Lupus: causes, symptoms, drugs, and complications

You may have heard of lupus. Even though the name is familiar, not many people know what lupus is, what causes it, and how to treat it. So, what is lupus? Can it be cured?

What is lupus?

Lupus is a disorder of the immune system that occurs in the body. This disease is an autoimmune disease that causes body cells to become damaged and become inflamed.

Simply put, lupus is a condition in which the body overproduces antibodies. Under normal circumstances, antibodies function to protect the body from various foreign substances that can cause disease.

However, in people who have lupus (Odapus), the antibodies they have actually attack the body's own cells. Thus, odapus is prone to infectious and inflammatory diseases - as a result of healthy cells being attacked by antibodies.

What are the types of lupus?

There are several types of lupus that exist, namely:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is the most common type of lupus. This type of disease attacks various tissues such as joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys and blood vessels.
• Discoid lupus erythematosus, is a type of lupus that attacks skin tissue, causing rashes.
• Neonatal lupus is a lupus disease that attacks newborns. This disease is experienced by babies born to mothers who have antibody abnormalities.
• Lupus due to drugs, this disorder is usually only experienced for a short time. So some drugs may cause side effects that resemble lupus symptoms. The patient's condition will improve if the use of the drug is stopped.
• Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, is a lupus that causes skin tissue to burn and burn when exposed to sunlight.

How often does lupus occur?

Lupus is a rare disease. Although the exact figure is not yet known, in Indonesia alone, there were around 12,700 people experiencing this disease in 2012. The incidence of this disease then increased to 13,300 in 2013.

Most of the people who have lupus are women. It is reported that as many as 90% of cases of lupus that occur are experienced by women. The reason for this was not certain until now. However, a study published in Annals of the Rheumatic Disease states that this is related to the chromosome genes that women have.

In addition, most cases of lupus are detected in patients aged 15-45 years. However, it is possible for this condition to occur in children and the elderly.

What are the symptoms and characteristics of lupus?

Lupus is a disease known as '1000 faces disease'. This designation arises due to this chronic disease causing symptoms and signs that are almost similar to other diseases. Thus, this disease tends to be difficult to detect early. Here are some of the symptoms and signs that odapus typically experience, according to the American College of Rheumatology:

• Joint pain
• Swollen joints
• Mouth or nose has sores that don't heal for days to months.
• There is blood in the urine or even protein (proteinuria)
• There are rashes on various skin surfaces
• Hair loss
• Fever
• Convulsions
• Chest pain and difficulty breathing due to inflammation of the lungs

If you experience at least 4 of these symptoms and signs, then you should immediately consult a doctor.

What are the causes of lupus?

Lupus is a chronic disease caused by disorders in the body, so it is definitely not a virus or bacteria that causes it. In fact, experts don't know exactly what causes lupus. There are many factors that may have contributed to this. However, several theories suggest that lupus is caused by the interaction of genes, hormones, and the environment.

1. Genetic factors

Researchers from the John Hopkins Center, were first attracted by the factors that cause lupus, from the relationship between family genes and sufferers. In fact, the presence of lupus sufferers in a family can increase the likelihood of developing lupus in other family members. In addition, family members with lupus, when doing medical tests, tend to be positive.

Then, the presence of genes that trigger the development of a disease does not mean that the person can be directly affected or can inherit lupus. On the other hand, researchers believe that the cause of lupus disease has to do with poor environmental conditions. But unfortunately, they still can't determine which factors most strongly cause a person to suffer from lupus.

2. Hormones

In fact, women are 9 times more likely to develop lupus than men. This phenomenon can be explained by the sex hormones produced by the male and female immune systems, which are distinctly different. The female body produces and uses the hormone estrogen more, while the male body depends on hormones called androgens.

Estrogen is known as the hormone " immuno-enhancing ", Which means that women have stronger immune systems than men, given the evolutionary need for women to survive, play a role in childbirth and caring for their children. But as a result, when this immune system turns to attack the body, women will be more prone to autoimmune diseases.

3. Environment

In addition, several environmental factors have been linked to causing lupus. Researchers have linked lupus and various environmental toxins, such as cigarette smoke, sodium silica gel, and mercury. The herpes zoster virus (the virus that causes herpes zoster) and cytomegalovirus are also predicted to be one of the causes of someone getting lupus.

What are the factors that increase the risk of developing lupus?

Apart from these three causative factors, there are several other things that may put a person at a greater risk of developing lupus. Anything?

• Gender. It is known that women are more prone to lupus than men. This has to do with genetics in a woman's body.
• Race. Lupus disease is more susceptible to people who have Asian and African races.
• Take drugs. Several types of anti-seizure drugs, blood pressure drugs, to antibiotics, can trigger lupus when they stop taking the drug.
• Sun exposure. Sun exposure can cause sores on the skin that can trigger lupus due to susceptible organs or cells in the body.

How do doctors diagnose lupus?

Not only does it have 1000 faces, but lupus also comes in different conditions for each person. This makes lupus even more difficult to detect.

Until now, there is no specific test that can detect lupus. Even so, doctors will usually advise patients to perform several tests, such as urine tests, blood tests, and antibody tests.

To diagnose whether someone has lupus, the doctor will usually look at the family medical history, perform a general medical examination, and recommend that the patient undergo a skin and kidney biopsy.

What are the treatments for lupus?

