Lupus - What you need to know
A butterfly-shaped facial rash may be the first sign of this auto-immune disease, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells. The course of lupus is unpredictable, but various therapies can help ease symptoms, delay progression of the disease and boost overall health.
What It Is
A chronic inflammatory disease marked by flare-ups and remissions, lupus has been called the 'great impostor' because it can cause such a wide array of symptoms in almost any part of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, brain or kidneys. Women are affected eight to ten times more often than men. Lupus is fairly rare, and many sufferers don't even know they have it, but it is a serious disease.
What Causes It
In lupus, the immune system goes awry and produces abnormal cells that travel through the body, attacking healthy tissues. It's uncertain what causes this condition, though heredity, sex hormones or infections may play a role. Sunlight, childbirth, stress or drugs may trigger attacks.
Symptoms
When to Call a Doctor
How Supplements Can Help
A wide array of supplements, taken together long term may relieve symptoms, slow the progression of the disease and lessen the need for conventional drugs, which frequently have serious side effects. All can be used with conventional prescription drugs for lupus, but because lupus is a serious disease, you should take supplements only under ongoing medical supervision. Benefits may be noticed within a month.
Vitamin B complex works throughout the body to maintain the health of skin, mucous membranes, blood, nerves and joints. Along with vitamins C and E and selenium - all antioxidants - B-complex vitamins speed healing and help protect the heart and blood vessels, joints, skin and other areas that can be damaged by the inflammatory process. Vitamin E may be particularly effective for skin and joint problems.
Essential fatty acids in the form of flaxseed oil, fish oils and evening primrose oil may be beneficial. These can reduce inflammation in the joints, kidneys, skin and other areas; they may also lower cholesterol levels, which might be elevated. Doctors are finding that DHEA may reduce a lupus patient’s requirements for the prescription steroid drug prednisone. Furthermore, it may relieve symptoms and improve stamina. The recommended doses of DHEA are quite high (100 mg a day), so if you're interested in trying this treatment, talk to a doctor experienced with both lupus and DHEA. Zinc promotes healing and, along with vitamin C, may help regulate the immune system. Because zinc depletes copper stores, it should be taken with that mineral when used over the long term.
What Else You Can Do
Facts and Tips
Latest Findings
Preliminary studies indicate a connection between lower-than-average blood levels of three nutrients -vitamins A and E and beta-carotene - and the development, years later, of lupus. Additional studies are needed to determine whether these levels contributed to the onset of lupus or if they were a result of early, undiagnosed disease activity.
What It Is
A chronic inflammatory disease marked by flare-ups and remissions, lupus has been called the 'great impostor' because it can cause such a wide array of symptoms in almost any part of the body, including the skin, joints, heart, brain or kidneys. Women are affected eight to ten times more often than men. Lupus is fairly rare, and many sufferers don't even know they have it, but it is a serious disease.
What Causes It
In lupus, the immune system goes awry and produces abnormal cells that travel through the body, attacking healthy tissues. It's uncertain what causes this condition, though heredity, sex hormones or infections may play a role. Sunlight, childbirth, stress or drugs may trigger attacks.
Symptoms
- Joint pain and inflammation, skin rashes, fever, fatigue, chest pain or cough, hair loss, strong tendency to sunburn, blurred vision and swollen glands.
- There are many other symptoms, because lupus can affect almost any part of the body. Symptoms typically first appear between the ages of 15 and 35. Accurate diagnosis may be difficult.
When to Call a Doctor
- If you experience any lingering unexplained illness, especially if symptoms include fever, joint pain, weight loss, rashes or breathing difficulties. Seek an accurate diagnosis, which may take some persistence, as soon as possible.
- Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.
How Supplements Can Help
A wide array of supplements, taken together long term may relieve symptoms, slow the progression of the disease and lessen the need for conventional drugs, which frequently have serious side effects. All can be used with conventional prescription drugs for lupus, but because lupus is a serious disease, you should take supplements only under ongoing medical supervision. Benefits may be noticed within a month.
Vitamin B complex works throughout the body to maintain the health of skin, mucous membranes, blood, nerves and joints. Along with vitamins C and E and selenium - all antioxidants - B-complex vitamins speed healing and help protect the heart and blood vessels, joints, skin and other areas that can be damaged by the inflammatory process. Vitamin E may be particularly effective for skin and joint problems.
Essential fatty acids in the form of flaxseed oil, fish oils and evening primrose oil may be beneficial. These can reduce inflammation in the joints, kidneys, skin and other areas; they may also lower cholesterol levels, which might be elevated. Doctors are finding that DHEA may reduce a lupus patient’s requirements for the prescription steroid drug prednisone. Furthermore, it may relieve symptoms and improve stamina. The recommended doses of DHEA are quite high (100 mg a day), so if you're interested in trying this treatment, talk to a doctor experienced with both lupus and DHEA. Zinc promotes healing and, along with vitamin C, may help regulate the immune system. Because zinc depletes copper stores, it should be taken with that mineral when used over the long term.
What Else You Can Do
- Minimize sun exposure and when outdoors use a high-SPF sunscreen.
- Get plenty of rest. Join a support group to help reduce stress.
Facts and Tips
- Conventional lupus drugs, including high doses of steroids and cancer medications, can have side effects as bad as the disease itself, causing weakened bones, cataracts, diabetes and other serious problems. Supplements may allow you to use lower - and therefore safer - doses of such drugs.
- People with lupus may be well advised to avoid alfalfa in any form -including sprouts, seeds, tablets and tea. It contains a substance called canavanine, which some experts think triggers flare-ups.
Latest Findings
Preliminary studies indicate a connection between lower-than-average blood levels of three nutrients -vitamins A and E and beta-carotene - and the development, years later, of lupus. Additional studies are needed to determine whether these levels contributed to the onset of lupus or if they were a result of early, undiagnosed disease activity.
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