Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect multiple parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys. There are several types of lupus, with systemic lupus erythematosus being the most common. Diagnosis of SLE requires that a patient exhibit at least 4 of 11 specific clinical criteria, including symptoms such as butterfly rash, painful joints, pleuritis, and kidney abnormalities. While there is no known cure for lupus, treatment focuses on reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune system using medications like NSAIDs, antimalarial drugs, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive drugs. Lifestyle changes like exercise can also help manage symptoms and

1. Lupus By Devona Thomas

2. What is Lupus Is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys.

3. Types of Lupus Systemic erythematosus: most common mild to servere. Cutaneous: sores butterfly rash on the nose, rash on face. Drug induced: certain prescription drugs. hydralazion ( hypertension) procainamide ( irregular heart rhythms) isoniazid (tuberculosis) Most common in men. Neonatal lupus: Infants of women who have lupus and caused by antibodies.

4. 11 criteria used for diagnosing systemic lupus erythematosus marlar butterfly rash discoid skin rash (patchy redness with hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation that can cause scarring), photosensitivity (skin rash in reaction to sunlight [ultraviolet light] exposure), mucous membrane ulcers (spontaneous ulcers of the lining of the mouth, nose, or throat), arthritis (two or more swollen, tender joints of the extremities), pleuritis or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining tissue around the heart or lungs, usually associated with chest pain upon breathing or changes of body position), kidney abnormalities (abnormal amounts of urine protein or clumps of cellular elements called casts detectable with a urinalysis), brain irritation (manifested by seizures [convulsions] and/or psychosis), blood-count abnormalities (low counts of white or red blood cells, or platelets, on routine blood testing), immunologic disorder (abnormal immune tests include anti-DNA or anti-Sm [Smith] antibodies, falsely positive blood test for syphilis, anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, or positive LE prep test), antinuclear antibody (positive ANA antibody testing [antinuclear antibodies in the blood]). http://www.medicinenet.com/systemic_lupus/page3.htm#4howis

5. Signs/Symptoms Last longer 6 weeks Extreme fatigue Headaches Painful or swollen joints Fever Anemia Mouth or nose ulcer Hair loss

6. Facts Swelling in feet, legs, hands, and around eyes. About 1.5 million Americans have this disease. 5 million throughout the world get it. More than 16,000 new cases yearly. 90% of women have it. People of color. No cure at this time.

7. Causes Genes Environment ultraviolet rays from the sun sulfa drugs penicillin or other antibiotic drugs infection, colds or viral illness, emotion stress, and exhaustion

8. Medications Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs These drugs are the most commonly prescribed drugs in the treatment of lupus. Some patients are able to take over-the-counter NSAIDS such as Ibuprofen and Aleve, but many will require prescription strength ones such as Mobic. These types of drugs are prescribed to help alleviate stiffness and various types of pain. They are most effective in treating inflammation, rib cage pain, swelling, muscle pain and joint pain.. Lupus patients on a regular NSAID regimen may experience stomach bleeding, upset stomach and stomach pain. NSAID medications can also increase a person's risk for developing certain heart problems. Antimalarial Drugs There is no known connection between malaria and lupus, but many lupus patients benefit from using antimalarial drugs. This type of drug has been proven effective in helping to prevent lupus flares. Antimalarial drugs can help to alleviate lupus symptoms such as swelling around the lungs and heart, fatigue, joint pain and skin rashes. The most common antimalarialdrugs used in the treatment of lupus are Aralen and Plaquenil and many healthcare professionals fee that Plaquenil is more effective and therefore prescribed more often, but Aralen is considered safer. Lupus patients who are on a regular antimalarial drug regiment may experience vision problems and muscle weakness. Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/health/arthritis/articles/37318.aspx#ixzz1Gp0GlFzk

9. Cont. Corticosteroids This type of medication is effective in controlling the major organ involvement that may occur with lupus. This type of medication can also be effective in relieving fatigue, joint pain, inflammation, muscle pain and can aid in suppressing the immune system. The most commonly prescribed corticosteroids include methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone and dexamethasone. These medications can cause some serious side effects include osteoporosis, infection, high blood pressure, weight gain, bruising easily and diabetes. Lupus patients taking corticosteroids need to be heavily and regularly monitored by their doctor. Immunosuppressive Drugs used in the most aggressive and serious forms of lupus. Imuran and Cytoxan are the most commonly prescribed. Those taking these type of drugs who also have kidney problems may need to take CellCept (another immunosuppressive drug) as well. Immunosuppressive drugs are used to help reduce the number of flare-ups and to make the symptoms less severe by suppressing the immune system. These drugs can cause some serious side effects including liver damage, increased cancer risk, infertility and increased infection risk. Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/health/arthritis/articles/37318.aspx#ixzz1Gp0WjmLS

10. Benefits from Exercise Reduce or minimize stress Help to keep your heart healthy Improve muscle stiffness Increase muscle strength Help prevent osteoporosis Increase range of motion All exercise plans should be discussed with physician or exercise specialist.

11. Risk factors Swollen joints Muscle pain possible harm

12. YouTube videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC71qpgf2mc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEzH5ANQJYQ

13. Resources http://www.medicinenet.com/systemic_lupus/page3.htm#4howis http://www.brighthub.com/health/arthritis/articles/37318.aspx#ixzz1Gp0WjmLS Youtube.com http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/lupus