Until now, lupus is a disease that has not found a cure. So people who experience lupus cannot be cured completely. However, the patient will still receive treatment. The treatment carried out is aimed at:

• Prevent the appearance of symptoms due to lupus
• Reduces various symptoms of lupus
• Reduces organ damage and other problems
• Reduces swelling and pain
• Calms the immune system
• Reduce or prevent joint damage
• Avoid complications

Usually, treatment is done by giving the patient drugs to relieve symptoms or other health problems. Drugs given such as:

1.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

These drugs include painkillers commonly given to odapus to treat pain, fever, and swollen joints that he experiences. Examples of the types of NSAIDs are naproxen, ibuprofen, and motrin. Most of the NSAIDs do not require a doctor's prescription, but some drugs that have strong doses and side effects must be prescribed.

2. Anti-malarial drugs

This drug is actually used to prevent and treat malaria. However, in this case, the malaria drug is needed by odapus to treat symptoms of joint pain, skin rash, inflammation of the lining of the heart, and fever - which also usually occurs in malaria patients.

In fact, various studies have shown that lupus patients who are given malaria drugs have a longer life expectancy than those who are not given this drug. The types of malaria drugs given were Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), Chloroquine (Aralen), Quinacrine (Atabrine).

3. Corticosteroids

This type of drug is needed by lupus patients to prevent inflammation that is very susceptible to occur in the body. However, corticosteroid drugs have long-term side effects such as weight gain, more bone loss, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

4. Immunosuppressants

Immunosuppressant drugs work to suppress the immune system. Of course, this type of drug is needed by odapus whose immune system is too dominant. Several types of drugs that are usually used are azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan), mycophenolate (CellCept), leflunomide (Arava) and methotrexate (Trexall).

Long-term use of immunosuppressant drugs can cause liver damage, decrease fertility, and increase the risk of cancer. meanwhile, the short-term side effects that may occur are nausea, diarrhea, and fever.

Complications and health problems that can arise due to lupus

Lupus is a disease that disrupts the immune system, so that many other body systems or tissues are affected. There are several complications that may occur with odapus, namely:

• Kidney failure
• Blood disorders, such as anemia
• High blood pressure
• Vasculitis, inflammation of the blood vessels
• Memory problems
• Experiencing behavioral changes, such as frequent hallucinations
• Seizures
• Stroke
• Heart disease
• Lung problems, for example inflammation of the lining of the lungs and pneumonia
• Susceptible to various infectious diseases
• Cancer

How to live with lupus?

Even though lupus is an incurable disease, odapus can still live in peace and reduce the risk of possible problems. Here are some things odapus can do to prevent complications from arising and live in peace with lupus:

1. Doing exercise regularly. Odapus is prone to disorders of the joints and bones. Keeping doing regular exercise can help to maintain healthy bones and joints.
2. Quit smoking. smoking habit will only make this disease worse, because it can increase the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and pneumonia.
3. Get enough rest and avoid stress. Stress will only make lupus symptoms worse. Therefore, odapus should get plenty of rest and avoid stress.
4. Understand the body. Patients with lupus need to know when lupus symptoms appear and what triggers them. For example, feeling tired arises, so odapus should immediately get enough rest and stop all its activities first.
5. Avoid sun exposure. Sunlight can make skin rashes worse. If you are forced to go out during the day, you should use sunscreen to protect your skin.

Foods that are recommended and avoided for lupus patients

Food also affects the condition of lupus. There are those that relieve symptoms, but there are those that make lupus symptoms worse. Therefore, odapus must be smart in choosing the right food. Then only the recommended and challenged foods when experiencing lupus?

Good food for lupus sufferers

Foods that contain certain nutrients can relieve and even prevent lupus symptoms from appearing. The following are the types of food that odapus will need:

1. Foods with high antioxidants

Odapus is prone to inflammation, so foods that contain high antioxidants must be in the diet. Antioxidants can prevent and reduce the incidence of inflammation in the body. This substance can be found in fruits and vegetables.

2. Foods that contain omega-3

Foods such as salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel are examples of foods rich in omega-3s. This type of good fat is needed by odapus to prevent complications such as heart disease and stroke.

3. Foods with high calcium and vitamin D

One of the common problems that occur in people with lupus is bone disorders, such as brittleness and joint problems. To reduce this risk, odapus requires calcium and vitamin D which can strengthen bones and are good for joints. Both of these nutrients can be found in milk and its preparations, dark green vegetables, and nuts such as soybeans and almonds.

Foods that people with lupus need to avoid

Meanwhile, there are foods that actually worsen symptoms and even increase the risk of complications in odapus. What foods are challenged if you have lupus?

1. Foods high in saturated fat and trans fat

Saturated and trans fats will only make lupus symptoms worse, as they increase the chances of developing other chronic diseases, such as strokes. Therefore, avoid foods that contain these substances, such as fried foods, fast food , fat in meat, chicken skin, and offal.

2. Foods that contain too much sodium

Foods that are high in sodium, such as packaged foods and salty foods, should also be avoided by odapus. Sodium also makes odapus more susceptible to heart disease, even heart failure.

3. Foods that contain onions

Onions are always used as the main kitchen spice that cannot be missed. However, if you experience odapus then you should avoid foods that have onions in them. Because, according to research, onions have an impact on the immune system.

Onions are able to increase the number of white blood cells, where these cells are the main cells of the immune system. The more white blood cells, the stronger the immune system. Of course, this will backfire for people who have lupus.