Lupus can be difficult to diagnose and even harder to live with. However, with the right treatments, you don’t have to suffer. At Arthritis and Osteoporosis Treatment Center, we are here to give you all the information you need to manage your pain and get back to doing the things you love. Take the quiz below and learn more about lupus so you can start treatment right away.
What is lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to mistake healthy tissue for harmful viruses or bacteria. As a result, the body produces antibodies that attack, damage and destroy healthy tissue. This results in chronic pain and inflammation for patients suffering from the disease.
Can men get lupus?
Anyone can be diagnosed with lupus at any time, but the average age of those diagnosed is between 15 and 44 years. About 90 percent of patients currently living with lupus are women. Because of this, there is a myth that men do not get the disease. Men can get lupus, and research shows that their symptoms can be even more severe.
What are the symptoms of lupus?
Symptoms of lupus can be difficult to distinguish from those of other autoimmune diseases. Patients with the disease typically suffer from joint or muscle pain, stiffness, or swelling. It can also cause recurring fever, increased fatigue, and painful breathing.
There are also several physical indicators of lupus, including hair loss. Patients often experience a red, flaky rash on their nose, cheeks, or other parts of the body. Additionally, lupus can result in dry mouth or recurring sores.
How Long Do Lupus Flares Last?
Patients suffering from lupus experience worsened symptoms during periods known as flare-ups. These flare-ups can occur at any time and last one to three weeks. Symptoms can be mild or severe, and these episodes are often caused by sun exposure and physical or emotional stress.
Treatment options for lupus
Although there is currently no cure for lupus, there are many treatment options and effective lifestyle changes that minimize painful symptoms and prevent flare-ups. Hydroxychloroquine is the mainstay of therapy for preventing disease progression and organ involvement. Other disease-modifying antirheumatic agents are also used to treat various disease manifestations. The advent of biologics such as Benlysta and now Saphnelo have been game changers in managing lupus.
It is also recommended that lupus patients exercise regularly and avoid prolonged sun exposure to prevent flare-ups. Visit your rheumatologist often and follow an anti-inflammatory diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and oily fish to reduce painful symptoms.
Schedule an appointment at our Orange Park office in Jacksonville, Florida
If you are having trouble managing your lupus symptoms, make an appointment with one of our experienced lupus doctors. At AOTC we ensure that you receive the specialist care you deserve. Schedule an appointment with our rheumatologists in Jacksonville, FL today.
Lupus Self-Assessment Quiz
Still not sure if an appointment with an arthritis doctor is right for you? Answer these questions to find out if it’s time to discuss your symptoms and treatment options with a rheumatologist.
