“Understanding Lupus: the available treatments you didn´t know”
A few weeks ago, Selena Gomez openly talk about lupus, a condition she has been dealing with for a long time. She teaches us how important is to take care of our health and do all we can to improve the quality of our life. Lupus is a complex autoimmune condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage, there are many misconceptions surrounding the disease. In this blog we will explore some of the most common questions our clients ask about lupus and some treatments available to help you manage this condition. Let´s start…
What is lupus?
Lupus, also known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue and organs causing damage and chronic inflammation. Our immune system is designed to protect our bodies from foreign invaders like batteries and viruses, but instead our immune system mistakes and attacks our own tissues and organs as if they were foreign substances.
What causes Lupus?
The cause of Lupus is unknown. However, experts believe that it can be a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors.
What are the symptoms of lupus?
Symptoms of Lupus can vary from person to person, but the most common ones are:
- inflammation,
- generalised pain, joint pain, chest pain,
- tissue damage,
- fatigue,
- joint pain,
- skin rashes,
- fever,
- mouth sores,
- hair loss- alopecia,
- sensitivity to light
- and more…
How is lupus diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves a combination of:
- medical history (questionnaire),
- physical examination,
- laboratory tests (blood test and imaging studies)
- In some cases, a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
What part of my body can be affected by Lupus?
It can affect or attack different parts of your body, for example:
- skin
- joint
- blood vessels,
- kidneys,
- lungs,
- heart,
- and brain.
Who is prone to have lupus?
It is more common in:
- women than in men (9 of every 10 people with lupus are women),
- often develops between the ages of 15 and 44,
- family history,
- some ethnic groups: African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or Pacific Islander.
Is lupus contagious?
No, lupus is not contagious. It is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues and organs.
Understanding lupus: Can it be cured?
At the moment, there is no cure for lupus, but it can be managed with proper treatments and complementary therapies to decrease symptoms, which will help to improve your quality of life.
Conventional treatments for lupus
- Medications to suppress the immune system, relieve pain and inflammation, and prevent flare-ups.
- Lifestyle changes (exercise, stress reduction, and sun protection).
- Complementary therapies.
Available treatments for lupus you didn´t know
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) for lupus
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a very gentle type of massage that improves your lymphatic flow and circulation; reduce swelling, joint pain and fatigue. It can be used as a complementary therapy to help manage symptoms of lupus, in conjunction with your conventional treatment.
Reflexology for lupus
Reflexology is also a complementary therapy. This technique involves applying pressure to specific points on your feet, hands, or ears to promote relaxation, reduce fatigue and stress levels, improve circulation, and stimulate your body’s natural healing processes.
Massage
Massage is another complementary therapy that can help you alleviate symptoms like joint or generalised pain, fatigue, and stress.
Some recommendations…
- Always work with a qualified therapist, look for those who treat you better!
- Ask your GP to help you develop a treatment plan that takes into account your individual needs and the status of your health. Your therapist will be able to help you, too.
- A complete treatment plan may include medication, lifestyle changes, and complementary therapies, such as massage therapy, reflexology or MLD.
We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!
References:
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-64676605
https://www.lupus.org/es/resources/que-es-el-lupus
https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/lupus/symptoms-causes/syc-20365789
