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With so much research on lupus and the sophistication of modern medical medicine, it seems natural to wonder if there is a panacea that makes lupus go away forever. Because lupus is episodic or recurring, which makes lupus symptoms sometimes "disappear" but reappear when triggered by something. No doubt, lupus can hinder the quality of life for people who have it.
Is it true that lupus can be completely cured?
What causes lupus?
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease condition in which the immune system attacks the body's own healthy tissues and organs. This causes persistent levels of inflammation.
Indirectly, this disease can affect almost every part of the body such as the heart, joints, brain, kidneys, lungs and endocrine glands. The symptoms of lupus are also very similar to those of many other health conditions such as thyroid disorders, Lyme disease and fibromyalgia. Therefore, lupus can be very difficult to diagnose.
Can lupus be cured?
As explained above, lupus is a type of chronic autoimmune disease. This means that you will have this condition for life. The good news is that lupus can be managed properly to improve your quality of life. There are a number of treatments, including simple things you can do every day, that can make a big difference.
To remember, lupus attacks in different ways for each person. So, the treatment and medication prescribed will differ according to individual needs. For mild cases of lupus, medications can include pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
For more severe lupus, for example if it attacks internal organs, the doctor will prescribe stronger drugs to regulate the immune system while protecting organs such as the kidneys, heart, and lungs from further attacks.
If you have lupus, you will usually be treated by a rheumatologist, which is an internal medicine specialist who specializes in joint and muscle diseases. However, if lupus has caused damage to certain organs, your doctor may refer you to another specialist.
Commonly prescribed medications to manage lupus symptoms
There is no panacea that can instantly cure lupus forever. But you can improve your condition by getting an early diagnosis and taking certain medications prescribed by your doctor to prevent damage to the organs that lupus attacks.
There are many categories of drugs that doctors use to treat lupus. However, the Food and Drug Administration in America, only approves a few specific drugs for lupus, including the following:
- Corticosteroid drugs, including prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and hydrocortisone
- Anti-malarial drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine
- The monoclonal antibody drug belimumab
- Acthar medication (repository corticotropin injection), which contains a natural ocurring hormone called ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)
- Aspirin medication
- And various other drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), immune modulation drugs (immunosuppressive), and anticoagulants.
But usually, it can take months to years to find the right combination of drugs to control your lupus symptoms. Therefore, managing lupus is a lifelong commitment.
In addition to prescribing medication, your doctor will develop a treatment plan based on your age, symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. The goals of each treatment plan are to:
- Reduces inflammation in the body caused by lupus
- Suppress your overactive immune system
- Control symptoms such as joint pain and fatigue
- Minimizing damage to organs
