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(April 6, 2006)
Although it is not a condition many of us hear about often, when Lupus strikes, it can be a debilitating, not only to the patient, but to the family and loved ones as well.
Lupus primarily affects women of childbearing age. Its cause is unknown, but is believed to involve both genetic inheritance and factors in the environment. Whatever the cause, people with Lupus develops antibodies against substances in their own bodies, including DNA. These antibodies cause widespread damage and are believed to be primarily responsible for the many symptoms of this disease. While it can affect women and men of any age, it's two-to-three times more likely to affect African Americans. It occurs 10 to 15 times more frequently among adult females than adult males, and most often affects people aged 15 to 44.
The precise reason for the abnormal autoimmunity that causes lupus is not known. Inherited genes, viruses, ultraviolet light, and drugs may all play some role. Genetic factors increase the tendency of developing autoimmune diseases, and autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis , and immune thyroid disorders are more common among relatives of patients with lupus than the general population. Some scientists believe that the immune system in lupus is more easily stimulated by external factors like viruses or ultraviolet light. Sometimes, symptoms of lupus can be precipitated or aggravated by only a brief period of sun exposure.
Dozens of prescribed medications have been reported to trigger Lupus; however, more than 90% of this "drug-induced lupus" occurs as a side effect of one of the following six drugs: hydralazine (used for high blood pressure), guanidine and procainamide (used for abnormal heart rhythm), phenytoin (used for epilepsy), isoniazide (used for tuberculosis), d- penicillamine (used for rheumatoid arthritis). These drugs are known to stimulate the immune system and cause Lupus. Fortunately, drug-induced Lupus is infrequent (accounting for less than 5% of Lupus among all patients with Lupus) and usually resolves when the medications are discontinued.
It also is known that some women with Lupus can experience worsening of their symptoms prior to their menstrual periods. This phenomenon, together with the female predominance of Lupus, suggest that female hormones play an important role in the expression of Lupus. This hormonal relationship is an active area of ongoing study by scientists.
Lupus may begin with such symptoms as fatigue, weight loss, fever, malaise, and loss of appetite. Other common early symptoms include muscle pain, joint pain, and facial rash. As Lupus progresses, symptoms may develop in virtually every part of the body. Kidney damage is one of the most devastating effects of Lupus, but many other serious problems may develop as well, including seizures, mental impairment, anemia, and inflammation of the heart, blood vessels, eyes, and digestive tract.
Close physician supervision is always required with lupus due to the risk of complications in so many organs.
There is a growing temptation by those affected with Lupus to, out of frustration, turn to “alternative medicine” for treatment options. It is important to weigh this decision carefully. Indeed there is some promise in some herbal and supplemental products, often these can result in further complication, or worse.
Good nutrition is an important part of the overall treatment plan for your lupus. A well-balanced diet provides the necessary fuel for your body to carry on its normal functions. Although there are no specific dietary guidelines for people with lupus, there are some nutrition issues that you should know about. If any of these issues become a problem for you, talk with your doctor or nurse. They will be able to provide you with additional information and can refer you to a registered dietitian if necessary.
One prominent example is the herb alfalfa, which contains a substance called L-canavanine, which can worsen Lupus or bring it out of remission. People with Lupus should avoid alfalfa entirely.
Various herbs and supplements may interact adversely with drugs used to treat lupus. There is no cure for lupus. Therapies may include painkilling and anti-inflammatory medications, and drugs that suppress the overactive immune system.
Tobacco has negative effects on the cardiovascular system, lung & stomach. Lupus patients are particularly prone to vascular problems such as Raynaud's phenomena, which tobacco can greatly exacerbate. Medication induced stomach problems are also significantly worsened by tobacco use. Alcohol can interact with anti-inflammatory drugs & steroids to cause significant gastrointestinal problems such as peptic ulcer or gastritis. It can also interact with sedatives & narcotic painkillers to amplify their effects.
Although much is still not known about the nutritional factors in many kinds of disease, no one questions the necessity of a well-balanced diet. Fad diets, advocating an excess or an exclusion of certain types of foods, are much more likely to be detrimental than beneficial in any disease, including lupus. Scientists have shown that both antibodies and other cells of the immune system may be adversely affected by nutritional deficiencies or imbalances. Thus, significant deviations from a balanced diet may have profound effects on a network as complex as the immune system.
There have been suggestions about various foods and the treatment of lupus. One example is fish oil. However, these diets have been used only in animals with limited success and should not become the mainstay of a person's diet.
Remember, I’m not a doctor. I just sound like one.
Take good care of yourself and live the best life possible.
Glenn Ellis, author of Which Doctor?, is a syndicated health columnist and radio commentator who lectures around the country on health issues relevant to the African-American community.
