Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is the most common type of lupus. SLE is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues, causing widespread inflammation and tissue damage in the affected organs. It can affect the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. There is no cure for lupus, but medical interventions and lifestyle changes can help control it.

Causes

The causes of SLE are unknown but are believed to be linked to environmental, genetic, and hormonal factors.

Symptoms

People with SLE may experience a variety of symptoms that include fatigue, skin rashes, fevers, and pain or swelling in the joints. Among some adults, having a period of SLE symptoms—called flares—may happen every so often, sometimes even years apart, and go away at other times—called remission. However, other adults may experience SLE flares more frequently throughout their life.

Other symptoms can include sun sensitivity, oral ulcers, arthritis, lung problems, heart problems, kidney problems, seizures, psychosis, and blood cell and immunological abnormalities.

Learn more about lupus symptoms.

Common triggers for Lupus flares

Common triggers include:

• Overwork and not enough rest
• Stress
• Being out in the sun or having close exposure to fluorescent or halogen light
• Infection
• Injury
• Stopping your lupus medicines
• Other types of medicines

Even if you take medicine for lupus, you may find that some things trigger a flare. For instance, your symptoms may still flare after you’ve been out in the sun or after a hard day at work, even if you are taking your lupus medicine.

Treatment

Treating SLE often requires a team approach because of the number of organs that can be affected.

SLE treatment consists primarily of immunosuppressive drugs that inhibit the activity of the immune system. Hydroxychloroquine and corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) are often used to treat SLE. The FDA approved belimumab in 2011, the first new drug for SLE in more than 50 years (www.cdc.gov).

Natural Lupus Treatment

According to the Lupus Foundation of America as well as Lupus Research Institute, people turn to diverse natural therapies and alternative medicines to help manage their symptoms.

Here are some of the most effective natural lupus treatment options:

Anti-Inflammatory Diet to Heal Gut Issues: Research shows that a healthy, unprocessed diet is very important for managing lupus because it helps control inflammation stemming from poor gut health, reduces the risk for complications like heart disease, helps build strength and energy, and reduces side effects of medications.

The best foods for lupus include:

• Organic, unprocessed foods: help reduce exposure to synthetic additives, toxins, or pesticides in non-organic foods
• Raw vegetables: promote an alkaline body, reduce inflammation and improve digestion
• Turmeric: has been used for centuries for its world-renowned benefits as a natural anti-inflammatory and pain soothing remedy.
• Wild-caught fish: provide omega-3 fats to help reduce inflammation, the risk for heart disease, and pain. Sources include salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, tuna, and halibut.
• High-antioxidant foods (vegetables and fruit): include leafy greens, garlic, onions, asparagus, avocado, and berries. These foods are high in fiber, vitamin C, selenium, magnesium, and potassium to help prevent free radical damage, repair possible damage to the joints, and lower fatigue.

 

Exercise: According to a study published in the Journal of the Arthritis Health Professionals Association, getting regular exercise is important to treat lupus for many reasons. Exercise lowers stress, helps with sleep quality, makes your heart and lungs stronger, strengthens bones, lowers joint pain, improves flexibility and range of motion, and lowers risk for complications (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

Because lupus can cause chronic fatigue, electrolyte imbalances, and anemia, it’s crucial to start slowly and not overexert yourself. Give yourself enough rest between workouts to recover and eat within a short window after exercising.

Stress Reduction: Psychological and emotional stress can set off lupus (and other autoimmune diseases) or bring about a lupus flare-up by increasing inflammatory responses. Systemic lupus erythematosus can also be very unpredictable and cause changes to the central nervous system, which leads to severe psychological distress and anxiety.

Different stress relievers work for different people, so keep in mind this might take some experimenting. Many people have found meditation, yoga, and acupuncture to be treatment modalities worth considering since they have numerous benefits for both body and mind. Other ways to help manage stress include spending time in nature, breathing techniques, exercising, keeping a journal, reading, joining a support group, and seeing a therapist.

Getting Enough Sleep and Rest: Most people with lupus need to sleep at least eight to nine hours every night, and some need to also take a short nap during the day to keep their energy up. One problem is that insomnia can also be a side effect of lupus, sometimes due to increased anxiety levels, but also due to oversleeping during the day.

Tips for reducing and dealing with fatigue caused by lupus include:

• Try going to bed before 10 p.m. every night.
• Stick to a regular sleep/wake schedule in order to regulate your circadian rhythm and fall asleep more easily.
• Sleep in a cool, very dark room, and avoid artificial lights from electronics at least one to two hours before bed.
• Give yourself 10–15 minutes in the morning to breathe and be still in order to wake up calmly.
• Always eat a substantial breakfast to give you energy in the morning.
• Cut back or eliminate caffeinated drinks.
• Try doing something active in the morning to get your heart rate up.
• Make a schedule for the day to stay organized and calm, leaving yourself time for short breaks.

Protecting and Healing Sensitive Skin: Cutaneous lupus erythematosus is the type of lupus that encompasses a wide range of dermatologic symptoms. Studies show that up to 90 percent of people with lupus develop skin rashes and legions, including a “butterfly-shaped” rash that covers the cheeks and nose (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

Skin rashes associated with lupus are caused by an underlying inflammatory response. It’s important to protect sensitive skin from irritants and also the sun if the skin starts to show signs of a rash, hives, or redness. Certain chemicals in household or beauty products (like lotions, detergents, washes, and makeup) can worsen skin inflammation and make dryness and itchiness worse. Tips for helping to heal and protect sensitive skin caused by lupus include:

• Avoid direct sunlight during peak hours of the day, especially from 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Wear non-toxic sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher.
• Wear sunglasses and a hat.
• Use a humidifier in your bedroom to help keep skin moist.
• Avoid very hot showers, and instead, make the water lukewarm.
• Consume plenty of vitamin E or take a supplement.
• Avoid wearing antiperspirants, perfumes, scented lotions, and chemical-containing makeup.

Supportive Links:

Clinical & Experimental Immunology 141, no. 1 (2005): 165-173

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2249.2005.02822.x

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus have reduced numbers of circulating natural interferon-α-producing cells. Journal of autoimmunity, 11(5), 465-470

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0896841198902153

Seminars in nephrology. Vol. 19. No. 1. 1999.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1093/jurban/78.3.458

Alternative Medicine Review 6.5 (2001): 460-472.

https://go.gale.com/