About this topic
When you are healthy, your bodys immune system protects it by killing germs and cells that may cause illness. If your body's immune system starts to attack healthy cells by mistake, you have what is called an autoimmune disorder. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder. Lupus attacks the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs. The signs you may have for lupus can come and go and may be mild or severe. Some of these signs include: ‚
- Fever
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain or swelling
- Feeling very tired
- Red rashes on face
- Confusion or hard to think clearly
- Sensitivity to the sun
Some people have a form of lupus that only affects the skin. Once you have lupus, you will have it the rest of your life. Your doctors will treat the effects of lupus on your body's organs. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Take all drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Work to lower stress. This may help to ease the problems or signs that come about from lupus.
- Eat a healthy diet. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Wear protective clothing, eyewear, and sunscreen when in the sun.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may send you to an expert for care of your lupus. This might be a doctor who treats immune disorders or one who treat diseases that cause joint pain and swelling.
- Your doctor may send you to specialist doctors if you have any problems with your organs like the heart or lungs.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Treat a skin rash
- Slow down your immune system
- Block cell growth
Talk with your doctors before taking any new drugs. Make sure they know you have lupus. Some drugs may make this problem worse. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
Staying active is important when you have lupus. This will help to keep your muscles from getting weak. Talk with your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Heart problems
- Lung problems
- Kidney problems
- Blood clots in the legs
- Stroke
- Low platelet count
- Low red blood cell count
- Loss of baby if pregnant
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
There is no way to prevent lupus. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Eyesight problems like seeing double, blurred eyesight, or loss of eyesight
- Seizure
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Blood in urine or passing less urine
- Numbness, tingling, or swelling in legs, feet, or hands
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Join a support group. Talking with and learning from other people who have this problem may help.
- Talk with your doctor if you plan to get pregnant.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you why it is important to stay active.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a stroke.
Where can I learn more?
Arthritis Foundation ‚
http://www.arthritis.org/conditions-treatments/disease-center/systemic-lupus-erythematosus-lupus-sle/ ‚
http://www.arthritis.org/conditions-treatments/disease-center/systemic-lupus-erythematosus-lupus-in-children-and-adolescents/ ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/arthritis/lupus.html ‚
Lupus Foundation of America ‚
http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_learnunderstanding.aspx?articleid=2231&zoneid=523 ‚
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/38/viewAbstract ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lupus/pages/introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