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Arthritis (Expert Forum)
lupus arthritis
Answered by
Dr Vinod - Exercise & Fitness, Orthopedics
General Physician
Gurgaon - India
This forum is for questions and support regarding arthritis issues such as: Arthritis, Autoimmune Disease, Bursitis, Fibromyalgia, Gout, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Myositis, Neuralgia, Osteoarthritis, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sciatica, Tendinitis, Vasculitis.
Doctor's Answer
by Dr Vinod, Sep 09, 2009 11:24AM
, Sep 09, 2009 11:24AMTo: whitedimond2099
Hello!
Lupus, short for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease here the immune system of the body attacks its own cells and tissues. Specifically, the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system, and other organs of the body are affected.
However, at one point of time a patient may have symptoms involving 4-5 systems. This may later progress to involve other systems as well. Lupus affects roughly 10 times as many women as men.
Tell your sister that there are 11 American College of Rheumatology criteria for Lupus and it is recommended that if she has four or more of the eleven criteria, she should consult with a rheumatologist.
If she is diagnosed with the disease, her doctor might start her on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen this is appropriate for patients with non-life threatening symptoms such as joint pain, muscle pain, fatigue, and skin rashes. More aggressive treatment which may include high dose corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs is used when there are severe organ complications. The benefits and risks of treatment must be weighed by her Rheumatologist.
Take care!
Lupus, short for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease here the immune system of the body attacks its own cells and tissues. Specifically, the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system, and other organs of the body are affected.
However, at one point of time a patient may have symptoms involving 4-5 systems. This may later progress to involve other systems as well. Lupus affects roughly 10 times as many women as men.
Tell your sister that there are 11 American College of Rheumatology criteria for Lupus and it is recommended that if she has four or more of the eleven criteria, she should consult with a rheumatologist.
If she is diagnosed with the disease, her doctor might start her on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen this is appropriate for patients with non-life threatening symptoms such as joint pain, muscle pain, fatigue, and skin rashes. More aggressive treatment which may include high dose corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs is used when there are severe organ complications. The benefits and risks of treatment must be weighed by her Rheumatologist.
Take care!
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Take care!
Sincerely Whitedimond2099