What Is Lupus and All You Should Know About It

What Is Lupus and All You Should Know About It : Lupus is a type of autoimmune disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks healthy organs and tissues. This often results in inflammation to most of your body organs including, your skin, kidneys, brain, joints, heart, lungs, and blood cells.

Lupus can prove difficult to diagnose since its signs and symptoms are similar to those of other illnesses. Unfortunately, there is no cure for lupus, but Dr. Jeffrey Miller uses effective techniques to help manage its symptoms.

What Causes Lupus?

The immediate cause of lupus is not really known, but it is thought that it originates from the combination of genetics and your immediate environment. Additionally, there are other potential triggers of lupus, such as:

Medications
Certain types of anti-seizure medications, antibiotics, and blood pressure medications can trigger lupus. People with drug-induced lupus often recover quicker when they stop taking these medications.
Sunlight
Excessive exposure to sunlight may trigger the signs and symptoms of lupus or result in an internal response in very sensitive people.
Infections
Some infections can trigger lupus or result in a relapse in some people.

Symptoms of Lupus

The signs and symptoms of lupus usually vary from one person to another. For example, for some, the symptoms may appear suddenly or gradually, be temporary or permanent, and may be mild or severe. People with mild symptoms of lupus often experience numerous episodes known as flares.

The signs and symptoms of lupus you experience are dependent on which organs of your body are affected by the illness. The following are some of the main signs and symptoms of lupus:

A butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the bridge and cheeks of your nose or elsewhere on your body.
Trouble breathing.
Fatigue.
Fever.
Toes and fingers that turn blue or whiten when exposed to cold or excess stress.
Swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints.
Dry eyes.
Increased skin sensitivity that worsens with sun exposure.
Confusion, memory loss, and headaches.
Chest pain.

Remember to consult your doctor if you develop recurrent fatigue or aching, an abnormal rash, or persistent fever.

Lupus Treatment Options

Unfortunately, there is no cure for lupus, but there are other effective treatment options that you could consider based on the severity and type of your lupus symptoms. It is also possible to adjust your treatment plans depending on how your body responds to the current treatment.

In most cases, people usually prefer using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication to tackle the lupus discomfort symptoms. However, Dr. Miller recommends that you use the correct dosing schedule to avoid any kidney damage or digestive complications.

Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antimalarial medications, and a class of drugs known as antibiotics are also effective in treating some of the uncomfortable lupus symptoms. It is important to learn how to avoid triggers such as sun exposure and infections that can exacerbate your lupus symptoms.

Conclusion

For any of your lupus symptoms, consult with Dr. Miller, MD, at the Osteoporosis and Rheumatology Center of Tampa Bay. With his wealth of knowledge in diagnosing and treating lupus symptoms, he has helped most residents in Tampa, Florida, manage their lupus symptoms. To explore the numerous lupus treatment options we offer, book an appointment online or contact any member of our staff.