This is an automatically translated article.
The article is advised by Specialist Doctor I Le Thi Thu Hang - Dermatologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital
Lupus is a well-known autoimmune disease that can affect almost any organ in the body. If not detected early and treated properly, the disease can cause many complications that seriously affect the patient's health.
1. What is lupus erythematosus?
Lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown cause that damages many organs in the body. In severe cases, the disease can be life-threatening.
Normally, our body has an immune system against the invasion of foreign agents such as bacteria, viruses,... But in autoimmune diseases in general and lupus erythematosus in particular, the system The body's immune system loses its ability to distinguish familiar from foreign, it recognizes the body's cells as foreign and attacks by producing antibodies against most organs.
The disease is also known as systemic lupus erythematosus. The word 'lupus' is a latin word for wolf, refers to the characteristic facial erythema that resembles a wolf bite' the word 'systemic' refers to the disease affecting most organs. in the body.
Trắc nghiệm: Bận rộn có ảnh hưởng đến sức khỏe của bạn không?
Cuộc sống hiện đại khiến chúng ta vì quá bận rộn mà quên chăm sóc sức khỏe cho chính mình. Ai cũng biết rằng lịch trình làm việc cả ngày có thể khiến bạn kiệt sức, nhưng cụ thể bận rộn ảnh hưởng thế nào tới sức khỏe? Hãy cùng làm thử bài trắc nghiệm dưới đây.
2. Manifestations of lupus erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus can come on suddenly or come on gradually over many months or years. The disease affects most organs in the body, so the symptoms of the disease are varied and often worsen in the winter. Common symptoms are:
Patient has signs of weight loss, fatigue, hair loss, low-grade fever, mouth ulcers, muscle aches, pain in small joints, menstrual disorders (in female patients). These nonspecific symptoms are seen in more than 90% of patients. About three-quarters of patients develop abnormal erythema on the skin. The most common is a butterfly-shaped erythema on the face, an erythema on the cheeks that crosses the bridge of the nose. This is a hallmark of systemic lupus erythematosus. In the full-blown stage, the patient may appear lesions in visceral, nerve and blood vessels such as: myocarditis, pericardial effusion, pleural effusion, pneumonia, glomerulonephritis, confusion. psychosis , convulsions , hemorrhage , anemia . Symptoms often appear in waves, alternating between episodes is a period of remission. In the beginning, the symptoms are often vague and similar to many other diseases. As a result, it can take up to several years from the onset of symptoms before an accurate diagnosis can be made.
Bệnh nhân lupus ban đỏ thường có ban đỏ bất thường trên da
3. Is lupus erythematosus curable?
Systemic lupus erythematosus cannot be completely cured, but it can be controlled with proper treatment. During an exacerbation of the disease, the patient needs to rest, and at the same time, a reasonable exercise regimen is required to avoid muscle atrophy and stiffness.
The drugs used in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus include:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs such as: Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Naproxen, Nimesulide,... These drugs have good effect on symptoms in muscles and joints, but it has a side effect that is easy to cause peptic ulcers, so it must be taken when full. Corticosteroids have stronger anti-inflammatory effects, but also have more side effects than the above drugs. The drug is only used in cases of severe disease, already with organ damage. The common side effects of the drug are: causing peptic ulcer, osteoporosis, stretch marks, increased blood sugar, increased risk of infection, adrenal suppression,... Therefore, the drug is only indicated. intended to drink once after breakfast. Antimalarial drugs such as Hydroxychloroquine, Chloroquine have good effects on skin and joint lesions. Immunosuppressive drugs such as Cyclophosphamide (Endoxan), Azathioprine (Imuran), Cyclosporine (Sandimmun),... have many dangerous side effects. Therefore, it is only used in severe disease, the patient does not respond to corticosteroids alone.
Điều trị theo đúng chỉ dẫn của bác sĩ để kiểm soát bệnh
Need a healthy life, avoid psychological trauma, be active. Ultraviolet rays in the sun should be avoided as much as possible, because it often initiates or aggravates exacerbations of the disease. Absolutely do not stop suddenly, especially corticosteroids, because doing this is also the cause of an exacerbation of the disease. Thus, lupus erythematosus cannot be completely cured, but if the patient adheres to treatment, the disease can be controlled. At the same time, patients need to have a healthy lifestyle, avoid environmental agents to avoid serious disease progression or lead to dangerous complications. In particular, do not suddenly stop taking the drug without a doctor's prescription.
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