Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

What Is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

Systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE is an autoimmune inflammatory disease and the most common type of lupus. It causes widespread inflammation of the skin, blood vessels, joints, and other organs. Genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors seem to cause this disease.

A butterfly-shaped rash on the bridge of the nose and cheeks is characteristic of SLE.

What Are the Symptoms of SLE?

SLE has periods of flares and remission. During a flare, the disease actively produces symptoms. Once the symptoms go away, the remission period starts. It can cause moderate to severe symptoms during a flare-up. It can affect the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, heart, brain, and almost all organs of the body. As a result, symptoms vary in different patients. The symptoms include:

• Skin rashes (butterfly-shaped rash on the bridge of the nose and cheeks).

• Tiredness.

• Fever.

• Headaches.

• Vision problems.

• Hairfall.

• Dyspnea.

• Blood-clotting problems.

• Raynaud’s phenomenon.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Tender and swollen joints.

• Loss of appetite.

• Sensitivity to sun.

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• Oral ulcers.

• Anemia.

• Dry eyes.

• Memory loss.

• Confusion.

• Decreased white blood count.

• Chest pain.

• Stomach pain.

• Limbs swelling.

As it causes symptoms of other diseases, it is often misdiagnosed.

What Causes SLE?

The exact cause is still not known, but it is hypothesized to be caused due to genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. It can be triggered by the following factors:

• Exposure to sunlight.

• Infection.

• Sex hormones.

• Stress.

• Certain medications like antibiotics, hypertensive medicines, and anti-seizure medicines.

What Are the Risk Factors for SLE?

Some factors that can increase the risk of SLE are:

• Being a female.

• People between 15 and 45 years of age.

• Race (African-Americans, Hispanics).

What Are the Complications of SLE?

SLE can affect the following organs:

• Kidney (Lupus nephritis) - Inflammation of the kidneys is seen in around 35 to 50 % patients. If left untreated, it can progress to end-stage renal disease. It causes painful joints, muscle pain, fever, and a butterfly-shaped rash on the nose.

• Heart (pericarditis) - It causes inflammation of heart muscles and membranes.

• Brain - if the brain is affected, it results in memory loss, dizziness, stroke, and seizures.

• Blood - Can cause anemia and clotting problems.

• Blood vessels - Causes inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis) and atherosclerosis.

• The body becomes more vulnerable to infections and increases the risk of cancers.

How Is SLE Diagnosed?

It is very difficult to diagnose SLE, as it causes different symptoms in different people and there is no one test to diagnose it. Your doctor might take a complete medical history and perform a physical examination. Then he or she might suggest you get the following tests done:

• Complete blood count - It is used to count the number of different blood cells present in the blood. Lupus decreases the white blood cells and platelet count and also anemia.

• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) - ESR is the time taken by the red blood cells to the bottom of the test tube. In systemic diseases like lupus, the sedimentation rate is faster.

• Kidney and liver function test.

• Urinalysis - If lupus has affected the kidneys, protein and red blood cells in the urine.

• Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test - The presence of this antibody indicates an autoimmune disorder.

• Chest X-ray - It might show fluid and inflammation of lungs.

• Echocardiogram - It checks for inflammation of heart valves and heart muscles.

• Skin biopsy.

How Is SLE Treated?

The treatment depends on the signs and symptoms. The medicines used are:

Medicines:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - Naproxen sodium and Ibuprofen.

• Immunosuppresants - Methotrexate

• Antimalarial drugs - Hydroxychloroquine

• Corticosteroids - Prednisone.

• Blood thinners - Warfarin.

• Immunosuppressants - Azathioprine, Mycophenolate mofetil, and Methotrexate.

• Biologics - Belimumab.

• Rituximab.

Home Remedies:

To prevent flare-ups, try these following tips:

• Go for regular check-ups.

• Wear protective clothing, sunscreen, and sunglasses while going out.

• Exercise regularly.

• Avoid smoking.

• Your diet should comprise of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain.

• Vitamin D and calcium supplements.

• Acupuncture.

• Consume food containing Omega-3 fatty acid.

What Are the Dietary Changes Needed?

You should make the following changes in your diet:

• Limit sodium intake.

• Reduce intake of saturated and trans fats.

• Avoid packaged food.

• Eat smaller portions of meat and other nonvegetarian food.

• Consume more plant-based proteins.

• Consume diet rich in potassium like bananas and potatoes.

With proper treatment and alteration in the lifestyle, the prognosis is good. Go for regular check-ups tom avoid flare-ups. Women with SLE can deliver healthy babies if proper treatment is done. To know more about this illness, consult a doctor now.