A lupus diagnosis can be a substantial development to one’s health. This long-term autoimmune disease causes a body’s immune system to attack itself unnecessarily, damaging healthy tissue. In some cases it can only cause skin problems, which refers to discoid lupus erythematosus, while other situations can affect nearly every organ or system in the body, known as systemic lupus erythematosus. While lupus still has no known cure, the symptoms it causes are far more manageable than they once were. Developments in modern rheumatology can help those with the disease monitor and treat symptoms to continue pursuing active lifestyles. 

How Lupus Affects the Body 

Flares 

Lupus manifests itself all over a patient’s body, coming in waves of symptoms called flares that subside with appropriate treatment. Issues like inflammation, joint pain, skin rash, fatigue, and organ problems can occur during flares. Since these symptoms apply to multiple diseases, lupus is often called “the great imitator” by those who specialize in rheumatology, mimicking issues associated with rheumatoid arthritis, blood disorders, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, and other diseases related to the heart, lung, muscle, and bone. 

Kidneys 

In people with lupus, the most common organs damaged are the kidneys. When aggressive treatment isn’t in place, long-term inflammation can damage and scar this vital organ, causing it to lose function. 

In a healthy functioning kidney, the bean-shaped organ processes about a half cup of blood every minute, removing waste and extra water to make urine, which then stores in the bladder. When a person has lupus, inflammation of the glomerulonephritis—the part of the kidney that filters out waste—causes it to malfunction, which creates a buildup of waste in the blood. Doctors can monitor this condition through routine urine samples, which can indicate issues due to high levels of red or white blood cells or protein. They might also call for a kidney biopsy to get a clearer picture of how lupus has affected this vital organ.

This symptom of lupus can be debilitating if left untreated, but there are numerous effective treatments for this condition. The primary medications in play either stop the inflammation from occurring, or they’re immunosuppressive drugs that limit the disease’s attack on the body. These treatments are often used together to minimize kidney damage, but it’s essential to work together with a doctor who specializes in rheumatology to limit the risk of auxiliary issues like infection that can occur due to the immune system suppression.  

Heart 

For some patients lupus can also inflame the heart, which can put  patients at severe risk of heart attacks and artery disease. Some of the most common issues include: 

• Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the sac that surrounds the heart. It causes chest pain and shortness of breath, and as a chronic issue, it can scar heart tissue, which can interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood. 
• Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, the muscle tissue of the heart. Symptoms include chest pain and unexplained irregular heartbeat. It usually occurs when there is inflammation in other muscles in the body. It can also be caused by infection, which can occur because the immunosuppressants most lupus patients take put them at higher risk for infection.  
• Endocarditis is inflammation of the endocardium, or the inner walls of the heart and the valves that separate the heart’s different chambers. Lupus usually causes these walls to thicken and develop wart-like growths that can become infected. These lesions can also break off and travel to the brain as a blood clot, which can be potentially very dangerous.  
• Atherosclerosis is also known as coronary artery disease. The inflammation and immune system issues in patients with lupus cause the coronary arteries in their heart to harden, narrow, and clog, allowing clots and plaque buildup to form. As a result, these byproducts cause interference of blood flow to the heart and brain, which poses the threat of heart attack in patients as early as their twenties.  

While these possible side effects of lupus paint a bleak picture, the primary way to avoid them is having a constant open line of communication with a rheumatologist and cardiologist, particularly during flares. A patient’s heart condition can benefit from a carefully balanced prescription of medications as well as lifestyle choices that can limit heart issues—like refraining from smoking and eating a healthy diet. Heart-healthy steps also help combat other likely symptoms of lupus, like developing anemia and blood clots. 

Other Health Issues 

While the kidneys and the heart are a primary concern for patients with lupus, the disease can wreak havoc throughout the body. Below are other factors to consider when consulting with a rheumatology specialist: 

• Brain: Besides the concerns of plaques and clot traveling from the heart to the brain, inflammation can also occur in this vital organ. Patients can have headaches, memory loss, poor concentration, mood changes, anxiety, and depression as a result.   
• Lungs: Inflammation of the lining around the lungs is called pleuritis. It will incite sharp chest pains upon inhalation. Meanwhile, if the lungs themselves are inflamed, it creates scarring similar to other organ damage mentioned earlier, and it will decrease the amount of oxygen the bloodstream absorbs through respiration. 
• Joints: Since lupus is an inflammatory disease, a common extension of it is inflammatory arthritis. Patients can have stiff, swollen joints that can become increasingly debilitating without treatment like medication and regular exercise.  
• Digestive System: The pancreas and the liver can get hit with inflammation during a lupus flare. It can also cause the gut to develop a condition called protein-losing enteropathy, which makes the gut leak protein. Patients will experience diarrhea as well as a reduction in the amount of nutrients that their body can absorb. 

Since lupus has such a vast variety of symptoms, it is essential for patients to mention any aches, pain, fatigue, or other health concerns to a doctor, no matter how small an issue it seems. 

Lifestyle Changes to Minimize Symptoms 

Quitting Smoking 

This habit generally has damaging implications for a smoker’s health, but those concerns are only amplified for lupus patients. Smoking increases a person’s risk for heart disease, which only increases the potential of the multiple heart health concerns that this disease presents. For smokers who become diagnosed with lupus, it is imperative to quit smoking immediately; for tools that can assist this process, a physician can create a plan to make breaking this habit possible. 

Staying Active 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that the average adult should get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week to maintain good health. Moderate regular exercise can boost a patient's cardiovascular health and strengthen muscles and bones to improve mobility and support joint health. Swimming and walking are two low-impact exercises that won't exacerbate swollen joints. Before starting an exercise routine, talk to your doctors and go slowly so you can avoid overextending yourself.  

Eating Well 

The heart health concerns of lupus make a balanced diet essential to effective treatment. Watching fat intake is especially important due to the high cholesterol levels that are common with patients of this disease. Rheumatologists will recommend a diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and calcium. They will also suggest sticking to fish and poultry instead of red meat for protein, as well as reduced salt intake to curb high blood pressure.  

Protecting Against the Sun 

People with lupus are commonly extra-sensitive to ultraviolet light due to the disease itself as well as the side effects of medications used to treat it. UV exposure can cause rash, itching, and severe burning if not protected, so patients must wear broad spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen and ample clothing coverage when spending days spent outside. To compensate for lost vitamin D intake, it may be necessary for some lupus patients to take supplements. 

 

A person with lupus needs to have a team of doctors to help manage this disease. For residents of Albany, NY, Urgent & Primary Care has general practice and rheumatology specialists to cater to the needs of an individual’s condition. From creating a plan for treatment with medications to evaluating lifestyle choices that will improve symptoms, this father-daughter team is prepared to handle lupus cases of any severity with knowledgeable and compassionate care. For more information on their full range of medical services, give them a call today at (518) 470-3458 or visit them online.