Lupus is an inflammatory disease where the body attacks its internal organs and tissues. With lupus, the immune system may attack any number of different parts of the body. This results in reduced performance of those parts, illness in the individual, and immediate discomfort in some cases. This is commonly believed to be arthritis (which can be associated with lupus), but it can occur outside of the joints as well. With the continued attack by the immune system, nearly any part of the body may experience inflammation — some of the parts that are affected include the brain, joints, kidneys, skin, blood cells, lungs, and heart. Lupus often causes swelling and inflammation and damages vital organs.
What Causes Lupus?
Researchers are yet to determine the real causes of this chronic disorder. Some sources say the disease is inherited. If your family has lupus, it can be passed down through genetics. However, there are some patients who develop the disease and have no family history of lupus. This makes medical researchers consider environmental factors as another cause. Some of the ecological factors under study are:
- Stress
- Lack of sunlight
- Viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents
- Particular medicines
Symptoms of Lupus
Patients who suffer from lupus undergo a cycle of symptoms, which can range from mild to serious. One thing worth noting is that the symptoms of this chronic disease are similar to other diseases making it hard to diagnose. Symptoms of lupus can include:
- Skin Rashes
- Swollen or painful joints (arthritis)
- Fatigue
- Unexplained fever
- Hair loss
- A headache
- Kidney problems
- Photosensitivity
- Chest pain
- Depression
- Anemia
Diagnosis, Preventing, and Treatment of Lupus
Lupus is considered a chronic disease that is very hard to detect. Many medical centers are trying to come up with a way to diagnose and treat this disease, but a large amount of reserach still needs to be done. In some cases, the conclusive diagnosis can take months. You may have to deal with it for the rest of your life, but you will no longer be wondering how to treat lupus if you will be implementing natural methods that keep the debilitating effects of it to a minimum. One can reduce the symptoms of lupus by taking a natural approach. This includes taking recommended herbs, dietary, and other non-invasive medicines that help in self-healing. Many who have used these techniques have recorded a decrease in symptoms of this chronic disease. You shouldn't base your treatment on medical therapy alone as they have different side effects. The best route forward is through naturopathic medicine to facilitate self-healing. If you have this condition, eat a healthy and balanced diet. Ensure that you eat a lot of whole foods and vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals. You have to limit the intake of highly processed foods that contain sugar, salt, and fat. Doing some exercises may help in overall health, but listen to your body and don’t overdo it.