Her post on Instagram revealed she had a kidney transplant due to lupus. Lupus is often referred to as Selena Gomez’s disease. She spent some time in a treatment center in January of 2014 after her diagnosis.

Her kidney was donated by a close friend, Francia Raisa. Lupus is an autoimmune disease. According to WebMD, there is no cure.

What is Selena Gomez Disease and How Was Selena Affected?

Selena was a star by the time she reached the age of 24. Selena Gomez Disease or Lupus has impacted both her physical and mental health. While she was on tour, she suffered from anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and low self-esteem.

Her participation in group therapy, individual therapy, and equine therapy was beneficial. Her focus was on acceptance, mindfulness, and changing negative behaviors. She supports mental issues and encourages people to open up and discuss therapy.

She has received treatment for the disease and is currently in remission. A good explanation of Lupus is available through a doctor at Cleveland Clinic in this YouTube Video. At this time, 1.5 million people in the United States have lupus.

What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Lupus?

As an autoimmune disease, Lupus has a range of symptoms including:

• Achy or swollen joints
• Severe or constant fatigue
• Swelling in the ankles
• Hair loss
• Seizures
• Fever
• Skin rash
• Fever exceeding 100 degrees
• Deep breaths resulting in pain in the chest
• Nose or mouth sores
• Sensitivity to lights and the sun
• Internal organ issues including the heart, kidneys, lungs, and brain
• Pale purple toes or fingers due to stress or cold
• Fatigue

When the symptoms appear and disappear in waves, it is referred to as flare-ups. When the disease is in remission, the symptoms are often not noticeable or light. Symptoms can also be so heavy daily life is affected.

What Are the Different Types of Lupus?

According to Cleveland Clinic, there are several different types of the disease including:

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:

SLE or systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common form where healthy tissue is attacked by the immune system in error. This often impacts the joints, skin, and organs including the brain and kidneys.

Drug-Induced Lupus:

This type of lupus results from specific medications. The symptoms are generally the same as systemic lupus erythematosus. Drug-induced lupus is usually temporary and will disappear once the individual stops taking the medication.

Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus:

This form of disease impacts the skin. The word cutaneous actually means skin. People with this disease often suffer from skin issues including rashes and sensitivity to light or the sun. Another common symptom is hair loss.

Neonatal Lupus:

This is the rarest type of this disease and is present in infants when they are born. These children were passed antibodies from their mothers. Either the mother had lupus when she was pregnant or she may be diagnosed at some point in the future.

Even if the mother has lupus, it may not be passed to the child.

What Are the Risk Factors and Causes of Lupus?

The exact cause of lupus remains unknown. Medical professionals believe lupus occurs when the immune system is triggered to attack the body. Research is still being conducted to determine the cause of the disease.

Prescription medications including procainamide and hydralazine can cause lupus. Symptoms usually disappear once the medication is stopped. According to WebMD, the following increases the risk of a lupus diagnosis.

Age:

Women between the ages of 14 and 45 are the group most affected.

Race:

The risk of lupus is higher for individuals of Native American, Asian and African descent.

Contact with Viruses:

Contact with both chemicals and viruses can trigger lupus.

Sex:

Among all lupus diagnoses, 90 percent are women. The belief is this is due to hormones.

Family History:

Lupus can impact multiple members of the same family. Approximately 10 percent of everyone diagnosed with the disease has a close relative with lupus.

What Are the Effects of Lupus On the Body?

Lupus often affects many different areas of the body. Many people experience serious complications and aches and pains.

Since this is an autoimmune disease, the result is the body attacking itself. This means organ damage is possible as time passes.

According to Lupus.org, the most commonly affected parts of the body are blood, kidneys, heart, skin, joints, brain, and lungs.

When lupus affects the kidneys, the result is potentially life-threatening. Approximately 50 percent of all people suffering from lupus experience kidney issues similar to Selena Gomez.

Kidney issues are generally diagnosed when the person develops a fever or rash, loses weight, or becomes ill due to arthritis. Although not as common, kidney diseases are possible even if there are no other symptoms of the disease.

Unfortunately, kidney disease is usually in the advanced stages before any symptoms are produced. It is essential to diagnose kidney disease as early as possible and treat it correctly.

There is a urine test referred to as a urinalysis that is capable of showing kidney disease in the earliest stages.

Skin issues are a common effect of lupus. Some individuals diagnosed with this disease have a red rash on the bridge of their nose and over their cheeks. This is the same area the most common wolf markings are found.

This is the reason the disease is called lupus. The Latin word for wolf is lupus. Another skin issue with lupus is large, circular red rashes called plaques. If scarring occurs, it is referred to as discoid lupus.

If exposed to the sun, skin rashes often become worse. Mouth sores and hair loss are also common with this disease. In some cases, the lungs and heart are involved as well. This is often due to the heart or lungs being covered by inflammation.

When these organs are inflamed, the result can be the development of an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or fluid building up around the heart or lungs.

When blood is involved, there may or may not be other symptoms. People with the disease often have a dangerously low number of white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets. Platelets are a type of cell helping blood to clot.

If there are any changes in blood counts, the result may include:

• Fatigue symptoms
• Low red blood cells resulting in anemia
• Low platelet count resulting in easy bruising
• Low white blood cell count resulting in a serious infection

Many individuals never experience the symptoms associated with blood abnormalities. For this reason, blood tests should be performed periodically so any issues can be detected.

Lupus often causes an increase in blood clots. If the clot occurs in a vein in the legs, it is called deep venous thrombosis. Clots in the lung are called a pulmonary embolus and a stroke is a clot in the brain.

When an individual with lupus develops a blood clot, it may be due to antiphospholipid antibody production. This type of antibody is classified as an abnormal protein and increases the risk of blot clots.

Most people with lupus are not affected by brain issues. If this occurs, the result can be seizures, depression, and confusion with strokes rare. Arthritis is another common issue for individuals with this disease.

There can be pain and swelling. Pain and stiffness are the worst in the morning. Arthritis can become permanent or last for days or weeks. In most instances, arthritis is not crippling.

What is the Best Way to Diagnose Lupus?

Lupus usually has a lengthy and difficult process for diagnosis. This is because many of the symptoms overlap other diseases and conditions such as arthritis and diabetes.

Diagnosing lupus is even more challenging due to the time necessary for symptom development. According to Medical News Today, the majority of providers begin with a family history to determine if lupus is present in the family.

The provider then discusses any symptoms the individual has experienced. The next step is taking lab tests to find abnormalities including anemia and low blood cell counts. In some cases, an ANA or antinuclear antibody test is performed to find antibodies.

Antibodies are located in the blood and fight off diseases. This is often a symptom of an autoimmune disease. Individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus frequently test positive.

Even if the ANA test is positive, it does not mean the person has lupus. Positive ANA tests can result in whether the individual has this disease or not. For this reason, lupus is not diagnosed with this test alone.

Providers will usually look for a minimum of three other clinical features before giving a lupus diagnosis. This includes both family history and symptoms.

The Most Common FAQs Regarding Lupus

As an autoimmune disease, lupus is long-term. The immune system within the body is hyperactive, leading to the attack of healthy and normal tissue. Many people experience swelling, inflammation, and damage to different parts of the body.

This includes joints, kidneys, heart, blood, lungs, and skin. Since lupus is a very complicated disease, it is often referred to as the disease of a thousand faces. Approximately 16,000 new lupus cases are reported in the United States every year.

The Lupus Foundation of America has released data showing as many as 1.5 million Americans are living with this disease. Women between 15 and 44 years of age are the most susceptible.

This disease is not contagious and is unable to be transmitted from person to person including sexually. Although it is rare, if a woman has lupus, it can be passed down to her children in the form of neonatal lupus.

Until 2015, lupus did not have the attention of the general public. This was when Selena Gomez made the announcement she had been diagnosed with lupus as a teenager. She did receive the proper treatment for her condition.

What Are the Complications From the Disease?

The risk of numerous health issues increases with a lupus diagnosis. The death of bone tissue can happen if the blood supply to the bone is low. Tiny bone breaks will often develop.

As time passes, the bone can collapse. The most common joint impacted is the hip. Since both treatments and the disease itself cause the immune system to weaken, the risk of infection increases.

The most frequent infections include respiratory infections, salmonella, shingles, urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and shingles.

The risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth, and pregnancy loss are higher for women with lupus. If preeclampsia is diagnosed, high blood pressure is included. The risk of these issues can be decreased by doctors.

Many physicians recommend making certain lupus is stable for a minimum of six months before becoming pregnant.

What is the Treatment for Lupus?

According to Insider.com, although there is no cure, flares, and symptoms can be effectively managed with medication and lifestyle changes.

