The Effect of Lupus in the Body

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your healthy and normal tissues and organs when they should defend them from foreign substances that can harm the body. Different lupus treatments are available, especially under the hands of a skilled rheumatologist.

This condition tends to mimic other diseases making it hard to diagnose. It has different symptoms that vary from person to person, hence it is sometimes called a “disease of 1,000 faces.”

Lupus in Singapore can hit different body systems, including:

•    Circulatory system

Heart disease the primary reason for the death of lupus patients. Your heart and blood vessels are susceptible to lupus attacks risking you to heart diseases, especially if you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Inflammation in the arteries can also happen, causing damage to the blood vessels and bleeding inside. Infection may also develop when the arteries are inflamed.

Your lupus treatment should be extra careful, which may include eating an anti-inflammatory diet, staying physically active, and quitting smoking. This will help keep your blood pressure and cholesterol level healthy.

•    Skeletal system

Lupus can cause pain and arthritis when it makes your immune system attack your joints. This results in inflammation, limited range of motion, and long-term damage to the joints. It usually affects the smaller joints like the hands and wrists, but they can also strike large joints such as knees and hips.

Although certain medications for lupus treatment can lead to bone loss or osteoporosis, there are things you can do to keep your bones healthier such as exercising and a healthy lifestyle. Patients with problem in the bones associated with lupus should limit their caffeine and alcohol consumption and stop using cigarettes.

•    Endocrine system

The endocrine system is a series of glands that produce hormones which is important for a variety of body functions. The pancreas is a gland that is responsible for insulin production which manages digestion enzymes and hormones to regulate your blood sugar levels. When lupus inflames the pancreas, you may develop an infection, digestive problems, and diabetes. Steroid or immunosuppressants can help treat this problem.

•    Nervous system

Several complications may arise if lupus affects the nervous system including cognitive dysfunction, headaches, coma, stroke, encephalopathy, and seizures. Lupus can either interrupt the blood flow to the nerves or attack the antibodies that bind to nerve cells or the blood vessels that feed them. The “brain fog” or memory problems can also take place when a person had lupus from the past.

•    Urinary system

Kidneys play a vital role in the body, they help eliminate wastes. With lupus patients, kidney problems are quite common. Lupus nephritis is the inflammation of the kidney. This occurs when the structures of your kidney that removes wastes were attacked by lupus autoantibodies leading to blood in the urine, high blood pressure, protein in the urine, impaired kidney function or kidney failure.


While lupus is a disease with no known cure, various lupus treatments can manage the symptoms. Given that lupus affects differently per person, treatment depends on your signs and symptoms. When lupus is managed properly, you may only experience mild symptoms. Make sure to consult your rheumatologist for proper treatment. 

 

Resource: https://www.healthline.com/health/lupus/effects-on-body

Other sources:

https://penzu.com/p/30560911

https://penzu.com/p/29f9236d

https://penzu.com/p/361cf2e2

https://penzu.com/p/8a988a0e

https://startupmatcher.com/p/rheumatoidarthritistreatment

https://coub.com/stories/970679-rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment

https://coub.com/stories/970683-arthritis-treatment

https://coub.com/stories/970681-lupus-treatment

https://coub.com/stories/970678-rheumatologist

https://coub.com/stories/970677-arthritis-treatment

https://lupustreatment.buzzsprout.com

https://rheumatoidarthritistreatment.buzzsprout.com

https://rheumatologist.buzzsprout.com

https://arthritistreatment.buzzsprout.com

http://www.thehillel.org/health/healthcare/consulting

5 Underlying Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis. It causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation that usually hits the joints, but can also affect the organs and body systems including the eye, skin, lungs, heart, respiratory system, among others. 

Currently, there is no known cure for this condition. Rheumatologists prescribe treatments for rheumatoid arthritis aiming to improve the symptoms and the patient’s quality of life. 

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis in Singapore is a progressive autoimmune and inflammatory disorder that attacks the joints and beyond. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy tissues instead of defending it resulting in pain and swelling. 

What are the 5 underlying causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Treating rheumatoid arthritis can be easier if you know what causes it. The following are the possible underlying causes of rheumatoid arthritis.

