Best possible Treatments for Lupus (SLE)
Though there is as such no cure for lupus there are wide ranges of treatments for lupus. The treatments for lupus depend on how severe the symptoms of lupus are, how much the organs are affected, and how much the lupus symptoms do affect your daily life. The treatments for lupus help to minimize symptoms of lupus, reduce inflammation, and maintain normal bodily functions.
The treatments for lupus can be as varied from person to person depending on the symptoms since no two individuals experience same symptoms. Treatments for lupus include some self-care measures, medications and surgery.
Self-care treatments for lupus
Some self-care measures for lupus treatment include:
- Rest
- Exercise
- Healthy diet
- Protection from sunlight
- Physical therapy for muscle weakness
- Avoiding smoking
- Learning more about the lupus
Medication treatments for lupus
Though medications don't cure lupus it can ease symptoms, reduce complications of lupus and can prevent or slow down organ damage. The type of medication prescribed depends on the parts of the body affected and the severity of symptoms. Some of these medications involve some risks therefore don't take any medication without the consultation of a doctor. Some of the commonly prescribed medications include:
- Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDS drugs like aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen are generally recommended to relieve the symptoms like muscle and joint pain, fever and arthritis. Some people with severe symptoms may require additional medications. Some of these drugs cause serious side effects and should not be taken without the advice of a doctor.
- Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids such as prednisone are generally recommended for lupus treatment since they reduce inflammation at a rapid speed and slowdown the progression of the disease. But higher doses of corticosteroids can cause serious side-effects like diabetes, high blood pressure, weight gain and muscle weakness.
- Antimalarial drugs: Antimalarial drugs like as Plaquenil are useful for treating skin and joint symptoms of lupus and mouth ulcers. These drugs also help in preventing flares of the disease. These drugs show their effect very slowly and may take months to demonstrate a beneficial effect.
- Immunosuppressives: Immunosuppressives like Cytoxan and Imuran help to reduce the symptoms of lupus by suppressing the immune system and inflammation. Other Immunosuppressive drugs include CellCept, Leukeran, Rheumatrex and cyclosporine. These drugs may have side effects like anemia, nausea, hair loss, vomiting, and increased risk of cancer and infection.
- Disease-Modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): DMARDs are very effective in relieving the lupus symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes and lung problems and are frequently used in the treatment of lupus. These drugs interfere with the immune system's function and protect against the damaging effects of ultraviolet light.
- Cytotoxic drugs: Cytotoxic drugs are generally recommended for the severe cases of lupus that is when more than one major organ like kidney, liver, brain, heart or lung is affected. These drugs help to suppress the cells involved in the hyperactive immune response.
- Acetaminophen: Acetaminophen such as Tylenol is a mild analgesic used for relieving the pain associated with lupus.
Surgical treatment for lupus
Surgery is usually not recommended for treating mild or moderate symptoms of lupus. For the symptoms like kidney damage associated with lupus surgery may be considered. Instead of taking high doses of medications for a long period that too with serious side effects, a kidney transplantation or kidney dialysis may be done. After a kidney transplant or kidney dialysis the symptoms of lupus reduces considerably.
Body massage with the essential oils like lemongrass and cypress also helps to reduce some symptoms of lupus.