SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which organs and cells undergo damage initially mediated by tissue-binding autoantibodies and immune complexes.
CAUSES
- Tobacco smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Exposure to crystalline silica e.g., inhalation of soap powder dust
- Soil in farming activities due use of pesticides, artificial fertilizer
- Genetic susceptibility
- Autoimmunity-inducing activation of innate immunity
- T and B cell hyperactivity(adaptive immunity)
- Persistence of immune complexes
- Environmental and gene interaction
- Mutation in TREX1 (encoding a DNAase) on the X chromosome
- Allopathy drugs. Lupus can be triggered by certain types of blood pressure medications, anti-seizure medications and antibiotics. People who have drug-induced lupus usually get better when they stop taking the medication. SLE may be induced by drugs – procainamide, hydralazine, isoniazid, chlorpromazine, methyldopa, minocycline, anti-TNF agents.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
- 90% of pts are women, usually of child-bearing age
- Constitutional—fatigue, fever, malaise, weight loss
- Cutaneous—rashes (especially malar “butterfly” rash), photosensitivity, vasculitis, alopecia, oral ulcers. Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure (photosensitivity)
- Arthritis—inflammatory, symmetric, nonerosive . Hematologic—anemia (may be hemolytic), neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, venous or arterial thrombosis
- Cardiopulmonary—pleuritis, pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis. Pts are also at increased risk of myocardial infarction usually due to accelerated atherosclerosis.
- GI—peritonitis, vasculitis
- Neurologic—organic brain syndromes, seizures, psychosis, cerebritis
- Raynaud’s phenomenon -Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods
- Nephritis:
- Blood in your urine
- Foamy urine (due to excess protein in urine)
- High blood pressure
- Swelling in your hands, ankles or feet
- High levels of a waste product called creatinine in your blood
Diagnosis
- Complete blood count.
- Kidney and liver assessment.
- Urinanalysis
- Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test.
- Chest X-ray.
- Echocardiogram
- Biopsy
Preventive and control
- Diet changes. Limiting the amount of protein and salt in your diet can improve kidney function.
- Avoid using artificial fertilizer
- Avoid using pesticides
- Reduce sun exposure
- Wear protective clothing — such as a hat, long-sleeved shirt and long pants
- Get regular exercise. Exercise can help keep your bones strong, reduce your risk of heart attack and promote general well-being.
- Don’t smoke.
- Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
TREATMENT
HOMEOPATHY