The treatment goals include decreasing organ damage risks and managing or preventing flares.

Medication is prescribed to:

• Regulate immune system activity
• Prevent or decrease organ and joint damage
• Decrease infection risks
• Decrease swelling and pain
• Management of blood pressure
• Hormonal balance
• Cholesterol control

The specific treatment is dependent on how the individual has been affected by the disease. If lupus is not treated, the consequences of flares can be life-threatening.

The Bottom Line

When lupus was diagnosed in the past, the average survival rate was a maximum of five years. Today, modern treatments have substantially increased the lifespan of the individual.

Lupus can be managed with therapy to help the person enjoy a healthy and active life. As the scientific community continues to explore genetics, it may be possible to identify the earlier stages of lupus in the future.

Clinical trials are also conducted to provide individuals with access to many of the newer medications.

Some people with one of these diseases notice that they have symptoms more consistent with other autoimmune illnesses.

Is it possible to have lupus and rheumatoid arthritis at the same time? The answer is complicated.

Increased Rates of Autoimmune Illness

Autoimmune diseases are becoming more common in the developed world. Although there is a diverse range of autoimmune illness, all of them share a few commonalities.

Our immune system’s basic function is to attack invaders, such as bacteria and virus.

In autoimmune disease, the immune system instead begins to attack the body’s own tissues.

According to WebMD, this class of diseases includes a diverse range of disorders including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.

Some autoimmune diseases affect only one organ. Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, however, can affect the entire body.

Autoimmune diseases are not contagious. This means that people who have these illnesses cannot spread them to others. You cannot catch these diseases from loved ones who have them.

What Is Lupus?

According to the National Resource Center on Lupus, lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus, is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect the skin, joints, and organs of the body. This can cause inflammation, pain, and permanent damage.

Lupus was first recognized in the 1950’s. At the time, it was believed to be a skin disorder due to a distinctive “butterfly rash” that people with lupus often get on their faces.

Doctors later realized that lupus can affect many other tissues and organs, including the liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs.

Every person with lupus has different symptoms. However, there are a few that are extremely common.

These include:

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Distinctive “butterfly” rash that worsens with exposure to sunlight
• Fever
• Swelling in face, joints, and extremities
• Hair loss
• Anemia
• High white blood cell counts, which can lead to increased clotting
• Ulcers in the mouth
• Pain with breathing
• Fingers and toes turning white or blue in cold weather

People with lupus may have any or all of these symptoms. In severe cases, people can even develop kidney failure or heart problems from this disease.

However, most people can manage their symptoms with lifestyle choices and medications.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis (or RA for short) is an autoimmune disease that attacks tissues throughout the body.

Although it is best known for its effects on joints, the Mayo Clinic points out that it also can affect organs such as the eyes, lungs, and heart, along with effects on the skin in many cases.

Rheumatoid arthritis usually attacks the joints, causing inflammation that can cause lifelong damage if left untreated.

It begins with painful, swollen, red joints, usually beginning with the smaller joints such as the knuckles of the fingers. These symptoms are usually worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity.

As RA progresses, it can affect larger joints as well. People may notice fever, fatigue, and weight loss.

Dr. Larry Santora has made a video describing the permanent and distinctive deformities that this disease can cause.

Rheumatoid arthritis often progresses to affect more than the joints including:

• Skin and glands
• Blood vessels
• The nervous system
• Bone marrow
• Skin
• Heart
• Lungs
• Eyes

Like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis can sometimes be fatal due to potential effects on vital organs.

However, this is rare. Most people can effectively treat their symptoms to reduce long-term effects.

Causes of Autoimmune Disease

Doctors do not know exactly what causes the immune system to turn on the body’s own tissues, but they have identified what populations are most at risk.

Women are twice as likely to develop them as men, particularly women of childbearing age. Different autoimmune diseases are more common in different racial and ethnic groups.

In addition, some of these illnesses appear to be hereditary. In most cases, people who have a first-order relative with a particular autoimmune disease are more likely to develop the illness than the general population.

There are many hypotheses about what triggers an autoimmune illness. According to Healthline, Some doctors believe that our homes are too clean, with little exposure to bacteria.

This is called the hygiene hypothesis. Others, such as Dr. Amy Myers, blame the Western diet, environmental contamination, stress, and other causes.

Most doctors and scientists believe that people with autoimmune diseases have genes that leave them susceptible.

The diseases are then activated by an unknown environmental trigger. This would explain why these diseases can run in families but do not affect everyone in the family.

Most people with autoimmune diseases will have times when they have few symptoms and times when their symptoms are very severe.

These are known as remissions and flares. One of the goals of treatment is to reduce the severity of flares and lengthen the time of remissions.

Many people find that stress and other factors increase the prevalence of flares. The factors that cause flares also may be partial causes of the disease itself.

Many people are successful in reducing flares by reducing their triggers, especially when combined with medication and other treatments.

Ultimately we do not know why some people develop autoimmune diseases. However, we know that healthy lifestyle choices can improve symptoms and help patients to lead a longer and healthier life.

We also have developed the ability to test for specific autoimmune diseases and a wide variety of innovative new treatments.

Common Symptoms

Although lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are different diseases, there are several symptoms that they have in common.

Fatigue, fever, and weight loss are common to both. These are the same symptoms that people notice with any immune system activity, whether your body is attacking a virus or attacking its own tissues.

In addition, many people with either one of these diseases will have joint pain. Lupus does not usually cause the long-term joint damage that RA causes, but can look very similar to early RA.

There are a few differences between lupus and RA that can guide doctors in deciding which disease a patient has.

First, patients will have different antibodies in their bloodwork. Second, rheumatoid arthritis is usually worse in the morning, while the symptoms of lupus generally remain the same throughout the day. In addition, lupus usually does not cause erosions in bone or joint deformities.

It is usually easy for a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in autoimmune disease, to determine which a patient has.

Although it is rare, some patients can even have both diseases at the same time.

A good doctor will test for a variety of autoimmune diseases before making a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Tests for Lupus and RA

There are several blood tests that can indicate lupus. Doctors look for high ANA (anti-nuclear antibodies) as well as antibodies to double-stranded DNA and cardiolipin. There are many other rare blood markers as well.

According to health and wellness website Healthline, a person should only be diagnosed with lupus if they meet four of these criteria:

• Distinctive facial rash called a malar or butterfly rash
• Raised purple or red patches on the skin call ‘discoid lupus’
• The presence of antinuclear antibodies
• The presence of other antibodies associated with lupus
• Skin symptoms that worsen with exposure to sunlight, which is called photosensitivity
• Inflammation of the heart or lungs
• Kidney symptoms, indicated by the presence of special proteins called casts in the urine
• Anemia, abnormalities of white blood cells, or other bloodwork consistent with lupus
• Neurological symptoms such as seizure
• Arthritis that isn’t caused by other known causes of joint disease

Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is diagnosed when people get six points on a special RA scale. This scale is scored as follows:

• Rheumatoid symptoms in one or more joints (one point per joint affected, up to five points)
• The presence of antibodies associated with RA in the bloodstream, including rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies (one point per antibody present, up to three points)
• A positive erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP), both of which indicate high levels of inflammation in the body (one point)
• Presence of symptoms for more than six weeks (one point)

Although these two diseases can have similar symptoms, the diagnosis is not dependent solely on these common symptoms.

Thus, it is usually easy for doctors to tell the two apart. However, it becomes more complicated when patients have one of these diseases and believe they may have the other.

Life With Autoimmune Disease

Living with autoimmune disease can be difficult. Many of the symptoms of these diseases can keep a person from working full time or caring for their family.

This is especially true during flares when symptoms worsen immensely.

People with lupus struggle with pain, rashes, and other symptoms on a daily basis.

People with RA may have joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation that makes it difficult to perform normal activities, even ones like buttoning clothing.

Over time, they may develop permanent deformities in the joints that compromise function.

People who have either lupus or rheumatoid arthritis must be very careful to reduce risk factors for flares.

They should avoid stress, eat a healthy diet, and get plenty of rest. This balance can be difficult to manage with the demands of modern life.

In addition, patients with these diseases have to carefully track their symptoms to ensure that their treatment plan is working.

They often have to fit multiple doctor’s appointments and different therapies into their day.

Treatments for Lupus and RA

John Hopkins Medicine recommends starting lupus treatment with NSAIDs for mild flares.

Anti-malarial drugs such as Plaquenil can reduce flares as well as serious effects on vital organs.

Steroids such as cortisone as well as the hormone DHEA can reduce inflammation, pain, and other unpleasant daily effects during flares, although these can have serious side effects when used long term.

If these approaches do not work, people with lupus may be given immunosuppressive medications that suppress the immune system.

These are the last resort because they make people more prone to infectious illnesses.

