Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Definition

Systemic lupus erythematosus is referred to lupus and it is a serious disease that affecting the joints, kidneys, and skin.

It is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the connective tissues that appears in two forms such as discoid lupus erythematosus, which affects only the skin, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which affects multiple organ systems as well as the skin.. It is characterized by recurring remissions and exacerbations which are especially common during the spring and summer. SLE is more common in women than in men.

Causes of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The exact cause of SLE remains a mystery, available evidence points to interrelated immunologic, environmental, hormonal, and genetic factors, which may include:

• Physical or mental stress
• Streptococcal or viral infections
• Exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light
• Immunization
• Pregnancy
• Abnormal estrogen metabolism

If you are using certain drugs, such as procainamide, hydralazine, anticonvulsants and, less commonly, penicillin's, sulfa drugs, and hormonal contraceptives for the treatment of this disease, then it may also cause.

Symptoms of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

If you have this disease, then various symptoms that are associated with such as:

• Headaches, irritability, and depression (common).
• Central nervous system (CNS) involvement, such as emotional instability, psychosis, and organic brain syndrome
• Joint involvement, similar to rheumatoid arthritis
• Seizure disorders and mental dysfunction
• Urinary tract infections, possibly due to heightened susceptibility to infection
• Skin lesions, most commonly an erythematous rash in areas exposed to light or a scaly, popular rash, especially in sun-exposed areas
• Cardiac involvement, such as pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis, and early coronary atherosclerosis
• Vasculitis possibly leading to infarctive lesions, necrotic leg ulcers or digital gangrene
• Patchy alopecia and painless ulcers of the mucous membranes
• Microscopic hematuria, pyuria, and urine sediment with cellular casts due to glomerulonephritis, possibly progressing to kidney failure
• Pulmonary abnormalities, such as pleurisy, pleural effusions, pneumonitis, pulmonary hypertension and, rarely, pulmonary hemorrhage

Other various symptoms of SLE include:

• Aching, malaise, fatigue
• Low-grade or spiking fever and chills
• Anorexia and weight loss
• Lymph node enlargement
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
• Irregular menstrual periods or amenorrhea during the active phase of SLE.

Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

If you have this disease, then you should be use Possible treatment such as:

• Treatment for SLE may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds, including aspirin, to control arthritis symptoms.
• If you have this disease, then you should be used high-dose steroids and cytotoxic therapy for treatment such as cyclophosphamide to treat diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis.
• You can also use antihypertensive drugs and dietary changes to minimize effects of renal involvement.
• You can also use topical corticosteroid creams such as hydrocortisone buteprate or triamcinolone for acute skin lesions.
• Another treatment for this disease is Intralesional corticosteroids or antimalarials such as bydroxychloroquine sulfate to treat refractory skin lesions
• Systemic corticosteroids to reduce systemic symptoms of SLE for acute, generalized exacerbations or for serious disease related to vital organ systems, such as pleuritis, pericarditis, lupus nephritis, vasculitis, and CNS involvement.