E-mail me at glenn@glennellis.com
For good health information, visit: www.glennellis.com
Lupus primarily affects women of childbearing age. Its cause is unknown, but is believed to involve both genetic inheritance and factors in the environment. Whatever the cause, people with Lupus develops antibodies against substances in their own bodies, including DNA. These antibodies cause widespread damage and are believed to be primarily responsible for the many symptoms of this disease. While it can affect women and men of any age, it's two-to-three times more likely to affect African Americans. It occurs 10 to 15 times more frequently among adult females than adult males, and most often affects people aged 15 to 44.
The precise reason for the abnormal autoimmunity that causes lupus is not known. Inherited genes, viruses, ultraviolet light, and drugs may all play some role. Genetic factors increase the tendency of developing autoimmune diseases, and autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis , and immune thyroid disorders are more common among relatives of patients with lupus than the general population. Some scientists believe that the immune system in lupus is more easily stimulated by external factors like viruses or ultraviolet light. Sometimes, symptoms of lupus can be precipitated or aggravated by only a brief period of sun exposure.
Dozens of prescribed medications have been reported to trigger Lupus; however, more than 90% of this "drug-induced lupus" occurs as a side effect of one of the following six drugs: hydralazine (used for high blood pressure), guanidine and procainamide (used for abnormal heart rhythm), phenytoin (used for epilepsy), isoniazide (used for tuberculosis), d- penicillamine (used for rheumatoid arthritis). These drugs are known to stimulate the immune system and cause Lupus. Fortunately, drug-induced Lupus is infrequent (accounting for less than 5% of Lupus among all patients with Lupus) and usually resolves when the medications are discontinued.
It also is known that some women with Lupus can experience worsening of their symptoms prior to their menstrual periods. This phenomenon, together with the female predominance of Lupus, suggest that female hormones play an important role in the expression of Lupus. This hormonal relationship is an active area of ongoing study by scientists.
Lupus may begin with such symptoms as fatigue, weight loss, fever, malaise, and loss of appetite. Other common early symptoms include muscle pain, joint pain, and facial rash. As Lupus progresses, symptoms may develop in virtually every part of the body. Kidney damage is one of the most devastating effects of Lupus, but many other serious problems may develop as well, including seizures, mental impairment, anemia, and inflammation of the heart, blood vessels, eyes, and digestive tract.
Close physician supervision is always required with lupus due to the risk of complications in so many organs.
There is a growing temptation by those affected with Lupus to, out of frustration, turn to “alternative medicine” for treatment options. It is important to weigh this decision carefully. Indeed there is some promise in some herbal and supplemental products, often these can result in further complication, or worse.
Good nutrition is an important part of the overall treatment plan for your lupus. A well-balanced diet provides the necessary fuel for your body to carry on its normal functions. Although there are no specific dietary guidelines for people with lupus, there are some nutrition issues that you should know about. If any of these issues become a problem for you, talk with your doctor or nurse. They will be able to provide you with additional information and can refer you to a registered dietitian if necessary.
One prominent example is the herb alfalfa, which contains a substance called L-canavanine, which can worsen Lupus or bring it out of remission. People with Lupus should avoid alfalfa entirely.
Various herbs and supplements may interact adversely with drugs used to treat lupus. There is no cure for lupus. Therapies may include painkilling and anti-inflammatory medications, and drugs that suppress the overactive immune system.
Tobacco has negative effects on the cardiovascular system, lung & stomach. Lupus patients are particularly prone to vascular problems such as Raynaud's phenomena, which tobacco can greatly exacerbate. Medication induced stomach problems are also significantly worsened by tobacco use. Alcohol can interact with anti-inflammatory drugs & steroids to cause significant gastrointestinal problems such as peptic ulcer or gastritis. It can also interact with sedatives & narcotic painkillers to amplify their effects.
Although much is still not known about the nutritional factors in many kinds of disease, no one questions the necessity of a well-balanced diet. Fad diets, advocating an excess or an exclusion of certain types of foods, are much more likely to be detrimental than beneficial in any disease, including lupus. Scientists have shown that both antibodies and other cells of the immune system may be adversely affected by nutritional deficiencies or imbalances. Thus, significant deviations from a balanced diet may have profound effects on a network as complex as the immune system.
There have been suggestions about various foods and the treatment of lupus. One example is fish oil. However, these diets have been used only in animals with limited success and should not become the mainstay of a person's diet.
Remember, I’m not a doctor. I just sound like one.
Take good care of yourself and live the best life possible.
Glenn Ellis, author of Which Doctor?, is a syndicated health columnist and radio commentator who lectures around the country on health issues relevant to the African-American community.
E-mail me at glenn@glennellis.com
For good health information, visit: www.glennellis.com
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