Facts About Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder affecting nearly 1.5 million Americans each year. It occurs when the immune system attacks its body’s own organs. 

African Americans, Indonesian, American Indians, Asian, and Hispanic people are born with Lupus in most cases; although anyone can develop lupus which can be triggered by infection, some drugs, and even sunlight. 

There is no cure for lupus, but treatment is available to help control symptoms. It’s best to start treatment at the first sign of lupus. But what is the first sign of lupus? Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because many symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, joint or muscle pain and stiffness, and fever, mimic those of other conditions. To help distinguish lupus from other conditions, the American College of Rheumatology laid out 11 symptoms that point to the autoimmune disorder. You must display at least four of the 11 symptoms for a lupus diagnosis.

1. A butterfly-shaped rash across both sides of the face.
2. Raised, red skin patches
3. Sensitivity to light
4. Ulcers in the mouth or nose
5. Arthritis plus swelling or tenderness in two or more joints
6. Seizures or other nervous system problems
7. Excessive protein in urine
8. Inflammation in the lining of the heart or lungs
9. Low red blood cell counts
10. The presence of certain antibodies in the blood (high white blood cell counts).
11. ANA test results indicating the presence of too many antinuclear antibodies 

If you think you or someone you know is displaying at least four of these symptoms, it’s time to talk to a medical provider about your concerns. Your primary care provider can examine you and your health history and refer you to a rheumatology specialist for further diagnosis.  

Be sure to ask questions and have your doctor explain all the techniques and medication you will be taking.  Also ask they types of food you need to avoid and if they can recommend a herbalist to assist you through the food process. 

• Muscle and joint pain. You may experience pain and stiffness, with or without swelling. This affects most people with lupus. Common areas for muscle pain and swelling include the neck, thighs, shoulders, and upper arms.
• Fever. A fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit affects many people with lupus. The fever is often caused by inflammation or infection. Lupus medicine can help manage and prevent fever.
• Rashes. You may get rashes on any part of your body that is exposed to the sun, such as your face, arms, and hands. One common sign of lupus is a red, butterfly-shaped rash across the nose and cheeks.
• Chest pain. Lupus can trigger inflammation in the lining of the lungs. This causes chest pain when breathing deeply.
• Hair loss. Patchy or bald spots are common. Hair loss could also be caused by some medicines or infection.
• Sun or light sensitivity. Most people with lupus are sensitive to light, a condition called photosensitivity. Exposure to light can cause rashes, fever, fatigue, or joint pain in some people with lupus.
• Kidney problems. Half of people with lupus also have kidney problems, called lupus nephritis.3 Symptoms include weight gain, swollen ankles, high blood pressure, and decreased kidney function.
• Mouth sores. Also called ulcers, these sores usually appear on the roof of the mouth, but can also appear in the gums, inside the cheeks, and on the lips. They may be painless, or you may have soreness or dry mouth.
• Prolonged or extreme fatigue. You may feel tired or exhausted even when you get enough sleep. Fatigue can also be a warning sign of a lupus flare.
• Anemia. Fatigue could be a sign of anemia, a condition that happens when your body does not have red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.
• Memory problems. Some people with lupus report problems with forgetfulness or confusion.
• Blood clotting. You may have a higher risk of blood clotting. This can cause blood clots in the legs or lungs, stroke, heart attack, or repeated miscarriages.
• Eye disease. You may get dry eyes, eye inflammation, and eyelid rashes.

Lupus is a chronic disease with no cure. This means that you can manage it with treatment, but it will not go away. Treatment can help improve your symptoms, prevent flares, and prevent other health problems often caused by lupus. Your treatment will depend on your symptoms and needs.

What Do Lupus Mouth Sores Look Like?

• Ulcers. One of the more apparent symptoms is mouth ulcers. People with lupus can develop red ulcers on the lips, the tongue, and the inside of the mouth. A white halo surrounds these ulcers, and they may or may not cause irritation. Those experiencing a “flare-up” can develop ulcers quite quickly.
• Dry mouth is often associated with lupus but is more commonly caused by the side effects of many medications. When the saliva-producing glands are attacked in lupus, they produce less saliva. Lupus can also be associated with dryness from other secreting glands such as the eyes.

Our dentists recommend frequent sips of water, specially formulated sugar-free lozenges, and lubricating oral rinses. Dry mouth, whatever the cause, puts you at risk of both dental decay and gum disease. If you think you have a dry mouth, tell your dentist. They can examine your saliva and the glands and work with your physician to help diagnose and manage the condition, whatever the cause.

Lupus Mouth Sores and Gum Disease

Periodontal Disease. People with lupus are more likely to suffer from periodontal disease than most. 

Periodontal disease occurs when the bacteria in the mouth change from being relatively healthy and friendly to infectious and unfriendly—harmful bacteria and waste products damage tissues around your teeth. Ultimately, damaged tissue is affected by the bacteria and lupus itself. Common symptoms of periodontal disease are red, inflamed, bleeding gums, possibly lousy breath, and in the advanced form of the disease, the gums recede, making the teeth look longer. If you have gums that bleed, it is a sign you need to see a dental professional.

