Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? SLE? What is this? What causes this problem? Is it curable? What are the signs and symptoms? How can homeopathy help you? All of this and more answered, in this post and of course our doctors always there to help you. Just fill in your details in the form down below and we will answer all your questions for FREE!

What is SLE?

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE); Lupus; Disseminated Lupus Erythematosus; Discoid Lupus is an autoimmune disease. It is a chronic condition where in there is inflammatory condition that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissue and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect different body system- including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE); Lupus; Disseminated Lupus Erythematosus; Discoid Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms are presented those of other ailments.[Text Wrapping Break]The diagnostic and distinctive characteristic of lupus is facial rash that resemble the wings of a butterfly unfolding across both cheeks, occurs in many but not all cases of lupus.

Who are more prone to SLE?

Most common in women between age of 15 to 40 years.

Lupus is more prevalent in Africans and Hispanics.

What is the classification of SLE?

• Systemic lupus erythematous: It is also known as SLE. It can any organ or system of the body. In most people only skin and joints are affected but occasionally in some cases there wasinvolvement kidney, lungs, heart, blood vessels and brain.

• Discoid lupus: It is known as chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, it is generally milder than SLE. It usually appears as a red scaly rash on sun exposed area such as face, scalp, arms, legs or trunk. People who encounter discoid lupus have symptoms only on their skin. Only few cases of discoid lupus develop SLE.

•  Subacute cutaneous lupus: It is milder form of lupus with symptoms of skin rash, sun sensitivity and joints pain.

• Drug induced lupus: It is usually a transient form that develops as a reaction to certain medications and clears up when the medication is ceased.

What are the causes of SLE?

• Hormonal factor (women of childbearing age have peak incidence as hormonal changes are higher).

• Any genetic abnormality.

• Environmental factors like sun or virus.

• Immune complex formation.

• Abnormal apoptosis.

• Drug induced lupus syndrome.

What are the signs and symptoms of SLE?

• Thrombophlebitis

• Painless mouth ulcers

• Joints pain with swelling

• Chest pain

• Headache

• Tiredness

• Anemia

• Convulsions

• High blood pressure

• Pleurisy

• Pericarditis

• Kidney disease

• Fatigue

• Weakness

• Weight loss

• Skin rash, butterfly rash over nose and cheeks

• Brittle hair or hair loss

• Red sore dry eyes

• Nausea, vomiting with abdominal pain

• Depression

• Photosensitivity

• Headache, migraine, seizures, stroke

• Muscle pain and stiffness.

• Menstrual irregularities

• Personality changes

• Sleep disorders

• Thought and concentration disturbance

• Raynaud’s phenomenon

Systems affected: Heart and lungs: Inflammation of the outer lining of the lungs may cause chest pain and shortness of breath. Inflammation of the outer lining of the heart causes chest pain and leads to other problems like heart rhythm disturbance, damage to the heart muscles and heart failure. There may also be inflammation of the arteries that supplies blood to the heart, affecting amount of blood reaching the heart causing chest pain i.e. angina or shortness of breath.

Kidney: People with SLE can experience inflammation that can damage the delicate filtering structures within the kidney, which reduces ability to filter blood and can alteration in kidney functioning and may also result in kidney failure.

Gastrointestinal tract: People with SLE may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain due to inflammation of the structure and organs within the abdomen.

Nervous system: SLE can affect the brain or central nervous system in some people causing headache, seizures, vision problems and dizziness. Personality changes and depression can also occur.

Blood and blood vessels: There may be anemia or leucopaenia presenting symptoms of fatigue and ill health. Inflammation of the blood vessels may also occur which can result in high risk of blood clotting.

Musculoskeletal system: Arthritic pains, stiffness and swelling of the joints especially of small joints of hand and feet. Muscle pains are common and there may be distortion of hands due to inflammation in the tendons. There may also be osteoporosis.

What are the investigations advised for SLE?

• Complete case history.

• Complete blood count.

• Renal/liver function test.

• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

• Antinuclear antibody test (ANA).

• Anti-dsDNA.

• Skin or kidney biopsy.

• Syphilis test.

• Uranalysis.

• Chest x-ray.

• Echocardiogram.

• Other antibody tests.

What treatment is recommended for SLE?

• Anti-inflammatory drugs

• Non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• Anti malaria drugs

• Corticosteroids

• Immune suppressing drugs

• Cytotoxic

• Gamma globulins

• Physiotherapy as an alternate treatment.

• Psychiatric counseling.

What is the prognosis of SLE?

Prognosis for lupus is mixed, and varies with severity of the disease. Prognosis of mild to moderate lupus is good if detected in early age.

What is the complication of SLE?

• Deep vein thrombosis

• Pulmonary embolism

• Hemolytic or anemia of chronic disease.

• Pericarditis, Endocarditis, Myocarditis

• Pleural effusions

• Miscarriage

• Stroke

• Thrombocytopenia

• Inflamed blood vessels.

What are the deferential diagnosis of SLE?

• Scleroderma

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Sjogren syndrome

• Mixed connective tissue disorder

• Rosacea

• Seborrheic dermatitis

• Lichen planus

• Dermatomyositis

• Lyme disease

What is the Diet and Management of SLE?

• Take proper rest.

• Practice yoga and stress managing techniques.

• Education about lupus and self-care.

• Regular dental care.

• Regular eye examination.

• Avoid going in sun.

• Regular moderate exercise.

• Keep away from people who have known infection.

• Quit smoking.

• Avoid alcohol.

• Maintain healthy diet.

• Eat much of antioxidant rich foods.

• Vitamin D supplements helps a lot.

• Avoid coffee or caffeine containing ingredients.

• Maintain good hygiene level.

• Join support group.

• Counseling by psychiatrist for depression, or if over stressed.

• Take proper medicine and maintain proper chart of medication.

• Preventive heart care.

• Regular immunization.

• Screening for bone thinning.

What are the commonly indicated Homeopathic medication of SLE?

-Arsenicum Album

-Apis Mellifica

-Hydrocotyle asiatica

-Thuja occidentalis

For more information, you can visit NIH and Wikipedia.