Women's Interests

Residing with Lupus

Living with Lupus Infographic. Click image to view PDF

Lupus is an autoimmune illness that may trigger irritation and ache all through the physique. There’s no treatment for lupus, however it may be managed and handled.

Lupus therapy objectives

Handle signs
Lupus signs like muscle ache, fever, rashes, fatigue, hair loss and eye issues can intervene with every day life.
Cut back irritation
The irritation brought on by lupus can have an effect on many components of the physique, together with your joints, pores and skin, kidneys, blood cells, mind, coronary heart and lungs.
Forestall flares
Flares may be delicate, or they are often critical sufficient to disrupt — and even threaten — your life.
Decrease organ harm
Lupus could cause main, irreversible harm to the kidneys, lungs and different organs.

Lupus flares can enhance an individual’s threat of organ harm.

Kinds of lupus therapy

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAIDs) — used to cut back irritation, ache and fever

  • Steroids — work shortly to reduce ache and irritation by curbing overactive white blood cells

  • Antimalarials (medicine used to deal with malaria) — management signs and flares by decreasing proteins within the blood that assault wholesome cells

  • B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) protein inhibitor — a kind of drug often known as a biologic that will scale back the variety of irregular B cells regarded as an issue for folks with lupus

  • Immunosuppressives (together with some chemotherapy medicine) — assist cease your immune system from attacking your physique’s wholesome tissue

  • Way of life modifications — staying out of the solar and reducing stress may help maintain your signs beneath management

Issues associated to lupus may have their very own remedies, resembling:

  • Antibiotics for infections
  • Statins for top ldl cholesterol
  • Anticonvulsants for seizures
  • Vitamin D for kidney issues

Managing lupus

Some life-style modifications may help maintain your lupus beneath higher management.

Defend your self from the solar

Decrease your stress

Get good sleep

Carry out low-impact bodily exercise

Don’t smoke

Discovering the appropriate therapy

Lupus is a sophisticated sickness that impacts everybody in a different way. So, it’s essential for scientists to continue to learn about and growing remedies for lupus.

It’s additionally essential so that you can advocate for your self. Speak to your healthcare supplier about growing an individualized therapy plan that will help you reside your greatest life.

This instructional useful resource was created with assist from Novartis, a 2023 HealthyWomen Company Advisory Council member.