Rheumatoid arthritis has a different treatment plan. Like lupus, it often begins with NSAIDs. Steroids also can be used sparingly. However, there are different drugs for more serious RA.

WebMD considers DMARDs the first line for rheumatoid arthritis that does not respond to NSAIDs, as do most rheumatologists.

This stands for disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. There are many medications in this category, all of which reduce flares while slowing damage to joints.

Biologic agents, which directly attack antibodies, are reserved for severe disease that does not get better with any other kind of medication.

These medications have been given by IV, which is inconvenient. In addition, they can have serious side effects such as fatigue and increased risk of infection.

It is important to develop a treatment plan and to follow it exactly. This is the only way to reduce the permanent injury and even death that can result from these diseases.

Further, it is important to know whether you have both diseases so a treatment plan can be developed that addresses both autoimmune illnesses at the same time.

Can You Have Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis at the Same Time? The Bottom Line

Because the symptoms of these diseases overlap, many people may suspect that they have both. Ultimately, it is possible to have both of these diseases at the same time. However, this is incredibly rare.

If a person suspects they have one or both of these diseases, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

A doctor can help to sort out symptoms, give education about the disease, and develop a treatment plan to help patients live a longer, healthier life.

Researchers have not yet determined what causes lupus, but they suspect a combination of environmental, genetic, and physiological factors.

They have learned that some medications can cause lupus-like symptoms and cause a condition caused “drug-induced lupus.”

About 90 percent of patients with lupus are women, and most are between the ages of 15 and 44. Lupus is about two or three times more common in people of Native American, Asian or African heritage than it is in whites. It can be treated through a combination of conventional and complementary methods.

What types of types of lupus are there?

Drug-induced lupus is caused by certain prescription drugs. It is the one type of lupus more likely to affect men rather than women. The symptoms resemble those of systemic lupus, and they clear up about six months after the patient has stopped taking the medication.

Neonatal lupus is a rare condition that affects infants whose mothers have lupus. Doctors can now treat neonatal lupus at or shortly before birth, and the symptoms can also disappear on their own several months after birth.

Cutaneous or discoid lupus affects only the skin. The name “discoid” refers to the most common type of rash associated with the disease. It is circular, raised, red and scaly. Cutaneous lupus can also cause a “butterfly rash” that involves the cheeks and bridge of the nose.

Systemic lupus, which affects many parts of the body, is the most common form, and its effects can range from mild to severe.

Its more severe effects can include the following:

• Lupus nephritis or inflammation of the kidneys
• Heart disease
• Inflammation of the brain’s blood vessels causing seizures, behavioral changes, and high fevers
• Inflammation of the brain and nervous system causing strokes, confusion and memory problems

According to the Lupus Research Alliance, more common symptoms of systemic lupus include severe fatigue, rashes that can last weeks, high fevers, and swollen and painful joints.

How is lupus treated?

While there is yet no cure for lupus, the website WebMD describes a variety of medications that can help relieve the symptoms and prevent organ damage.

The medicines used will depend on the severity of the patient’s symptoms and the parts of the body affected. For example, a patient suffering from joint pain may be given anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen or ibuprofen.

Some of the drugs used to treat malaria can also help lupus patients by relieving their joint pain and/or skin rashes. Some anti-malarial drugs can also reduce the chances of developing blood clots.

Immunosuppressive drugs reduce the activity of the immune system and thus control the symptoms. Unfortunately, they can also cause severe side effects.

Natural Treatments For Lupus

Can lifestyle changes help?

Cultivating and/or maintaining healthy habits can also help relieve symptoms and keep the disease from getting worse.

For example, a lupus patient needs to stay current with all of their vaccinations, since immunosuppressive drugs reduce the body’s ability to fight off infection. During flu season, they need to get their flu and pneumonia vaccines.

Exercise and a good diet also help lupus patients. Yoga may be particularly helpful because it is relaxing, and its relatively slow pace makes it less tiring than many other exercises.

As a low-impact exercise, it isn’t as hard on the joints as aerobics can be. As there are several different types of yoga, the patient needs to choose carefully.

They should avoid Bikram and hot yoga, for exercising in a heated room increases the risk of dehydration and inflammation. On the other hand, Hatha, Iyengar, and restorative yoga are all slow-paced and can accommodate patients with chronic fatigue.

In his video, Dr. Tarrin P. Lupo describes foods that patients with lupus should avoid because they can make the inflammation worse.

Exercise can ward off heart disease and can also help the patient sleep better. Getting a good night’s sleep is important since fatigue is one of the primary symptoms of lupus.

If the patient smokes, they should quit, for smoking increases the risks of heart disease. Since lupus increases the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, the patient should always wear sunscreen when going outside.

Can supplements help?

According to the Johns Hopkins Lupus Center, lupus patients who want to take herbs or supplements should always discuss the matter with their doctor beforehand, for some herbs and supplements can either interfere with the patient’s medication or even make their symptoms worse.

For example, both melatonin and echinacea boost the immune system and thus worsen lupus. On the other hand, Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium more efficiently and thus keeps bones strong.

A recent study reported at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology suggests that omega-3 fatty acids can help lupus patients by relieving depression and enabling them to sleep better. Conversely, omega-6 fatty acids increase inflammation and thus make the symptoms worse.

According to the dietician Catherine Cox, omega-6 fatty acids are considered essential fats. As such, they are necessary to human health, for they help regulate the metabolism and keep both the brain and bones strong. Studies have shown that they can reduce ADHD in children and prevent bone loss in women.

Ideally, people should eat a diet with a ratio of 2:1 to 4:1 between omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids. In other words, people should eat between two and four times as many omega-6 fatty acids as they do omega-3 fatty acids.

Unfortunately, most people in the US eat a ratio of 14:1 to 25:1. They are thus eating far too many foods with omega-6 fatty acids and/or not eating enough foods containing omega-3 fatty acids. That high ratio of omega-6 fatty acids increase the risks of inflammation and worsening lupus symptoms.

Vegetable oils often contain a lot of omega-6. Sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, and avocado oil are all high in omega-six fatty acids. Conversely, olive oil, palm oil, and flaxseed oil are all low in omega-6 fatty acids.

Some seeds and nuts can also have a lot omega-6. Examples include walnuts, safflower seeds, Brazil nuts, and sesame seeds. Conversely, fish of any type contains little omega-6.

A patient with lupus should thus eat more fish and/or take omega-3 fatty supplements while limiting their consumption of nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils.

According to the website WebMD, fish and other seafood are a well-known source of omega-3 fatty acids. Examples include the following:

• Fresh tuna
• Trout
• Salmon
• Oysters
• Mackerel
• Sardines

A few vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and kale also contain omega-3 fatty acids. Some bread, pasta, juices, and dairy products are often fortified with omega-3 fatty acids.

How effective is massage?

Like all other therapies, massage can’t cure lupus, but it can ease the pain it causes. There are many types of massage, and they fall into two broad categories.

Relaxation or spa massage is done primarily to pamper the patient, and it can ease stress. The masseur usually works on the patient’s entire body.

Therapeutic or medical massage is a complementary treatment aimed at reducing pain and increasing a patient’s range of motion.

The therapist will typically concentrate on the affected body parts. Before starting the massage, they will examine the patient to determine which muscles are causing the problems.

A patient with lupus would be better served by going to a therapist who practices medical massage, for they have had more training and experience in working with patients with various disorders and can tailor their treatment to fit the patient’s needs.

Studies have shown that massage can help patients with muscle and/or joint pain – including people with lupus. The American Massage Therapy Association does have a few caveats, however.

First off, the therapist should avoid any area with a rash. They should not use heat treatments like hot stone massage if the patient has any kind of inflammation. Similarly, patients should not get a massage if they have a severe flare-up.

Can acupuncture help someone with lupus?

Acupuncture is another complementary treatment that has often been successfully used to help patients with chronic pain. It has also helped relieve nausea caused by chemotherapy treatments.

Unfortunately, a large study conducted in 1997 found that acupuncture is less effective than some other therapies in relieving pain caused by inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

It can still help some patients, so a patient with lupus should discuss acupuncture with their doctor and then get the treatment from a certified professional.

What is aromatherapy?

The Lupus Site defines aromatherapy as the use of essential oils or concentrated plant extracts to reduce symptoms and/or boost mood.

The oils can be used in a variety of ways: They can be massaged into the skin, added to bath water, inhaled as steam, or applied with a heated or cold compress. Similarly, there are over 150 essential oils.

They need to be chosen and used carefully, for some can actually make the patient’s condition worse. Bergamot and grapefruit oils, for example, increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight – and patients with lupus are already highly sensitive to sunlight.

