LUPUS -SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

[Guest guest]

LUPUS -SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS JoAnn Guest Jan 04, 2005 18:41 PST

LUPUS -SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

natural therapy for lupus

vitamins and herbs

lupus alternative

 

Systemic lupus erythematosus predominantly affects women and is more

common in blacks. Although survival rates have improved, over one half

of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have permanent damage in

one or more organ systems.

 

Arthritis and skin manifestations are most common, but kidney,

hematologic and neurologic manifestations contribute largely to illness

and mortality.

 

Lupus often gets worse during pregnancy and with oral contraceptives.

 

Before a patient can be classified with systemic lupus erythematosus, at

least four of the following 11 disorders must be present: Malar rash,

discoid rash, photosensitivity, oral ulcers, arthritis, serositis, renal

disorder, neurologic disorder, hematologic disorder, immunologic

disorder, antinuclear antibodies.

 

At some point, over 90 percent of patients with systemic lupus

erythematosus have polyarthralgias or polyarthritis because of the

disease. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain the

mainstay of treatment in these patients, especially those who have mild

polyarthralgias or polyarthritis.

 

NSAIDs may adversely affect renal function, a special concern because 50

percent of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus develop associated

nephritis

 

Medical therapy for lupus

 

PLAQUENIL-hydroxychloroquine sulfate 200 mg tabs.

 

Side effects include irreversible retinopathy, blurred vision, hair

bleaching, alopecia (loss of hair), pruritus, rash, nausea.

 

Natural alternatives that may be helpful in lupus:

 

Fish Oils --In 27 subjects, 20 g/day of MaxEPA (fish oil) improved

symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus, while placebo did not.

Lipoic Acid

DHEA--this hormone may help but has side effects

 

Substances that may aggravate lupus include excess calories, excess

protein, high fat (especially saturated and omega-6 polyunsaturated

fatty acids), and iron.

 

Some people with lupus placed on food allergy elimination diets report

improvement in their lupus symptoms; however, this may be related to a

decrease of other substances in the diet.

 

Lupus Research Update

 

A pilot study on the effects of exercise in patients with systemic lupus

erythematosus.

 

Ramsey-Goldman R, Schilling EM, Dunlop D, Langman C, Greenland P, Thomas

RJ, Chang RW.

Department of Medicine, Division of Arthritis, Northwestern University

Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Arthritis Care Res. 2000 Oct;13(5):262-9.

 

OBJECTIVE: A pilot study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety

of different exercise therapies on patient-reported fatigue and

functional status.

 

METHODS: Ten patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were

randomly placed in either an aerobic exercise group (group 1: n = 5) or

a range of motion/muscle strengthening (ROM/MS) exercise group (group 2:

n = 5). Outcome measures assessed at baseline and the end of the study

were fatigue, functional status, disease activity, cardiovascular

fitness, isometric strength, bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar

spine and femoral neck, and parathyroid hormone and osteocalcin as

representative bone biochemical markers for bone resorption and bone

formation, respectively.

 

RESULTS: Both aerobic and ROM/MS types of exercise were safe and did not

worsen SLE disease activity. Patients in both exercise groups showed

some improvement in fatigue, functional status, cardiovascular fitness,

and muscle strength.

Both groups showed increased bone turnover, but BMD was unchanged.

Eighty percent of the patients met the compliance standard for the

study. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study shows the feasibility of exercise

for SLE patients. The potential value of this approach shows promise in

the routine management of these patients.

 

 

Index of Supplements and Herbs

http://www.raysahelian.com/lupus.html

 

-- over 300 listings -- by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes

 

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mail - Easier than ever with enhanced search. Learn more.