Lupus – Treatment Options
Presently there is no available cure for treating lupus or any novel drug for its treatment in the past five decades, though there is ongoing research and clinical trials for a host of new-fangled drugs.
Nevertheless, early detection and prompt medical treatment could majorly aid in curbing the disease and its niggling symptoms. Effectual lupus treatment comprises of lowering the intensity of the symptoms, allaying pain and inflammation, aids in maintaining normal functioning and averting any grave escalations.
As the disease has a varying affect on each person, the treatments are meted out after taking into consideration the particular problem that is affecting that individual. Doses and medicines would also be different dependant on how severe the disease is.
When mild or moderate levels of lupus symptoms are present, then the medications normally employed in the treatment are as follows:
- Administration of NSAIDs or Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, naproxen sodium (Alexe) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Commonly noted side effects of consuming NSAIDs are stomach bleeding and heightened chances of cardiovascular ailments.
- Though there is no identified association between malaria and lupus, but antimalarial drugs like hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) have been noted to be beneficial in relieving lupus symptoms and in averting flare-ups. The cited side effects are eye-sight problems and muscular weakness.
- Administration of corticosteroids that have anti-inflammatory properties. Grave long-lasting side effects are increased weight, bruising easily, osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension and raised chances of getting infection. The chances of developing osteoporosis could be lowered by daily intake of supplements like calcium and vitamin D.
When acute or belligerent symptoms of lupus are appearing, then the below stated treatments are usually adopted.
- High intravenous or oral doses of corticosteroids for curbing the perilous symptoms of lupus. Yet, grave side effects have been cited like moodiness, hypertension, infections and osteoporosis. Usually doctors give the smallest possible dosage for controlling the symptoms, slowing weaning of the dose over a span of time.
- Immunity suppressing drugs like cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) and azathioprine (Imuran) could be beneficial in extreme lupus patients. These also have a risk of grave side effects like raised chances of infection, liver cirrhosis, sterility and raised likelihood of cancer.
Other line of treatments employed for particular signs and symptoms comprise of:
- Keeping away from exposure to sun and always using sunscreens to avert skin rashes. Fluorescent light sources that might be used indoors could also elicit skin rashes in certain persons with lupus. Topical application of corticosteroids might be used for treating skin rashes alongside oral intake of steroids and anti-malarial medications.
- Medicines for treating weariness and exhaustion. Sleep disturbances, depressive tendencies and inadequately curbed pain are all probable reasons for causing fatigue that would be treated by the doctor who would recommend corticosteroid and anti-malarial medicines when the reason behind fatigue is undetermined.
- Heart and lung inflammation that leads to chest pain are treated with NSAID’s, corticosteroids and anti-malarial medicines.
Alongside taking the appropriate medications, doctors advocate patients ailing from lupus to take proper care of themselves. By adopting healthy changes in their lifestyles, patients often note an appreciable difference in the intensity and extent of severity in the flare-up stage.
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