Treatment of Lupus - Essay Example

A Discussion on Lupus Due Introduction When people think about dangerous conditions or diseases they automatically all envision virulent, apocalyptic diseases, and treatment resistant flesh eating bacteria. Once inside the body it’s a race against time and the responsibility of the immune system to help the body fight to survive against foreign invaders. However what if the very thing that should protect you from illness is the thing that attacks and threatens your life. This is exactly what happens to people suffering from the effects of the autoimmune disease Lupus. The immune system of a Lupus patient identifies its own body as a foreign and, literally, attacks itself. Although a great deal of research has been dedicated to understanding this disease, there is no cure, but there are a number of treatments, particularly, in the area of physical therapy that has shown to have beneficial results. Background In a normal functioning immune system the body produces proteins called antibodies that will fight against antigens like, viruses and bacteria. Again, Lupus is an autoimmune disease, the disease confuses the immune system and it becomes incapable of differentiating between invading antigens and healthy tissue and internal structures, which can lead to, dependent of the type of Lupus, a number of symptoms including inflammation in joints, swelling of the skin, and damage to organs, including kidneys, heart, and lungs (Crosta , 2013). There are a number of types of Lupus. Neonatal Lupus s a rare type of Lupus that specifically affects newborns. Drug-Induced Lupus is, also, relatively rare. Unlike other forms of Lupus, whose origins and causes cannot be easily determined, is directly caused due to a side-effect of certain medications. Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus results specifically in skin sores in areas of skin exposed to sunlight. Discoid lupus erythematosus presents as a perpetual skin rash, however, it is systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE that is the most common and the most systemically damaging in that it affects multiple systems including joints, skin and internal organs. When people refer to Lupus it is this type that they are most often referring to (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 2009). There is no singular cause or cure for this form of Lupus. Researchers do believe that because it appears often in families there is likelihood of a genetic component, otherwise they believe the condition can be triggered by environmental factors, sunlight, stress response, and, again, some medications (Eustice, 2013). Discussion In order to understand Lupus better it is necessary to delve deeper into its symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, and appropriate treatments, in this case physical therapy. The list of symptoms that could represent the potential of Lupus is rather long; including rashes, pain and swelling in joints, unusual hair loss, and pale or purple digits due to cold or stress, low blood count, depression, trouble thinking, and unexplainable extreme fatigue. Under some circumstances the severe symptoms of Lupus could include convulsions, hallucinations, and kidney problems (Eustice, 2013). Because of the variant of symptoms, all of which could be indicative of many other conditions, it can make the accurate diagnosis difficult and time consuming. However, when Lupus is suspected the physicians will review medical history for tell-tale symptoms, perform a full physical, blood and urine analysis, which can confirm an overactive or hyperactive immune system; another tell-tale sign of autoimmune disease. It is also important for the patient to keep a clear record of all the symptoms they are experiencing, when they occur, and how often they are experienced (Eustice, 2013).In the end, if a diagnosis of Lupus is confirmed the prognosis is not as grim as it once might have been. Treatment of Lupus, specifically, SLE, will likely include a combination of approaches. The doctor will prescribe medications including Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain and swelling, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), Corticosteroids, and topical creams to address rashes. The physician may, also, suggest dietary changes as a beneficial support to existing treatments. In addition to this a Lupus patient may be referred a counselor or psychologist in order to help the patient deal with the low energy and depression associated with the disease (Eustice, 2013). However it is physical therapy for SLE patients that are showing some strong beneficial results. Physical therapy in the case of SLE sufferers must be very individualized because the symptoms are very individualized. However this activity can help sufferers maintain function and mobility. Maintaining healthy joints in SLE patients is imperative because 65% to 95% of SLE sufferers develop arthritis, which can cause joint deformities (Miller, 2014). There are 5 physical therapy activities that seem to be the most beneficial with SLE patients. 1. Range of Motion (ROM): These exercises are intended to relieve stiffness and maintain joint movement and increase flexibility. An example would be simple stretching exercises (Eustice, 2013). 2. Strength Training: This helps the patient develop and maintain strong, healthy muscles. The stronger the muscle the better support it can offer to the joints. An example of this activity would be basic weightlifting (Eustice, 2013). 3. Aerobics or Endurance Exercises: This kind of exercise is beneficial to the cardiovascular system, but, also, helps improve overall health, and finally it helps maintain healthy body weight, which is essential if you suffer from compromised joints (Eustice, 2013). 4. Hydrotherapy: Resistance differs in water than on land. SLE patients do benefit from doing exercise within water is helpful to easily inflamed joints. If the water is warm the benefit is even greater (Miller, 2014). 5. Ultrasonography: This approach is used to provide “deep heat” treatments to affected joints, which will help to improve or maintain movement of those joints. This should not be used when there is inflammation present; in those cases icing the area is more advisable (Miller, 2014). Presently the prognosis of those with Lupus is satisfactory. Because there many extremes of the condition no single patient’s experience is likely to be identical. All the same if they follow the advice of their doctors, follow the medication regimens they are given, and participate in the physical therapy that is most advisable for them then there quality of life may be hugely improved. Although there are a number of medicinal treatments and physical therapeutic activities that aid Lupus sufferers it is a cure that is most needed. Researchers today will not be satisfied until sustainable and viable prevention or a cure is found. Future research hopes to delve deeper into genetic components, environmental contributions, and developing greater and even more beneficial therapies and treatments to understand Lupus better and reduce its threat to its victims (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 2009). Education is probably the most important element to gaining the advantage over any particular disease. Whether it is education for people’s who share the genetic predisposition and what signs they should watch for, for those who care for people with this condition, and, especially, for those who suffer from the condition. The more they understand what is happening to them the more prepared for the conditions progression and how to deal with “flare ups,” which refers to the time when the diseases symptoms are very actively visible and unrelenting. Conclusion Lupus is a frightening condition because it is coming from the inside. One’s own body is your greatest opponent. True there are medications to make it tolerable and physical therapy will help you maintain strength, maintain joint mobility, and your overall physical health, but it is a genuine cure that is most needed. We can only look to the future and hope that future research leads to greater insight into the causes and nature of the disease, in all of its forms, develop the long awaited prevention or curative agent or component that will resolve the confusion in the patient’s immune system. This is a worthy endeavor deserving of future, dedicated study and research. References Crosta , P. (2013, August). What is lupus?. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/lupus/ Eustice, C. (2013, October 27). Lupus is not a simple disease. Retrieved from http://arthritis.about.com/od/lupus/ss/doihavelupus_8.htm Miller, J. P. (2014, January 16). Physical medicine and rehabilitation for systemic lupus erythematosus. Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/305578-overview National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (2009, October). What is lupus? fast facts: An easy-to-read series of publications for the public. 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