Is lupus curable? 5 ways to control symptoms

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease that, despite not having a cure, can be controlled with the use of medicines that help reduce the action of the immune system, such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, as well as care such as applying sunscreen. daily, for example, according to the instructions of the rheumatologist or dermatologist, which helps to control and avoid crises, according to the manifestations of the disease in each person.

All patients with lupus need medical monitoring, but the disease is not always active, and it is generally possible to maintain normal day-to-day activities, such as working or leisure activities, for example.

The main symptoms that appear in this disease include red spots on the skin, especially in areas exposed to light such as the face, ears or arms, hair loss, low fever, loss of appetite, pain and swelling of the joints and poor functioning of the kidneys, for example . See the complete list of lupus symptoms to identify this disease.

The main treatment options, which are also available through the SUS, are:

1. Sun protection

The use of sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, but preferably above 30, is an important way to avoid the formation of skin lesions present in discoid or systemic lupus with cutaneous manifestations. Sunscreen or sunblock should always be applied in the morning, and reapplied at least once throughout the day, depending on local lighting and the possibility of exposure.

Furthermore, the use of clothing and hats is important to prevent the action of ultraviolet rays on the skin when in sunny environments.

2. Analgesics and anti-inflammatories

Medications to relieve pain can be anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Diclofenac, or analgesics, such as Paracetamol, which are very useful for periods when pain control is necessary, especially when the disease affects the joints.

3. Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids, or corticosteroids, are medications widely used to control inflammation. They can be for topical use, in ointments used on skin lesions to help improve them and make it difficult for wounds and blisters to increase in size.

They are also used in oral form, in tablets, in cases of mild or severe lupus or in situations of exacerbation of the systemic disease, in which there may be damage to blood cells, kidney function, or compromise of organs such as the heart, lungs and nervous system, for example.

The dose and time of use depend on the severity of the situation, in each case. Furthermore, there is the option of injectable corticosteroids, which are more commonly used in severe cases or in cases where there is difficulty swallowing the pill.

4. Other immunity regulators

Some medications that can be used together with corticosteroids or used separately to control the disease are:

• Antimalarialssuch as Chloroquine, mainly in joint disease, being useful for both systemic and discoid lupus, even in the remission phase to keep the disease under control;
• Immunosuppressantssuch as Cyclophosphamide, Azathioprine or Mycophenolate mofetil, for example, are used with or without corticosteroids, to weaken and calm the immune system for more effective control of inflammation;
• Immunoglobulinis an injectable medication, used in severe cases in which there is no improvement in immunity with other medications;
• Biological agentssuch as Rituximab and Belimumab, are new medicines that are products of genetic engineering, also reserved for serious cases in which there is no improvement with other alternatives.

5. Natural options

Some everyday attitudes, practiced at home, in conjunction with treatment, are also important to help keep the disease under control. Some options are:

• Do not smoke;
• Avoid alcoholic drinks;
• Practice physical activity 3 to 5 times a week, during periods of disease remission;
• Eat a diet rich in omega-3, present in salmon and sardines, for example, 3 times a week;
• Consume foods that are anti-inflammatory and photo-protective, such as green tea, ginger and apples, for example, as well as other types of fruits, vegetables and greens.

Check out this video, with more options and tips, to learn how to eat well and live better with this disease:

Furthermore, it is essential to maintain a balanced diet, avoiding the consumption of foods rich in sugar and fat, as they contribute to an increase in triglycerides, cholesterol and sugar levels, which can cause weight gain and diabetes, which can uncontrollability. illness.

Other precautions include avoiding vaccines with live viruses, except under medical advice, monitoring calcium and vitamin D levels in the blood, which can decrease with the use of corticosteroids, physiotherapy to prevent and treat joint pain, in addition to avoiding stress, which can influence disease outbreaks.

Lupus care during pregnancy

It is possible to get pregnant when you have lupus, however, preferably, it should be a planned pregnancy, at a less serious time of the disease, and it should be monitored throughout the period by the obstetrician and rheumatologist, due to the possibility of exacerbation of the disease.

Furthermore, the medications are adjusted for pregnancy and during breastfeeding, so that they are as less toxic as possible for the baby, generally with the use of corticosteroids in low doses.