Lupus

By Samuel Verghese, Ph.D., BCIA-EEG, DAAPM

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE)

Symptoms of SLE:

• Severe fatigue, muscle aches
• General feeling of poor health Joint pain and swelling; swelling of ankles
• Low-grade fever
• Medium to excruciating pain in fingers with poor circulation
• Weakened immune system
• Red rash over both cheeks
• Small ulcers in the mouth, nose or throat
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Blurred or diminished vision
• Discolored and demised amount of urine shortness of breath, chest pain and cough
• Seizures, stiffness, a tingling sensation or temporary paralysis
• Swelling of the abdomen In same cases, high level of uric acid
• Intermittent, irregular heart beat
• Depression, amnesia, insomnia, psychosis or personality changes

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About SLE

SLE is a persistent inflammatory autoimmune disease in which the body's immune mechanisms mistakenly form antibodies that attack its own tissues. DLE is mild and does not pose a threat to overall health. It is associated with the tubercle bacillus, which causes chronic and disfiguring skin disease. Other causes of SLE have been identified (such as virus, genetic and hormonal) but the precise reason is still unknown.

SLE may affect many organs throughout the body, including the cardiovascular, renal, musculoskeletal and neurological systems. Severity varies widely from mild to life threatening, depending upon which organ systems are involved and how much they are affected. The early inflammation and pain typically occurs in the joints, with swelling and pain in the fingers. The pain could become intolerable. The characteristic butterfly red rash may appear across the cheeks.

For those who suffer from muscle weakness, raising your arm to brush your teeth or comb your hair takes effort. It takes a few tries to empty the trash or carry the laundry basket. You may be ambushed by severe pain and spasms while bending down to pick a piece of paper off the floor. In severe cases, SLE may inflame and damage all the connective tissues in the joints, muscles and skin, leading to kidney or heart failure. However, many people never experience the most severe symptoms, and with integrated treatment they are able to recover and live a normal life.

Diagnosis
According to the American Rheumatism Association, diagnosis requires the presence of four of the following eight symptoms:

1. Blood tests for anti-DNA antibodies to show if you have antibodies to the normal genetic material in certain cells. The presence of a specific antibody found in the blood in 50 percent of the people with lupus is the most accurate way to identify the disease.
2. Blood test for decreased number of white blood cells and platelets, or hemolytic anemia.
3. Urine tests for excessive red blood cells and protein in the urine.
4. Butterfly rash over both cheeks.
5. Arthritis.
6. Sun sensitivity.
7. Mouth sores.
8. Seizures or psychosis.

A spinal tap, kidney biopsy, MRI or other imaging may be requested.

Treatment

Most experts agree that an integrated, customized treatment approach produces the best results.

Alternative choices are many and are useful to successfully treat the disease when in the mild to moderate stage. Although useful in the later stages of SLE, a promise of full recovery is guarded. Homoeopathy offers promising options — all of which require a trained healthcare provider to give correct constitutional remedies.
Naturopathy is very effective but beyond the scope of this article.

Biofeedback can help reduce pain and spasms and increase blood flow to the fingers. In fact, biofeedback therapy is regularly recommended far Raynaud 's disorder.

Herbal, nutritional and a balanced diet can also help reduce inflammation and pain and promote a better total wellness. Consult your healthcare provider for correct supplements and dosages.

Important Tips

• Consume mostly low fat or non-ft foods.
• Eat a diet of green leafy vegetables, brown rice, whole grains, lentils, fermented soy (tofu), fish high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon.
• Drink plenty of pure water.
• Eat fresh fruits including lots of pineapple.
• Add fiber in your diet.
• In your cooking, add plenty of garlic, cabbage and squash.
  

Avoid the following:

• Alfalfa sprouts; they contain canavein, a toxic substance that replaces arginine in the protein synthesis.
• Eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, and white potatoes when the symptoms are severe. They (nightshade vegetables) contain a substance called solanine, which can exacerbate inflammation and pain.
• (Or reduce) dairy products, caffeine, sweet foods, salt and tobacco. For some, plain yogurt eaten in moderation is helpful.
• Aspirin if you have high levels of uric acid. In conventional medicine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin are used to relieve minor pain and reduce fever. Based on the severity of symptoms, oral corticosteroids such as prednisone to reduce inflammation, immunosuppressive drugs, antidepressants anticonvulsants, hydroxychloroquine for severe skin rash, and antibiotics for infections are prescribed to manage various symptoms of SLE. Dialysis may be needed to treat kidney failure, or a transplant is an alternative.
• Sun exposure.
  

Therapeutic Tips

• Rain Drop/Herbal Massage Therapy provides pain relief. Correct massage therapy during daytime is useful to reduce spasms, deactivate active trigger points and promote wonderful relief.
• Do light chores. Allow your damaged muscles to repair themselves without causing further damage.
• Resume exercise slowly while you are in treatment. Slow exercise movements like yoga increase oxygen to the muscles and could increase the body's output of endorphins (natural pain killers).
• An herbal warm bath for soreness or stiffness can improve circulation to damaged tissues and remove muscle waste products like lactic acid.
• Get plenty of sleep.