On the other hand, chamomile can both relieve joint and muscle pain and help the patient sleep. It can be added to a bath, used during a massage or applied with a compress.

Eucalyptus and peppermint oil can be used to relieve fatigue. Eucalyptus can also relieve headaches and other types of pain.

You can also watch Dr. Axe video and get more information about Natural Treatments For Lupus.

But you don’t look sick.

Those who suffer from autoimmune disorders often hear that they don’t look sick because they have no visible symptoms.

While friends, family, and even doctors may be well-meaning, saying this invalidates the illness.

So, Christine Miserandino, an award-winning blogger who has lupus, set out to educate people on autoimmune disorders with her website ButYouDontLookSick.com, which introduced The Spoon Theory.

Her Spoon Theory, where silverware represents energy, gives an accurate visual of what it’s like to live with lupus. (But this can be applied to any chronic illness or autoimmune disease).

At dinner one night, she handed her friend a bouquet of twelve spoons and asked her to pretend she has lupus and then says what a typical day is like for her.

After each task the friend mentioned – showering, getting dressed, cooking dinner – Miserandino took away one of her spoons. After dinner, her friend had used all her spoons.

This simple exercise became a way to let people know that those with chronic illnesses have choices to make every day and must to be selective about how they spent their time.

Also, it stresses how necessary it is to take their medication so they can perform daily activities and spawned the term “spoonie” as a way for those suffering from chronic illness to describe themselves.

Even more importantly, though, it opened a dialogue about autoimmune disorders.

This may lead to questions like:

• What is an autoimmune disease?
• Can a person have lupus and fibromyalgia at the same time?
• What symptoms may they have?

This comprehensive guide will answer these questions and more.

What is an autoimmune disease and why do I need to know about them?

Typically, the immune system’s antibodies prevent you from getting sick.

But when someone has an autoimmune condition, their immune system acts like a bouncer at an exclusive new club and it takes its job seriously.

This means it goes on a power trip and misidentifies the good guys as bad, grabs them by the shirt, lifting them off the ground, and tosses them onto the sidewalk.

Meanwhile, the bad cells sneak past as the good cells lay there bleeding and probably embarrassed.

Okay – that scenario might only happen in movies and the cells don’t bleed. However, there are millions of people living with the results of the bouncer’s (immune system) misidentification of patrons (cells).

According to Genentech, a leading biotech company estimates that approximately 23.5 million people, or eight percent of the population, has an autoimmune disease.

So, this means you may be unaware that a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or someone you know suffers from one.

How do you get an autoimmune disease, anyway? Are they contagious?

Autoimmune diseases aren’t contagious, as some people believe.

How you acquire an autoimmune disease is largely unknown, but doctors have pointed to some factors that may contribute to them:

Gender – Women get autoimmune diseases at a rate of 2 to 1 compared to men, often between the ages of 14-44.

Ethnicity – Some autoimmune diseases are more prevalent in certain ethnic groups.

For example, lupus affects more African-American and Hispanic people than Caucasian.

Genes – Autoimmune diseases can be passed down.

That seems unfair. I think I heard there has been a rise in autoimmune diseases… is that true?

Yes, there has been a rise in recent years.

Researchers suspect the rise of autoimmune diseases is due to environmental factors, like infections and exposure to chemicals.

Also, they believe a diet of high-fat, high-sugar, and highly-processed food is linked to inflammation, though this hasn’t been proven.

They also credit the rise in autoimmune disorders to a theory called the Hygiene Hypothesis, explained by Live Science as a theory that suggests children who live in very clean environments are going to have a more difficult time fighting off germs.

Hmm… I know there’s lupus and a few others, but can someone have more than one autoimmune disorder? Like fibromyalgia and lupus?

There are over eighty autoimmune diseases, but we’ll be focusing on lupus and fibromyalgia and if you can have them both. To answer that, though, you should understand each.

I know a bit about lupus. What else can you tell me?

So, you know lupus is an autoimmune disease and it works like, well, an autoimmune disease.

Remember talking about the immune system as an overzealous, aggressive bouncer? This Youtube video shows how the bouncer in action.

Lupus is still largely a mystery, though. The Mayo Clinic calls it The Great Imitator because the symptoms of lupus act like those of other ailments, making diagnosis difficult.

It’s also been suggested that some people may be more prone to developing lupus than others.

It’s believed that lupus can be triggered by infections, certain drugs, or even sunlight (since people with lupus are often photosensitive).

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, or SLE, is a chronic disease that can have phases of alternating (mild to worse) symptoms, such as:

• Severe fatigue
• Joint pain and/or swelling
• Headaches
• A butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose (the most distinct symptom)
• Hair loss
• Anemia
• Blood-clotting issues

SLE becomes known as lupus nephritis when it inflames the kidneys and causes the following:

• Weight gain
• High blood pressure
• Dark urine
• Foamy, frothy urine
• Urinating during the night

This can often be life-threatening and requires immediate medical care.

Can you tell me about fibromyalgia now?

Fibromyalgia has a global effect on the patient, physically and mentally. This is because multiple systems are affected by fibromyalgia.

It’s characterized by widespread pain in the muscles and soft tissues and is accompanied by various symptoms.

Dr. Marty Ross, who specializes in treating chronic illness, says fibromyalgia “pain can be present in the absence of injury or inflammation and is transient in nature.”

The symptoms of fibromyalgia are:

• Abdominal pain
• Anxiety or depression
• Chest pain
• Cognitive impairment
• Difficulty concentrating
• Low libido
• Tingling in the skin
• Sleep disturbances

Are there any similarities between lupus and fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia and lupus are similar in nature and have some overlapping symptoms (like fatigue and issues with memory).

This is the reason people with fibromyalgia are often misdiagnosed with lupus. The biggest common denominator between lupus and fibromyalgia is the pain, though.

Can you have lupus and fibromyalgia at the same time?

A 1994 study by Dr. Gregg Middleton, Dr. Peter Lipsky, and registered nurse Jackie Mcfarlin called The prevalence and clinical impact of fibromyalgia in systemic lupus erythematosus reported that 22% of those with lupus also have fibromyalgia.

Several other autoimmune disorders can occur at the same time as fibromyalgia, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome in 25% and 50% of cases respectively.

Published in the medical journal Arthritis & Rheumatism, the study indicated that lupus patients with fibromyalgia were more likely to have widespread pain, issues sleeping, abdominal pain, depression, and be sensitive to light and noise.

Thus, they concluded that it’s common for people with lupus to also have fibromyalgia, which generally makes up most of their symptoms. Also, they found that people who have both are less likely to be able to perform daily activities and maintain employment.

That was a lot to take in! What should someone do if they think they may have lupus, fibromyalgia, or any other autoimmune disorder?

Lupus and fibromyalgia aren’t the only autoimmune disorders that can present at the same time; you can have any combination of them.

If you believe you may have an autoimmune disease, the best course of action would be to consult your family doctor.

They will evaluate you and then possibly refer you to a rheumatologist, who specializes in musculoskeletal diseases and diagnosing autoimmune conditions.

Is there any sort of testing for autoimmune disorders?

The journey to diagnosing autoimmune disorders, whether it’s one or a combination, can be a long, difficult process.

Namely, it’s common for people to undergo over six months of testing with several doctors and specialists before they’re diagnosed and can begin treatment.

Though all autoimmune disorders are unique, the diagnosis process is similar: blood tests, a physical examination (where the doctor may look for swelling in the hands and feet), x-rays of joints, and an intake interview.

This also means your doctor will ask you questions about your lifestyle and take a family history (since it’s believed genetics correlate with autoimmune disorders).

Then, they’ll ask about the symptoms you’re experiencing and how they affect you.

The following blood tests may be ordered:

ANA Test

Doctors will test your blood for auto-antibodies. If they are present, the test will be positive. The ANA test is best done during or around a flare-up or you may get a false negative.

Organ Function Tests

The rheumatologist may be particularly interested in your kidney function if they suspect you may have lupus.

Rheumatoid Factor Test

Rheumatoid Factors are proteins that can attack healthy tissue. A normal Rheumatoid Factor is typically between 0.0 and 0.14. Anything higher is usually indicative of rheumatism.

Full Blood Panel

This will rule out certain types of cancers (such as leukemia and bone cancer) and other ailments.

If you are diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, you may have to see your rheumatologist every three or four months for a check-up where you will get blood work. Medication and lifestyle changes, such a diet and exercise, may improve symptoms.

Is there a cure for them?

While autoimmune disorders can’t be cured, they can be managed. Most people with autoimmune diseases can live a normal life when they educate themselves, become proactive in their treatment, and follow the orders of their doctor.

Sometimes, people with autoimmune disorders may go into remission, but they should continue being vigilant about their health.