1. Infections 

A strong connection between gut bacteria overgrowth and the rheumatoid arthritis onset were found in recent studies. Although not proven as the sole cause yet, gut bacteria like Prevotella copri and Proteus mirabilis is suspected as the culprit in the onset of the condition. Such bacteria can cause leaky gut that usually causes dysfunction in the immune system and body inflammation. 

2. Mercury

Exposure to high levels of mercury harms your health and damages the cells in the body. Once the body cells are damaged, the immune system may be unable to determine which cells are healthy or harmful. Thus, attacks on healthy tissues arise. Studies suggest that people with high mercury exposure are more prone to autoimmune disease, like rheumatoid arthritis. 

3. Gluten

Gluten is a family of proteins found in grains, and it is everywhere. It can create confusion in your immune system when it set your gut leaky. As a result, molecular mimicry can happen, where the immune system is confused between the building blocks of gluten and the building blocks of body tissue which share similar molecular structure. Therefore, healthy joints and other organs are consequentially attacked by the immune system. 

4. Mycotoxins

Research findings say that mycotoxins can trigger autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. Mycotoxins are toxic elements that are produced by particular types of moulds or fungi. It can grow in dirty, old places and foods like cereals, dried fruits, nuts, and spices. This may especially affect people who are genetically susceptible. 

5. Leaky gut

A healthy gut permits only nutrients to pass through the bloodstream. When the gut is leaky, it can allow harmful substances to go directly into your bloodstream including toxins, undigested food particles, proteins, among others. When this happens, systemic inflammation may arise that can result in autoimmunity. Be wary of the things that can damage your gut such as gluten, certain medications, and stress.  

Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease that may get worse when left untreated. Aside from pain and inflammation, this may lead to bone erosion and joint deformity over time, since it affects the joint linings. 

To keep the condition from getting worse, consult your rheumatologist for arthritis treatment that works best for your condition. 

5 Hand Exercising Tips to Ease Arthritis Pain

 

Almost all daily activities require hand usage –from the simplest activities down to the complex ones– making painful and stiff hands caused by arthritis difficult to deal if left untreated. While arthritis treatment can be in the form of medication or surgery, certain hand exercises can help relieve arthritis symptoms. 

When performing your regular hand exercises, remember to do it gently and stop or pause when you feel any pressure or pain. To help revive your joints flexibility and improve its range of motion, here are simple hand exercises you can try. 

Exercise #1: Make an ‘O’
Beginning with your one hand out and fingers straight, slowly curve all your fingers inward until they form the shape of an ‘O’. Hold it for a few seconds, then straighten all your fingers again. Repeat the process a few times and do it daily especially when you feel your hands achy or stiff. 

Exercise #2: Thumb bend
In some cases, the thumb has more problems than the rest of the fingers. While your fingers are straight, bend your thumb across the palm up to your pinky, or go as far as you can in case you can’t reach your pinky. After holding it for about one to two seconds, straight your thumb again and repeat the exercise multiple times.
 

Exercise #3: Finger bends
This hand exercise may be common for arthritis relief in Singapore. Position your hands in front of you and straighten your fingers. Bend your thumb towards the center of your palm and hold for a few seconds, then straighten it back. Do the same exercise to the rest of each finger from each hand.
 

Exercise #4: Table bend
Position your one hand on the table with your thumb pointed up and the other fingers closed. Then slowly straighten your other fingers altogether until they create an “L” shape. Hold it for a few seconds then position it back to its original form. Repeat it for at least 10 times daily in both hands.
 

Exercise #5: Make a fist
Start by getting your one hand out with all your fingers straight, then gently bend your fingers to form a fist. Your thumb should end up on the outside of your hand. Remember not to squeeze it too tightly. After a couple of seconds, straighten your fingers again. Do it again for at least 10 times per hand.  

 

These hand exercises work best when performed daily especially when partnered with a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet. If symptoms persist, consult a rheumatologist for arthritis treatment that best suits your condition.

Hand arthritis can interfere with your everyday life, so seeking early treatment is important to get back on the things you love to do. Swelling, pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion may be your daily problem which can be controlled if addressed properly. Your rheumatologist may suggest other exercises for you, or prescribe other treatment for arthritis, like medication.

Currently, the exact cause of hand arthritis is unknown. The condition is also progressive which can worsen the problem over time if it is not treated.