Here are the other complications, diagnosis, and treatment for lupus
LUPUS – This is an autoimmune disease which your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Know more about the other complications, diagnosis, and treatment for this disease.
OTHER COMPLICATIONS
If you already acquired this disease, most likely you have a higher risk of getting the following:
Infection
Both the disease and the treatment can weaken your immune system, thus the risk of getting an infection is higher.
Cancer
Lupus may also increase your risk of having cancer but it is just small.
Bone tissue death (avascular necrosis)
You may experience tiny breaks in the bone and eventually the bone will collapse when the blood supply to a bone decreases.
Pregnancy complications
The risk of miscarriage can increase in pregnant women because this disease increases the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia) and preterm birth.
READ ALSO: LUPUS: Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors & Complications
DIAGNOSIS
Lupus cannot be diagnosed with just one test. It should be a combination of blood and urine tests, signs and symptoms, and physical examinations as cases can vary from person to person.
Here are the needed laboratory tests:
- Complete blood count
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- Kidney and liver assessment
- Urinalysis
- Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test
Meanwhile, for the physical examinations you need to undergo these:
- Chest X-ray
- Echocardiogram
- Skin biopsy
TREATMENT
Based on the article from Mayo Clinic, treatment for lupus may vary according to signs and symptoms. Here are the possible treatments:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Over the counter drugs (may be used to treat pain, swelling, and fever associated with lupus):
– naproxen sodium (Aleve)
– ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others)
You need a prescription for stronger NSAIDs and you may experience side effects such as stomach bleeding, kidney problems and an increased risk of heart problems.
Antimalarial drugs
– hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil; commonly used to treat malaria)
– possible side effects include stomach upset and, very rarely, damage to the retina of the eye
– when taking this medication, regular eye exams are recommended
Corticosteroids
– Prednisone and other types of corticosteroids (for the inflammation of lupus)
– steroids such as methylprednisolone (A-Methapred, Medrol; in high dosage)
– possible side effects include weight gain, easy bruising, thinning bones (osteoporosis), high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of infection
– the higher the dosage the higher the risk for side effects
Immunosuppressants
– azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan)
– mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept)
– methotrexate (Trexall)
– possible side effects may include an increased risk of infection, liver damage, decreased fertility and an increased risk of cancer
Biologics
– belimumab (Benlysta) administered intravenously
– possible side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and infections.
– depression may worsen but it could happen rarely
Rituximab (Rituxan)
– beneficial in cases of resistant lupus
– possible side effects include allergic reaction to the intravenous infusion and infections
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