With careful treatment, they can have a normal life expectancy and not let their disease act as a barrier between them, their goals, plans, and dreams.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common form of lupus and often appears in the form of early symptoms of fatigue and achiness before being diagnosed.

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to attack itself. Though there are common symptoms amongst lupus patients, symptoms do vary case by case.

The Great Imitator

Lupus symptoms often mimic flu-like symptoms, making it incredibly difficult to diagnosis. Individuals may feel tired, achy, and feverish.

These symptoms also overlap with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and thyroid problems. Due to this, taking inventory of your symptoms as they occur may help your doctor reach a faster diagnosis.

Immune System Error Alert

Understanding the severity of immune disorders is the only way to clearly establish the importance of identifying lupus symptoms as early on as possible.

A healthy immune system fights disease by releasing antibodies to combat antigens, substances that are foreign to the body.

However, the immune system of someone with lupus functions improperly and instead of attacking antigens, it attacks the body’s healthy tissues and cells.

Catching Lupus Early On

Head of arthritis and immunology research at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Dr. John Harley, conducted research that suggests that lupus infects the body in three stages.

During the second stage, autoantibodies within the blood cells are present but it isn’t until the third stage that these autoantibodies become severe enough to cause outwardly physical symptoms.

Harley’s findings suggest that early blood work could lead to faster diagnoses of lupus in patients.

Symptoms Come In Waves

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the most common early symptoms of lupus are skin rash, joint pain, and fever and tend to “flare up” before suddenly settling down for prolonged periods of time.

In addition, the onset of these symptoms may take place rapidly or in a steady progression.

Furthermore, these symptoms may appear altogether, singularly, or in unique combinations.

Inflammatory Disease

A major symptom of lupus is chronic inflammation. Inflammation triggered by lupus can affect various areas of the body including skin, kidneys, lungs, joints, and the nervous system. The most identifiable of these takes place on this skin and varies by lupus diagnosis.

Butterfly Effect

Acute cutaneous lupus causes a rash to appear when the skin is exposed to light. The rash covers the cheeks and the nose in the shape of a butterfly.

However, it can also appear in other areas of the body, like the arms and legs, that have been exposed to light.

Circular Face Rash

A disc-shaped rash appears on the skin of people with chronic cutaneous lupus. Most commonly, the rash reaches from cheek to cheek while passing over the nose and extending to the ears.

It is not known to be painful but can leave behind skin discoloration and cause hair loss if the rash extends to the scalp.

Ring Rash

Subacute cutaneous lupus appears in the form of scaly red patches on the skin.

It is not limited to the facial skin, appearing in any area of the body that has been exposed to light. SCLE can even cause sensitivity to fluorescent lights.

Joint Pain

The effects of inflammation are not limited to skin rashes. According to the National Lupus Foundation of America, the vast majority of individuals suffering from lupus will endure joint discomfort.

While it is feasible this pain will surface at any joint, it’s most likely to cause discomfort in the limbs.

More Than Basic Inflammation, Lupus Myositis

Lupus myositis primarily causes pain in the upper body and sitting bones. Individuals experiencing difficulty in performing basic tasks like getting in or out of the car may be experiencing early signs of myositis.

Without the guidance of physical therapy early on, this condition may lead to further muscle deterioration which will ultimately limit mobility further.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Known as Raynaud’s phenomenon, some individuals experiencing early signs of lupus will feel sensitivity in the fingers and toes.

If exposed to severe cold, the fingers and toes may even turn a bluish tint due to sensitivity.

Mouth and Nose Ulcers

One-third of lupus patients experience ulcers in the nose or mouth at the onset of the disease. These ulcers can cause severe pain and tend to require prolonged periods of time for healing.

Scalp Irritation

People diagnosed with lupus often experience hair loss. Given this is a flare-up symptom, it’s occurrence is possible alongside other early symptoms, but generally occurs after the disorder has strengthened.

Hair loss can occur all over the head or in patches that cause an overall thinning of the scalp hair.

Whole Bodily Tiredness

According to an article published by Grace E Ahn and Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman in the International Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, fatigue is a primary symptom of 53-80% of lupus patients.

This chronic, sometimes debilitating fatigue is unlinked to physical activity, placing lupus patients at risk for obesity.

The researchers describe this fatigue as feeling an “extreme whole bodily tiredness.”

Feeling Feverish

Individuals with autoimmune problems are prone to infection. Fever, a sign of infection, is common among individuals with lupus.

Low-grade fevers around 99 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit are not unusual for lupus patients, while higher temperatures are less likely.

Anemia

As pointed out by healthliving, a reduced blood cell count is often associated with lupus, causing anemia.

Abnormal blood work can often be a clear detector of the onset of lupus. If anemic, an individual may experience fatigue, shortness of breath, bruising, and sensitivity to cold temperatures.

Swollen Lymph Nodes

Small bean-shaped structures, known as lymph nodes, exist throughout our bodies to fight infection.

When overworked, lymph nodes swell and can be painful to the touch. If swollen, you’ll be able to feel these nodes along your neck and jaw, as well as behind your ears.

Chest Pain

Consistent, dull chest pain may be caused by lupus. Lupus can cause swelling in the sacs that surround that heart and lungs, leading to discomfort.

Shortness of breath may also be coupled with this pain if it is your lungs are that being primarily affected.

Symptoms That May Suprise You

In this video, Anna Scanlon with New Life Outlook surfaces some less talked about symptoms, including depression and anxiety.

Severe headaches and weakened teeth health may result, as well. Unfortunately, all of these symptoms are often overlooked as issues occurring independently of a major diagnosis, such as lupus.

Horrible Heartburn

Gastrointestinal problems like gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcers can occur in individuals living with lupus.

Over the counter, drugs are often used a temporary fix, but generally, diet changes are the only solution.

Weight Change

The John Hopkins Lupus Center points out that weight change associated with lupus isn’t always weight loss, but can be weight gain too.

However, weight gain is most often associated with steroid medication so it’s more likely that of the two you’ll experience weight loss early on.

As lupus activity picks up in its second stage, individuals sometimes experience this weight loss.

The Demographics

According to this video by WebMD, women are affected disproportionately by lupus and should take their disease into consideration if pregnancy is desired.

Lupus usually strikes during childbearing years, but women with lupus are still able to have safe pregnancies.

In addition, women of color are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with lupus.

Lupus In Men

While less likely to occur in males, lupus does affect some of the male population. Symptoms overlap with that of what female’s experience.

Men often develop kidney inflammation known as lupus nephritis and high blood pressure associated with stress.

In addition, MollysFund.org lists “blood in urine” as a symptom to be cautious of.

Thyroid Problems

Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroids occur in 6% of people with lupus, which cause weight gain, fatigue, moodiness, depression, and dry skin.

The body’s metabolism is completely thrown off by an underactive thyroid and therefore, the only way to reverse these negative effects is to get it back into check.

Lupus patients experiencing the symptom of fatigue alongside hypothyroidism are placed at extra risk for weight gain and possible obesity.

Sjogren’s Syndrome

While less common than other symptoms, 10% of individuals with lupus do experience Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that attacks moisture-producing glands, simultaneously.

Individuals with Sjogren’s syndrome, experience dryness of eyes and mouth. Note that it’s possible to be diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome without also having lupus.

Osteoporosis

If you’ve experienced pain in your bones, you may be losing calcium and other vital minerals for bone health.

Inflammation has been known to increase the risk of lupus patient’s likelihood of contracting osteoporosis. Just like with lupus itself, women are at greater risk for this condition.

Identifying Lupus

Lupus can only be diagnosed by medical professionals, through a series of procedures including blood work. Not all of the initial symptoms have to be experienced in order to be diagnosed with lupus.

Overlooking symptoms can lead to a late diagnosis, so don’t downplay symptoms if you think you’ve been experiencing the beginning stages of lupus.

Although the exact causes of lupus are not well understood, a number of medications are available to help treat the symptoms and allow individuals to enjoy greater physical comfort in their normal activities.

Understanding Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Symptoms of lupus can vary in both their number and severity. Common symptoms include extreme fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, skin rashes, sensitivity to sunlight, low-grade fever, weight loss, frequent headaches and swollen glands. Other symptoms, such as inflammation of blood vessels in the skin, hair loss, and organ impairment can occur.

Because patients can experience sudden “flares” of the disease, with increased rashes, fatigue or pain, individuals must ensure they follow their treatment regime carefully to prevent worsening of the disease.

While there is no cure for Lupus, the medical community has developed a strategy for treating symptoms that can vastly improve the quality of life for these patients and help them maintain normalcy in their daily activities.

Because Lupus can affect patients with varying degrees of severity, careful monitoring by health professionals is important to prevent organ impairment and to improve longevity. Your doctor will provide the assessment and treatment of your Lupus symptoms to ensure your condition is managed appropriately.

