There is still no permanent cure for lupus which is an illness by which your immune system cannot identify your healthy body parts and germs. Even the cause of this abnormal immune system condition has not been known.
Some of the lupus treatment prescribed by the doctor only aims at calming down the immune system to reduce the symptoms such as pain and fatigue as well as to suppress permanent damage. There are even some food supplements that can worsen the condition of lupus patients that is why it is always necessary to consult your doctor before taking any of these supplements.
Lupus is considered a very serious disease. It is necessary that patients follow the doctor’s advice at all times to live a normal and longer life span. There are some who die from lupus complications that is why it is very important that a lupus patient subject himself or herself to lab tests as often as the doctor suggests it and make sure that medications are taken as directed by the medical expert.
The absence of permanent cure for lupus should not give depression to lupus patients. A precise treatment for the reduction of autoimmune activity of the patient body is suggested on an individual basis. People who have serious lupus condition such as those with damaged internal organs may need large doses of corticosteriods that are combined with other medications which suppress the patient’s immune system. Lupus patients with mild symptoms are needless of treatment but can receive intermittent courses of anti-inflammatory medication.
People with systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE require a lot of rest especially when the disease is active. Fatigue in people with lupus SLE develops when these patients sleep less or have poor sleep quality. A prescribed exercise is also important for lupus patients so as to maintain muscle tone and a good range of motion in the joints. Exercise can also promote good quality sleep in these people.
Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs are also recommended by the doctor to reduce inflammation and pain in the muscles, tissues and joints. Examples of this kind of drug are ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen and sulindac. Doctors should also try to find out what anti-inflammatory drug is suited for a lupus patient since individual response to the drugs differ. This drug should also be taken with food to reduce side effects such as stomach upset, ulcers and abdominal pain.
An antimalarial drug such as hydroxychloroquine has been found to very effective for lupus patients with joint disease, skin irregularities and fatigue. The consistent intake of this drug can eliminate flare-ups of lupus. The side effects of this drug are uncommon and include eye pigment changes, stomach pain and diarrhea. Chloroquine can be used in combination with hydroxychloroquine to treat a resistant skin disease traced to lupus.