Lupus is an autoimmune disease wherein the immune system of the body starts attacking the defense system of the body itself. The symptoms of the condition depend on the type of lupus that the person is suffering from. However, some of the common symptoms of the condition include fatigue, fever, muscle pain, sores in the mouth, skin lesions, and joint pain. In some worse conditions the person can also suffer from organ damage. From studies, it has been indicated that women are at a greater risk of developing lupus as compared to men. This is believed to occur because the hormone estrogen that triggers the incidence of lupus.
The symptoms of lupus play an important role in helping the physician determine the treatment that should be given to the patient. There are a number of ways in which this autoimmune disease can be dealt with. This includes making the use of medicines that suppress the functioning of the immune system. Though this approach helps minimize the worsening of the condition, but on the other hand the person might become prone to several other illnesses that can result from exposure to bacteria. The use of these medications can also have an adverse effect on the liver and can also lead to infertility.
Another option can be the use of corticosteroids. This brings the condition under control. Now, it is possible to administer corticosteroids orally or intravenously. On one hand this medication is good enough for controlling the progression of the disease, and on the other hand it also has a number of side effects that might appear at a later stage. High blood pressure is one of the most common problems associated with the prolonged use of these medications. This can be accompanied by mood swings and this can be hard to manage.
A more advanced and recent approach is the stem cell therapy. This is out into use to rebuild the immune system. In this approach the natural defense system of the body is made useless by administering medicines. Now, there are stem cells used that will generate new cells from the bone marrow into the blood stream. At this time, some of the blood is removed and frozen so that it can use at a later stage. Once the immune system of the body is deactivated then the stem cells are injected in the body and are used to revive and restore the functioning of the system properly.
Depending on the type of lupus that the person is suffering from, the physician might recommend painkillers and also anti-inflammatory and anti-malarial drugs that can help in improving the condition of the patient. There are a series of tests conducted to determine the condition of the patient and this can be help the doctor diagnoses and provides the right treatment. If you observe any changes in your body function during the course of treatment it is important that you inform your physician immediately.
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