A number of medications are currently being used to manage Lupus in daily life. Dr. Anca Akanase gives a YouTube talk on some of the issues involved in medications taken during treatment of lupus.

NSAIDs Medications

NSAIDs stands for “non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs.” It is a category of medications that are commonly used for pain, for lowering fever and for reducing the inflammation of tissues that often leads to pain.

These drugs are extremely useful and effective for these purposes and are widely prescribed for a variety of conditions. The category includes both over-the-counter medications that you find at your local drugstore, as well as prescription medications in higher doses and with different formulations.

Over-the-counter NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. Prescription NSAIDs include oxaprozin, naproxen, diclofenac, etodolac, indomethacin, nabumetone, and Vimovo.

These drugs are often used to reduce muscle pain, joint pain, headache, menstrual pain, toothache, and aches and pains from flu.

In cases of lupus, NSAIDs are given to reduce muscle and joint pain, as well to reduce inflammation in these and other tissues.

Because they are milder than other types of lupus medications, they can be given either alone or in combination with other drugs. Large amounts of NSAIDs can cause side effects, such as stomach ulcers or other gastrointestinal distress.

According to the National Resource Center on Lupus, NSAIDs given over a period of time can also reduce blood flow to the kidneys, so patients should take them only as directed by their physicians and should report any unusual symptoms to their doctors immediately.

Steroids

Corticosteroid drugs often referred to as “steroids,” are in a category of medications that function like naturally occurring hormones produced by the adrenal glands.

These drugs should not be confused with the anabolic steroids used by bodybuilders to increase muscle mass. Corticosteroids are used to quickly reduce inflammation, swelling, warmth, and tenderness in affected tissues.

They reduce the immune system’s response that is triggered when lupus occurs. A National Institutes of Health study notes that corticosteroids can help to extend longevity for patients with lupus.

Steroid drugs can be taken in pill form to reduce pain and inflammation in muscles and joints. It can also be injected directly into the joints or muscles. It can also be used in a topical cream to reduce skin inflammation that occurs in cases of lupus.

Generally, physicians prescribe steroids in the lowest dose necessary to provide an effective result. A number of side effects are associated with steroid use, including weight gain, a rounded face shape, acne, fluid retention, fragile skin, easy bruising, excitability, insomnia, and depression. Steroids can also cause stunted growth in children.

Long-term use of steroids is associated with increased risk for wound infection, osteoporosis, muscle weakness and cataract development.

Because of these risks, your physician will carefully monitor your use of steroid medications and change or limit the dosage as needed.

Antimalarial Drugs

Antimalarial drugs are those that have been developed to prevent and treat malaria, a disease that is prevalent in tropical areas of the world where mosquitoes transmit the microscopic parasite through their bites.

The drugs work by killing the protozoa in the liver or red blood cells. Some of these medications are effective in preventing the parasitic infection. Others are good for both prevention and treatment of malaria.

During the time of the 2nd World War, it was also found that these drugs could be used to reduce the symptoms of lupus.

Antimalarial drugs can help to reduce joint and muscle pain, improve skin rashes, reduce inflammation of the lining of the heart and lungs, as well as relieve the fatigue and fever that are characteristic of the disease.

They also help to protect the individual against UV light. The drugs work by reducing the effects of the immune system, but without causing additional risk of infection, which makes these drugs useful for treating conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

The most common types of antimalarial drugs used for lupus include hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, and quinacrine.

According to the Johns Hopkins Lupus Center, individuals with lupus who take antimalarial drugs live longer than those that do not.

However, when lupus has progressed to a stage in which internal organs have been affected, additional types of medications are needed to control the disease. Antimalarial drugs can generally be used in combination with other drugs to reduce the symptoms of lupus.

Immunosuppressive Medications

Immunosuppressives are a category of drugs that work to reduce the strength of the body’s immune system. These drugs are often used to treat autoimmune diseases in which the individual’s immune system functions abnormally, attacking healthy tissues instead of bacteria and viruses.

This dysfunction occurs in conditions such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and lupus. These medications are also referred to as “anti-rejection drugs” when they are used to suppress the immune system from rejecting transplanted organs.

Commonly used immunosuppressive drugs include azathioprine, cyclosporine, methotrexate, leflunomide, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil and nitrogen mustard.

These medications may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bladder problems, hair loss or liver damage. According to the Mayo Clinic, these drugs can also increase the risk for cancer.

Blood tests are often used to monitor the safe dosage of these drugs. Women who are pregnant may become pregnant or who are nursing should not take these medications.

In addition, the medications can interact with other drugs you may be taking. Your doctor will talk to you about side effects and other issues that may be relevant to your treatment.

DHEA

Dehydroepiandrosterone, shortened to DHEA, is a hormone that is produced naturally by the adrenal glands in the human body. A synthetic form of DHEA is produced in laboratories and is used as a supplement.

Although supplements are generally not recommended for individuals who have been diagnosed with lupus, your physician may advise you to take DHEA.

Some studies indicate that this supplement can help to reduce hair loss, fatigue, joint pain and cognitive difficulties that are often experienced in lupus patients.

The WebMD site notes that DHEA can be useful in helping muscle pain and mouth ulcers that are common in lupus. However, you should only take DHEA as instructed by your physician.

DHEA can have side effects, such as increased growth of facial hair, acne, excessive sweating and lowered production of HDL, the “good” type of cholesterol. Men with lupus should generally not take this supplement.

Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant or nursing mothers should not take DHEA. Individuals who have cancer that is affected by hormones should also avoid taking DHEA, as well as those who have a family history of such cancers.

If you are already under hormone therapy for a condition, you should not take DHEA. If your physician is considering putting you on DHEA supplements, you should have a lengthy discussion weighing its benefits against its drawbacks.

Taking Other Supplements

A number of supplements, herbs and fish oils have been suggested for the treatment of lupus symptoms by various alternative medicine sources.

However, none of these methods have been proven to be effective in scientific research. In fact, some herbs can react with lupus medications, causing unpleasant, or even dangerous, side effects.

Patients who have been diagnosed with lupus should avoid taking any additional supplement before having it approved by their physicians.

Medical treatment of the symptoms of lupus can be important in maintaining a favorable quality of life and to prevent the organ damage that can result from severe cases of the disease.

If you have lupus, regular communication with your physician will help you to receive the medications and treatment you need to ensure good management of the condition.

A number of organizations are available online to provide research on new treatments and medications that can help to control lupus symptoms for better quality of life for patients who suffer from this mysterious and troubling disease.

Though lupus is a chronic, life-long disease, altering your diet to prevent the development of other associated health problems is one excellent way of controlling your lupus symptoms and preventing flares.

The scarcity of conclusive information available for a specialized lupus diet remains a frustration for patients and doctors.

However, most research suggests that diets for the control of lupus flares should focus on reducing inflammation in the body.

Health experts like Dr. Amy Meyers, Dr. Axe, and the National Resource Center on Lupus recommend controlling lupus by consuming a variety of vegetables, whole grains, and minimal cuts of fish and poultry while avoiding processed foods high in sodium, fats, and refined oils.

There is no one specific diet to treat lupus; however, there are foods you can avoid to help control flares.

The elimination of these foods combined with the addition of nutrient-packed foods high in antioxidants and fiber lower the inflammation that causes additional health risks.

The next step is deciding which approach to take with your diet. Most conventional medical knowledge suggests that cutting out generally accepted unhealthy foods and following a standard healthy diet will help mitigate symptoms of lupus.

However, there are other doctors and practitioners who recommend a more specific diet plan for those with lupus, and for anyone with an autoimmune disease.

These diets require more time and planning, but some patients have found a greater quality of life by following them.

This leaves lupus patients in a difficult position: so if doctors disagree about the appropriate dietary approach, then how do we know which approach to follow?

Should patients follow an entirely natural, holistic approach, or continue with prescribed medications and treatments?

The best option is to educate yourself about each approach and find what is right for your own body.

This will take research into understanding the specific causes of lupus symptoms, their effect on your body, and how foods may or may not be helpful in alleviating them.

The best way to know if specific dietary restrictions alleviate your own symptoms is through trial and error.

Keep in mind that it is always safest to test diet eliminations under the care and supervision of your doctor and a certified dietician.

Elevated Health Risks Associated With Lupus

Inflammation

The body’s immune system produces white blood cells to protect itself from foreign organisms.

However, in the case of autoimmune diseases like lupus, the immune system attacks the body’s cells when there is no such invasion, damaging healthy organisms and tissues instead.

The resulting inflammation can increase the frequency and severity of lupus flares.

Foods high in saturated fat like beef and fried foods increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and may actually stimulate the immune system. They should, therefore, be avoided to control inflammation.