The Link Between Osteoporosis and Lupus

Studies have found an increase in bone loss and fracture in individuals with SLE. Individuals with lupus are at increased risk for osteoporosis for many reasons. 

To begin with, the glucocorticoid medications often prescribed to treat SLE can trigger significant bone loss. In addition, pain and fatigue caused by the disease can result in inactivity, further increasing osteoporosis risk. 

Studies also show that bone loss in lupus may occur as a direct result of the disease. Of concern is the fact that 90 percent of the people affected with lupus are women, a group already at increased risk for osteoporosis.

Why exercise?

Like muscle, bone is living tissue that responds to exercise by becoming stronger. Young women and men who exercise regularly generally achieve greater peak bone mass (maximum bone density and strength) than those who do not. For most people, bone mass peaks during the third decade of life. After that time, we can begin to lose bone. Women and men older than age 20 can help prevent bone loss with regular exercise. Exercising can also help us maintain muscle strength, coordination, and balance, which in turn helps to prevent falls and related fractures. This is especially important for older adults and people who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.

The Best Bone Building Exercises 

Weight-bearing and resistance exercises are the best for your bones. Weight-bearing exercises force you to work against gravity. They include walking, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, playing tennis, and dancing. Resistance exercises – such as lifting weights – can also strengthen bones. Other exercises such as swimming and bicycling can help build and maintain strong muscles and have excellent cardiovascular benefits, but they are not the best way to exercise your bones.

Exercise Tips 

Listen to your body. When starting an exercise routine, you may have some muscle soreness and discomfort at the beginning, but this should not be painful or last more than 48 hours. If it does, you may be working too hard and need to ease up. Stop exercising if you have any chest pain or discomfort, and see your doctor before your next exercise session.

If you have osteoporosis, ask your doctor which activities are safe for you. If you have low bone mass, experts recommend that you protect your spine by avoiding exercises or activities that flex, bend, or twist it. Furthermore, you should avoid high-impact exercise to lower the risk of breaking a bone. You also might want to consult with an exercise specialist to learn the proper progression of activity, how to stretch and strengthen muscles safely, and how to correct poor posture habits. An exercise specialist should have a degree in exercise physiology, physical education, physical therapy, or a similar specialty. Be sure to ask if he or she is familiar with the special needs of people with osteoporosis associated with Lupus. 

Foods to Strengthen Bones

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps enhance calcium absorption in the body and helps with bone formation. When taken along with calcium, vitamin D plays a critical role in maintaining bone density.

Food sources that are high in vitamin D include:

•  Butter and margarine
•  Cheese
•  Egg yolk
•  Fish liver oils
•  Fortified cereals and bread
•  Fortified milk
•  Herring
•  Mackerel
•  Oysters
•  Salmon

Vitamin K

Vitamin K helps promote strong bones by binding calcium and other minerals to the bone.

You can increase your intake of vitamin K by eating vitamin K-rich foods. Food sources that are high in vitamin K include:

•  Broccoli
•  Brussels sprouts
•  Cauliflower
•  Chick peas
•  Dairy products
•  Eggs
•  Kale
•  Seeds
•  Vegetable oils (olive, canola)

Resources:

https://www.bones.nih.gov/health-info/bone/bone-health/exercise/exercise-your-bone-health#b

https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/osteoporosis/osteoporosis-vitamin-d-vitamin-k

Contributor: 

Harvinder S. Sandhu, MDAssociate Professor 

Weill Medical College, Cornell University

Lupus and Vaginal Varicosities are facts that they thought only pregnant women go through.

For those with Lupus it is called Pelvic Congestion Syndrome also know as PCS.

Vaginal Varicosities is typically diagnosed in pregnant woman; however men and women with Lupus can develop vaginal varicosities with their pelvic area men behind the penis women in their vaginal area. Please see symptoms below and consult your doctor if you suspect you are having these issues. As always I am not a doctor; however I do share what I have learned throughout My Lupus journey. 

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome may be asymptomatic and often times may go undiagnosed[2]. This condition can cause continuous or intermittent lower abdominal or pelvic pain, ranging from a dull ache to a sharp severe pain [1]. Duration of pain can last more than 6 months [3]. The lower abdominal, or pelvic, pain associated with PCS can be felt unilaterally,on one side, or bilaterally [1]. The pain usually is worse by the end of the day, and also with long periods of standing or sitting [3]. Furthermore, the pain can be related to the onset of mensus [1] [3].

Additional symptoms associated with PCS are outlined below:

• Tenderness upon deep palapation of the ovarian point[1]  
• Dyspareunia[1]  
• Presence of varicose veins in the buttock and/or lower extremities[1]
• Headache[1]  
• Gastrointestinal pain/discomfort[1]  
• Changes in bowel and bladder[1]  
• Fatigue[1]  
• Insomnia[1]  
• Heaviness feeling felt in the lower abdomen or pelvic region[1]  
• Lower back pain worsened upon standing upright[1]
• Lethargy[3]
• Depression[3]
• Vaginal discharge[3]
• Dysmenorrhea[3]
• Swollen vulva[3]
• Lumbosacral neuropathy[3]
• Rectal discomfort[3]

You may find more information at 

https://www.physio-pedia.com/Pelvic_Congestion_Syndrome