Find the best lupus treatment

Symptoms of Lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy organs and tissues. This means that the disease can affect different parts of the body and manifest itself in different ways.

Symptoms of lupus include:

• butterfly-shaped rash on the face

• Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling

• Fingers and toes turning white or blue due to cold temperatures or stressful situations

It is important to track your symptoms and their severity so you and your healthcare provider can keep them in mind when creating a treatment plan.

Types of Healthcare Providers for Lupus Treatment

The first step in treating lupus is finding a trusted health care provider.

For many people, that person is a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists specialize in treating conditions that affect muscles and joints. However, because many HCPs treat lupus, their primary care physician can also help them with treatment options and overall management.

Depending on your symptoms and type of lupus, other HCPs for lupus-related conditions may include:

• no way nephrologist For kidney problems, such as lupus nephritis. Lupus nephritis is a serious complication of SLE in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the kidneys, causing inflammation and organ damage.

• no way gastroenterologist Digestive tract problems, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder

• no way dermatologist Treats the inflamed, rash, and/or scaly skin associated with a type of lupus called cutaneous lupus.

• no way cardiologist for heart problems

• no way neurologist For brain and nervous system disorders

• no way pulmonologist For lung disease

• no way perinatal specialist For high-risk pregnancy and obstetrics/gynecology care

Open communication with your healthcare provider is key to managing lupus

The next step in finding the right treatment plan is to tell your health care provider about your symptoms and treatment goals as part of a shared decision-making process.

Because no two cases of lupus are the same, it is important to tell your health care provider what symptoms you are experiencing, what bothers you most, and the different ways lupus affects your life.

It is also a good idea to write down this information and define what you want to achieve with your treatment before you visit your HCP. A good starting point for defining your personal goals is to think about the activities you enjoy and how you can find therapy that allows you to do the things you love.

For example, if you suffer from joint pain every day, your personal goal might be pain management.

Lupus Treatment Options

There is no cure for lupus, but medication may help manage symptoms, reduce inflammation and redness, and reduce the risk of organ damage.

• Hydroxychloroquine (an antimalarial drug) reduces pain and redness and reduces the amount of other lupus medications needed to treat the disease.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help manage pain and inflammation.

• Steroids quickly reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation.

• Immunosuppressants reduce organ damage.

• Monoclonal antibodies help control disease activity by targeting immune cells.

• Biologics reduce disease activity, prevent flares, and reduce the amount of other medications needed to treat lupus.

• ACTH gel reduces inflammation and is used when steroids or other medications are ineffective.

When discussing treatment options with your healthcare provider, it is also important to review the side effects of the medication and any long-term effects you may want to consider.

In addition to medication, your plan may include lifestyle changes such as alternative therapies (physical therapy or chiropractic), stress relief, and getting enough sleep.