Lupus is a systematic autoimmune disease that mainly affects women and can affect any part of the body. Because of the variety of symptoms of lupus, it is usually not possible to diagnose for a long time, and various organs may be damaged during this time. Lupus symptoms will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease. The most common symptoms include fatigue, fever, joint pain, shortness of breath, dry eye, memory loss, and rash. Lupus is most commonly seen in women aged 15-45 years.
In addition, unlike some other diseases, it cannot be diagnosed by a single laboratory test. However, some laboratory tests can help confirm the diagnosis of lupus. Blood tests and other tests can also help monitor disease and may show the effects of treatment. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) is an antibody targeting nuclei of cells and is found in almost all patients with active lupus. Doctors often use the ANA test as a screening tool. In addition, this test helps determine which treatment is best. The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is positive in most people with lupus, but may also be positive in many people who are healthy or have another autoimmune disease. For this reason, a positive ANA test alone is not sufficient for the diagnosis of lupus.
The cause of lupus is unknown. However, since it is an autoimmune disease, suppressing the immune system is one of the main treatment methods. Factors that may contribute to the development of lupus include viruses, environmental chemicals and the genetic makeup of a person. Female sex hormones are believed to play a role in the development of lupus because women are much more affected from lupus than men, especially in times of high hormone levels.
The type of lupus treatment will depend on various factors such as the age of the person, the type of medication, the general health status, the medical history and the location and severity of the disease. The drugs used to treat lupus depend on the severity of the condition and which parts of the body are affected. Treatments are usually altered or corrected as symptoms flare up or resolve.
It is vitally important to understand your symptoms and how your life is affected by Lupus. Understanding the complex nature and cycles of your symptoms and pain can help you address the impact of Lupus on your life. Physiotherapy can help with these two aspects of understanding Lupus.
Because lupus is a condition that can change over time, good care should include periodic visits to the specialist physician. If you have a friend or relative with lupus, your life will also be affected. It is important to understand what to expect from during the course of the disease. Understanding the disease can help you know what to expect. If possible, accompany the patient during his/her visit to the doctor .In addition to this, hearing doctor's recommendations personally can make it easier for you to help the patient.
While pregnancy with lupus is risky, most women with lupus may safely become pregnant and have healthy babies. If possible, avoid getting pregnant until your lupus has been under control for at least six months. Some drugs should not be taken months before pregnancy. Prenatal examinations are especially important for women with lupus because many potential problems can be prevented early.
Physiotherapy is an effective way to cope with the primary symptoms of lupus, such as joint pain and arthritis. If you are a lupus patient, you can work with a physiotherapist to help you recover your physical function, increase mobility, relieve pain, and prevent any permanent physical injury. Physical therapy for lupus usually consists of exercises to increase flexibility and mobility. Improving strength, balance and coordination is also some of the goals of treatment. Electrical stimulation, hot or cold compresses can be used to reduce pain and swelling. In addition, additional massage therapy is useful for relieving pain and increasing circulation.
Lupus treatments vary according to the patient, because a treatment method may help a patient while not working at all for another. Some of these methods, such as acupuncture, are considered as part of complementary and alternative medicine. Research on the efficacy of acupuncture suggests that acupuncture may be associated with muscle, spinal cord and neurotransmitter activity that induce endorphin release of the body.
In addition, lupus patients often have difficulty sleeping regularly. Understanding the impact of sleep on health is important for patients to dominate their own situation. Work or family-related stresses can trigger your Lupus symptoms. You and your physiotherapist can work with your doctor to help you develop strategies to manage these stresses. In addition, applying to a psychologist can help to develop strategies to deal with stressful situations.
