minute. In case of relapse, attention turns to the prompt treatment of this crisis in order to prevent or to minimize organ damage.
How to treat mild lupus:
- * Use creams based on corticosteroids to treat your rashes.
- * In case you experience articular pain, pulmonary inflammation, fatigue or skin rashes, take antimalarial drugs.
- * Avoid solar exposure or, in case it is impossible, protect yourself by wearing a hat, applying a broad spectrum sunscreen able to cover both UVA and UVB radiations with a protection factor higher than 40 SPF and make your clothes completely cover your arms and legs.
- * Take NSAIDs for mild pain of the articulations or fever and rest sufficiently.
- * In case NSAIDs have no effect on your lupus symptoms, take small doses of corticosteroids.
Severe cases imply:
- * Immunosuppressants.
- * Increased dosage of corticosteroids oral or injectable.
Take good care of yourself; it is extremely important in the control of lupus. The relapses will be less frequent and severe for a person that has a healthy lifestyle, which will help you live a better life. This is what you should do:
- * Do not smoke.
- * Have a healthy alimentation.
- * Do your exercises with regularity.
- * Get the support of both your doctor and your close persons.
- * Inform yourself on lupus and on techniques of self management.
In order to deal with the most common symptom of lupus, skin rash, you should avoid solar exposure and apply sunscreens. This symptom also requires medicines such as corticosteroid creams, antimalarial, biological treatment and immunosuppressants. We cannot know for sure is both the safest and the most effective. One person may react well to one medication, other person to a different one.