|
Treatment
choices for lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) depend on how severe
your symptoms are, whether your organs are affected, and how much your
symptoms are affecting your daily activities.
Although there is no cure for lupus,
effective treatment can minimize symptoms, reduce inflammation, and maintain
normal bodily functions for the vast majority of people with the disease.
Good self-care is
essential to managing lupus. A healthy lifestyle may reduce the frequency and
severity of flares. Self-care includes:
- Rest and exercise.
- Education about
lupus and self-care.
- Not smoking.
- Eating a healthful,
balanced diet.
- Support system of
family, friends, and health professionals.
- For photosensitive
patients, avoidance of (excessive) sun exposure and/or the regular
application of sun screens will usually prevent rashes
Medications often are prescribed for people with lupus, depending on which
organs are involved, and the severity of involvement. Commonly prescribed
medications include:
* Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
– These drugs, such
as aspirin and ibuprofen, are usually recommended for muscle and joint pain,
and arthritis.
* Acetaminophen
– A mild analgesic used for pain, such as Tylenol.
* Corticosteroids
– Synthetically produced corticosteroids, such as
prednisone, are used to treat the more severe complications of lupus, reduce inflammation and suppress activity of the
immune system.
* Anti-malarials
– These drugs, such as Plaquenil, are prescribed for
skin and joint symptoms of lupus. It may take months before these drugs
demonstrate a beneficial effect.
(Regular eye exams are esssential when taking antimalarial drugs.)
* Immune modulating drugs
– These drugs, such as Imuran and Cytoxan,
act in a similar manner to the corticosteroid drugs in that they suppress
inflammation and tend to suppress the immune system.
* Biologic drugs
– These drugs include agents that block the
production of specific antibodies, like those against DNA, or agents that act
to suppress the manufacture of antibodies through other mechanisms.
|
.gif)