Instead, fill your diet with omega-3 fatty acids, which may help to increase mood and cardiovascular health.

Foods such as fish, nuts, and flax are all high in omega 3’s and are easy to incorporate into your diet.

Weight Changes, High Blood Pressure, and Kidney Disease

Loss of appetite, unhealthy diet, or lack of mobility causes weight loss or gain in lupus patients, according to the Lupus Center at Johns Hopkins.

Low-sodium diets are an essential component to decreasing the risk of high blood pressure and kidney disease.

The Mayo Clinic suggests that those patients with conservative kidney disease symptoms may be placed on a special kidney diet by their doctors, combined with blood pressure medications, before moving on to more specialized treatment.

Women between the ages of 35 and 44 with lupus have a risk of heart attack that is 50 times that of the normal population.

Therefore, stick to a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fats. Avoid fatty cuts of meat, processed meats like salami and sausage, cream, butter, and cheese.

Osteoporosis/Osteopenia

Individuals with lupus are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis, according to the National Institute of Health: medications prescribed for lupus contribute to bone loss; pain and fatigue caused by lupus decrease activity and therefore bone and joint health; and 90% of people affected with lupus are women, who are already at an increased risk for osteoporosis.

Calcium is an important component of any diet designed to treat lupus. Low-fat sources of calcium include dark leafy greens, leafy vegetables, almonds, broccoli, cottage cheese, spinach, oysters, fortified cereals, sardines, navy beans, soy, and low-fat yogurt.

Vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium and increase bone health. Foods like egg yolk, saltwater fish, and liver are high in vitamin D.

Supplements may be recommended for individuals with autoimmune diseases because vitamin D deficiency is a common symptom.

Medications and Diet

According to Johns Hopkins Lupus Center, steroid medications like prednisone often cause weight gain due to the way they redistribute fat stores in the body.

Steroids may also cause your cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood sugar (glucose) levels to rise.

It is therefore paramount that anyone taking steroids for lupus follows a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.

Concentrate on whole grains and cereals, lean proteins like fish and chicken, and lots of raw veggies for snacking. Swap ranch with hummus for a dip with lower fat content.

Avoid alcohol with most lupus medications, such as corticosteroids, Tylenol, and warfarin because the combination of alcohol and these medications are harmful to the liver and stomach. Those taking methotrexate must eliminate alcohol completely.

In addition, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, and celecoxib can cause ulcers and bleed in the stomach and intestines during use. Alcohol increases this risk, especially in lupus patients.

Foods to Avoid

Foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol need to be avoided for those with lupus.

According to Molly’s Fund, these foods increase the risk of heart attack and high blood pressure and can interfere with lupus medications.

Red meat is especially high in the saturated fats that increase the risk of heart disease.

Instead, opt for meats rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines.

Omega-3s are known to protect against heart disease and reduce inflammation.

Other saturated fats that should be avoided are found in fried foods, commercially baked goods, cream soups and sauces, animal fats, processed meats, whole milk, half-and-half, cheeses, butter, and ice cream, according to WebMD.

Alfalfa sprouts and alfalfa tablets are associated with reports of lupus-like flares, perhaps due to the amino acid L-canavanine which is found in the seeds and sprouts but not the leaves. The effects of eating alfalfa include muscle pain, fatigue, and kidney problems.

Garlic contains allicin, ajoene, and thiosulfinates which activate the immune system and can cause flare-ups, according to Natalie Butler, RD from Healthline.

Though there is no conclusive evidence to prove it, many lupus patients find relief in eliminating nightshades from their diet. These foods include potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and sweet and hot peppers.

According to Healthline, avoid a high-sodium diet by passing on foods high in salts such as added sauces, dressings, and processed foods. Use lemons, turmeric, pepper, and herbs to enhance the flavor of foods instead.

Some studies suggest that aspartame can cause or trigger lupus. There is minimal evidence to support these claims, though aspartame is unsafe for people with phenylketonuria (PKU).

The World Health Organization supports the Federal Drug Administration’s approval of aspartame.

Alternative Nutrition Treatments

Functional practitioners like Dr. Amy Meyers and Dr. Axe recommend removing gluten, grains, legumes, dairy, caffeine, and sugar from the diet to treat your lupus from a holistic, anti-inflammatory standpoint. This method is not yet supported by conventional medicine.

However, some patients have found relief from following this kind of treatment. Specifically, the elimination of gluten is a controversial subject.

Dr. Meyers and Dr. Axe advocate for gluten-free diets due to the increased risk of leaky gut, which causes inflammation in the body.

These diets include an increased intake of foods rich in antioxidants, which prevent damage caused by free radicals.

Examples include kale, spinach, berries, and beets. Gut-healthy foods rich in probiotics are also part of this approach, like bone broth and collagen.

Dr. Tarrin Lupo advocates for a natural approach to treating the painful symptoms of SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus).

This video gives a short introduction to the symptoms of SLE and the foods Dr. Lupo eliminates from his patients’ diets.

For a longer explanation of the holistic approach, these doctors take, watch this interview of Dr. Brooke Goldner, who treated her own lupus through nutrition.

Doctors like these have become more popular as people increasingly value the relationship between their diets and health.

Keep in mind that all of the providers listed above have their own books and materials that you must buy before seeing the full details of their programs.

Functional practitioners like these are still few in number and their approach is not widely accepted by conventional medical doctors.

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, 1.5 million Americans are estimated to suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus. The Lupus Resource Center estimates that two-thirds of people diagnosed with lupus experience skin issues with the disorder, called cutaneously, or skin, lupus.

What is Lupus?

An autoimmune disorder like lupus occurs when the immune system of the body attacks normal, healthy tissues by mistake. The immune system normally fights off foreign substances like bacteria and viruses.

In lupus, the immune system can not recognize the difference between healthy tissues and foreign substances and attacks both indeterminately.

This video by Dr. Howard R. Smith of the Cleveland Clinic discusses different types of skin rashes associated with lupus and how to treat and avoid flare-ups.

When the immune system attacks healthy tissues, it causes inflammation and pain, often resulting in damage to different body parts.

Lupus can attack any part of the body, including the skin. When the skin is targeted, it can result in rashes, lesions, and sores.

Systemic lupus is chronic with phases of mild symptoms followed by phases of more severe symptoms. Most people are able to live a normal life with proper treatment of the disease.

What are the Symptoms of Lupus?

The symptoms of systemic lupus can vary from person to person and even change over time.

Typical symptoms of lupus include fatigue, pain and swelling in the joints, headaches, hair loss, anemia, and problems with blood clotting.

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a typical symptom of lupus. This occurs when the fingers turn white and blue with tingling when exposed to cold.

What is the Treatment for Systemic Lupus?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for systemic lupus. Treatment is focused on minimizing symptoms of the disease.

Typical treatments for lupus include anti-inflammatory medications for pain, steroid creams for the skin, corticosteroids to suppress the immune system, antimalarial drugs for skin and joint issues, and more intense immune suppressants for severe symptoms.

Diet and lifestyle can affect the severity of lupus symptoms. Patients may be able to lessen symptoms by eating or avoiding certain foods.

Certain infections can trigger lupus flare-ups, so if a vaccine is available, doctors may recommend a patient receives it.

Lupus can attack injure many different parts of the body, including vital organs. Over time, the damage from the disease can cause complications.

Some of these complications include blood vessel damage, inflammation of the heart muscle, heart attacks, strokes, memory issues, behavioral changes, seizures, inflammation of the lungs, inflammation of the kidneys, and kidney failure.

Pregnancy can cause severe flare-ups of lupus, possibly due to increased estrogen levels. This can result in complications during pregnancy and miscarriage.

Not everyone who is diagnosed with a form of skin lupus will go on to be diagnosed with systemic lupus. Most people with systemic lupus will develop skin lesions of some type, however.

What Causes Lupus?

While the exact cause of lupus is unknown, there are factors that are correlated with the disease.

Genetics, environment, and hormones all seem to play a role in being diagnosed with lupus.

While lupus is not linked to any specific gene, it does seem to run in families with lupus and other autoimmune disorders.

The environment can play a role in lupus. Certain things seem to trigger the disease.

Sunlight and ultraviolet rays, some types of medications, viruses, stress, and trauma can all contribute to a diagnosis of lupus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, females tend to be diagnosed more often with lupus than males.

Women can also experience severe flare-ups during pregnancy and during their menstrual period.

Research is ongoing, but because of the higher rate of diagnosis and symptoms in women and during surges of the hormone estrogen, it is thought that this hormone may play a role in lupus.

How are People Diagnosed with Lupus?

A diagnosis of lupus is obtained through observation of any symptoms and a combination of blood tests, urinalysis, and chest x rays.

There is no one diagnostic test for lupus, but a physician will look for common signs and symptoms like rashes, mouth ulcers, arthritis, hair thinning and hair loss, and cardiac issues like murmurs and irregular heartbeats.

What is Skin Lupus?

There are three different forms of cutaneous, or skin, lupus. These include chronic discoid lupus, subacute cutaneous lupus, and acute cutaneous lupus.

While most people who are diagnosed with systemic lupus will go on to have effects on their skin, only one out of ten people who experience skin lupus will develop systemic lupus.

Chronic discoid lupus is named after the disk-shaped sores that appear on the skin.

These lesions typically show up on the scalp and face but can occur anywhere on the body. This rash is often one of the first signs of systemic lupus.

The lesions that occur with chronic discoid lupus are red, thick, and scaly. They can be unsightly, but usually, do not create itchiness or pain. The lesions can cause scarring and discoloration of the skin over time.

When the discoid lesions occur on the scalp, they can result in hair loss which can become permanent if scarring occurs.

Discoid lesions can also occur as ulcers in the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose.

Lesions that have occurred on the skin and inside the mouth are susceptible to cancers occurring later in life. Patients with long-standing lesions should be regularly screened for skin and oral cancers.

Like other types of skin lupus, the lesions can very sensitive to light, like sunlight.

Avoiding the strong sunlight, using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and even limiting exposure to indoor fluorescent lighting can help alleviate the lesions.

Subacute cutaneous lupus lesions are red and scaly ring-shaped areas. These lesions have distinct borders.

The lesions typically occur on areas of the skin exposed to the sun most often, like arms, shoulders, neck, and the trunk.

Itching and scarring do not typically occur with these lesions, but they can become discolored over time.

These lesions are also sensitive to light, so precautions to limit exposure to both sunlight and fluorescent light should be observed.

Acute cutaneous lupus skin lesions happen during a systemic flare-up of lupus. Most often, the rash occurs on the face. Because it is flat and very red, it can appear like a sunburn.

Most commonly, the bright red rash occurs across the bridge of the nose and the cheeks, resembling a butterfly.

Like other types of skin lupus lesions, this type of rash is very sensitive to light, so precautions should be taken to minimize exposure to sunlight and fluorescent light.

The lesions do not usually cause scarring, but discoloration of the skin can occur over time.

How is Skin Lupus Treated?

Treatment for chronic discoid lupus is aimed at preventing new lesions, limiting scars from forming, and making the skin look and feel healthier overall. Treatments usually involve creams, ointments, steroid injections, and antimalarial drugs.

Topical treatments, like creams and ointments, help to reduce the inflammation and redness that occurs with a discoid rash.

Steroid injections can be injected into or around lesions to reduce inflammation and improve the skin’s appearance.

Antimalarial drugs, like hydroxychloroquine, are taken orally. They are usually prescribed when other treatments and medications fail to improve the skin’s appearance.

These drugs can lessen the effects of the skin lesions over time, reduce the frequency of lesions, and help the skin to delay the absorption of ultraviolet light.

Oral steroids can be used to treat severe cases of skin lupus. Steroids can reduce inflammation and also can suppress the immune system.

Oral steroids should be avoided for nonsevere cases because of the side effects they can cause.

Immunosuppressive medications can be used to treat skin lupus. These medications include drugs like methotrexate.

They lower the body’s immune response so that it stops attacking the skin and other body tissues.

These medications are typically used in severe cases due to the risk of unwanted side effects.

The expression, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, is very true with skin lupus. Preventing disease flare-ups is the first line of defense with this disorder.

Some things that can be done to lower flare up frequency include avoiding the sun, using sunscreen at all times, and wearing protective clothing like hats and long sleeves when outside.

Patients should be aware that certain types of medications like antibiotics and diuretics can make them sensitive to sunlight.

Smoking can cause flare-ups of skin lupus and patients who smoke should quit right away.

When skin discoloration has occurred, particularly on the face, many patients want to put makeup on the areas that are affected.

Some ingredients in makeup may cause additional flare-ups, so a physician should be consulted when choosing makeup to cover up the associated lesions.

For those patients left with scarring or discoloration due to long-term lesions, treatments are available to lessen the appearance of these issues.

Therapies with lasers and injectable fillers can improve the appearance of the skin, in particular on areas of the face.

High levels of inflammation is caused by lupus leading to negative effects in the health condition of a person. This can even affect every organ and part of the body.

In other words lupus is also referred as a chronic autoimmune disease where it is capable of attacking the immune system of a person by causing damage to the healthy tissues in the body and other organs in the body.

There are also people who lead a very normal life in spite of having lupus symptoms with them.

The actual effects of lupus are unpredictable causing sudden problems in the body without any common signs. For some people life can be difficult with lupus symptoms in them.

Lupus can show several symptoms in a healthy body such as rashes in the skin, insomnia, fatigue condition, pains in the joint region, headaches, etc.

In some of the cases the diagnose procedures take several years to accurately identify the problem in the patients.

There will also be people who try out various methods and medication to fix the problem, but it may not work well with them.

When a patient is diagnosed with lupus symptoms some of the medications provided today are NSAID pain relievers, hormone replacement drugs, corticosteroid drugs etc.

These medications can help in improving the condition by lowering the suffering. Though these medications are very good in providing a relief from inflammation, there is high possibility that people can easily get side effects from them.

This may be very helpful for a short term fix but in a long run, these medications and drugs can cause other health problems.

Most of the patients who take such medication are not usually happy with them. The reason why they go for such medication is because they don’t get enough relief from other remedies.

They end up using such drugs as no other choice. In order to go for remedies, it is very important that one should understand the top symptoms of lupus and their relation with other health problems.

People have reported different symptoms related to lupus. Among such symptoms the following are considered to be the top symptoms:

Fatigue

Fatigue or tiredness is considered to be one of the most common symptom seen in the patients who have lupus. Fatigue can be very difficult to handle unlike other symptoms and situations.

There are people who had been active before their lupus and when fatigue symptom hit them, they found even mobility to be very difficult for them.

People who are not diagnosed with fatigue or tiredness as a symptom for lupus will definitely come across this symptoms during their illness.

There is also a relation between fibromyalgia and lupus as most of the people diagnosed with lupus also have fibromyalgia and fatigue can be an effect of widespread muscle pain in fibromyalgia patients.

If fatigue is not treated at the right time it can also lead to other complications like depression, stress, anemia etc.

Painful swollen joints

This is considered to be the next common symptom seen in people who have lupus. Painful swollen joints or arthritis may not be visible in all the patients who have lupus symptoms but it is one of the common symptoms seen in lupus. Due to this mobility is affected.

People will also have fatigue condition accompanied with arthritis. The inflammation in the affected individual will prevent them from doing their day to day activities. Morning stiffness is also seen in the individuals who have painful swollen joints.

Sleep problems

Any health problem is usually accompanied by sleep problems. People who have problems in their body will usually find it very difficult to sleep.

There are also many methods by which people can get sleep but some of the sleep stimulators also cause side effects in the individuals.

Tiredness in the body will healed if the individual gets good sleep but with lots of pain night sleep can be very difficult to get.

Pain

People who have lupus will also have fibromyalgia accompanied with the primary lupus symptoms. Most of the symptoms of lupus are common to people who have fibromyalgia.

Wide spread pain is commonly seen in people who have fibromyalgia and lupus. Fatigue can also be an effect of wide spread pain in the body.

In some rare cases due to inflammation, regional pain and join pains are also experienced by individuals who have lupus.

As diagnosis is a difficult procedure for lupus and fibromyalgia, the treatment for pain is also difficult. People usually try out various methods to see if it helps them from alleviating pain.

Skin rashes

People who have lupus are usually exposed to skin rashes and other problems in the skin. There is also an advantage that can be seen as skin helps in diagnosing lupus conditions.

People also have a common doubt if any food that they consume regularly is causing this issue. The actual reasons for skin rashes in lupus is not known yet.

There are many researches going on to identify the actual cause of lupus. It is identified that environmental factors can also be one of the reason why people get such symptoms when they have lupus.

Natural treatments and remedies available for Lupus

In order to keep your health safe from the drugs and medications, there are many natural remedies available for lupus.

Doctors and other health practitioners have also started recommending people to use the natural medication instead of other drugs that can possibly create side effects.

Natural remedies need not be a supplement that can be consumed every day. There are also other remedies available that will require some changes to the lifestyle of the affected individual.

Exercises and changes to diet can also reduce the risk from lupus symptoms. These natural remedies can help in improving the immunity in an individual to make the immune system function as expected in spite of having lupus symptoms.

The anti-inflammatory foods will also be very helpful in reducing the risk of complication of lupus in an individual.