Lupus Symptoms In Women - The Lupus Rash

Approximately 9 out of 10 lupus patients are women. Lupus symptoms in women are wide-ranging and can affect nearly every part of the human body including the skin, joints, and internal organs. Approximately 85% of lupus patients will experience changes to their skin. One of the most common skin symptoms characteristic of most forms of the disease is a lupus rash.

Cutaneous or discoid lupus, which only affects the skin, is often associated with several different kinds of skin rashes and lesions, but these are also commonly present in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Most rashes are extremely photosensitive, meaning they are made worse by exposure to ultraviolet light like that from the sun.

Other lupus symptoms in women may include ulcers inside the nose and/or mouth, extreme fatigue, headaches, fever, dizziness, chest pain, hair loss, sleep disturbances, and internal damage to areas of the body such as the brain, kidneys, heart, lungs, and blood vessels.

The poster-child rash of lupus disease is the butterfly rash. This rash occurs on the face and gets its name from the characteristic "butterfly" shape it usually forms in. The body of the butterfly is made by the bridge of the nose and the wings are created by light pink and/or bright red markings that extend across the cheeks underneath each eye.

The areas of red may be large and solid or they may be blotchy. A butterfly rash may also be scaly in texture, and itching is a common complaint from lupus patients with this type of rash.

A second common lupus rash is the discoid rash. The term "discoid" refers to the shape of this rash which is often oval or disk-like. Discoid rashes commonly occur on the scalp, face, and neck along with other areas of the body exposed to sunlight. They are extremely photosensitive and may become very itchy.

Discoid lesions, discoid sores, and subacute cutaneous lesions are also common and may leave scars as they heal. These lesions are generally coin shaped and can cover large areas of the body if the skin becomes exposed to sunlight. Some discoid lesions start out looking like red pimples whereas others start out as flat lesions and get bigger by expanding outward.

Approximately 20% of SLE patients will experience what are known as chronic discoid lupus lesions. With these lesions, the central area becomes depressed and forms a scar which can be very disfiguring. Chronic discoid lesions require immediate and aggressive medical attention.

Many rashes may also be coupled with muscle and joint pain, fever, and overall discomfort. Since virtually all lupus rashes are made worse by sun exposure, sun screen becomes an extremely important prevention measure.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - What Are Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms?

Arthritis affects many people all over the world in the US alone over twenty million Americans are reported that are afflicted with this debilitating disease. Arthritis is the general condition involving the damage of the joints in the body. There are many forms of arthritis and one of the most common forms of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory form of arthritis that causes severe pain, stiffness, swelling, and inflammation. In rheumatoid arthritis, the autoimmune system of the body mistakenly attacks the tissues of the body causing the lining of the joints to swell, that can result in pain, swelling, and eventually become deformed. One characteristic of the disease is that it is symmetrical in nature, meaning both parts of the body such as the wrist, knees, elbows, and hips can be attacked at the same time and pain is felt on both sides of the body.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms can even bring daily activities such a burden like walking or holding a pen. The symptoms maybe chronic or it could be a transient disease. When the joints are inflame this is the active stage of the disease, which is also called flare ups or flares, the inactive stage is called the remission stage and this can be due to medication or treatment, and it can last for weeks, months or even years depending on the management and the severity of the disease.

The remission of the disease varies from person to person, though the reason for the recurrence is still unknown patients are given some pointers on how to manage the disease and how to spot the early onset of the rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may include general feeling of fatigue, malaise, fever, loss of appetite, muscle and joint pain and stiffness, which is usually felt during the morning after waking up; you feel stiff all over and have a hard time to move because of the pain. This can also be felt during prolong inactivity, the muscles becomes stiff and harden and movement is difficult. During this episode, the affected areas of the body are inflamed, swollen and warm, and the skin around the area is red and tender to the touch.

At the early onset rheumatoid arthritis only affects the small joints of the body, the fingers, wrist, ankles and feet. As the disease progresses large part of the joints are affected especially those that are weight bearing joints such as the hips, knees, elbows, and shoulders could be affected. Deformity is a common sight for people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis this is due to the rheumatoid nodules that sprouts around the bones, bones become brittle and eventually loss its function.

As of this date there are no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis, the treatment that is available right now aims to slow down the bone degeneration and maximize joint function, reduce the pain, swelling, and inflammation. Disease management involves family education, medications, rest, exercise for joint and bone strengthening and protection. Treatment varies from the stage of the disease, age of the patient and general health, support of the family is one of the important factors of the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Foods May Contribute to Rheumatoid Arthritis Through a Leaky Gut - The Gut-Joint Axis

Foods frequently blamed for food allergies and sensitivity reactions are also believed to cause or contribute to inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. These common foods are likely doing so through a process of gut inflammation resulting in leaky gut. This injury, especially occurring in genetically predisposed people, and in the setting of altered gut bacteria (dysbiosis), and immune stress likely predisposes to further inflammation and leaky gut. This vicious cycle is thought to allow toxic food protein-bacteria complexes to enter the body resulting in a variety of inflammatory and/or autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. A new study sheds some additional light on link of food intolerance to rheumatoid arthritis is reviewed in this context.

Researchers from Norway in 2006 published in the British journal Gut additional new evidence of the link between foods and rheumatoid arthritis. Professor Bradtzaeg and his colleagues at the Institute of Pathology in Oslo measured IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies to foods. The measured these antibodies in blood and intestinal fluid in people with rheumatoid arthritis compared with healthy people.

The researchers performed blood and intestinal fluid antibody tests to the following food antigens: gliadin, oats, cow's milk proteins (casein, lactalbumin, lactoglobulin), soy, pork, cod fish, and egg (ovalbumin). These foods are in the top 10 of common food allergens as well as food protein intolerances.

What they found was a "particularly striking (incidence) of cross reactive food antibodies in proximal gut secretions" as well as increased IgM antibodies to some of these foods in the blood. The findings in the blood were less striking than in the intestinal secretions. This is consistent with difficulties finding elevated blood antibodies to foods in people with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune/inflammatory conditions despite a lot of anecdotal and elimination diet experience supporting the role of foods in these conditions. Interestingly, Dr. Ken Fine's stool antibodies tests may be on to something.

The results, in their opinion, indicate that measuring blood antibodies to foods in rheumatoid arthritis provides little information about the role of foods in rheumatoid arthritis. However, intestinal antibodies not only show a "striking" pattern of elevation consistent with adverse food immune reactions but also that there appears to be a potential cumulative effect of multiple foods. That is, not only may some foods trigger an abnormal immune response resulting in joint inflammation but the combination of multiple problem foods may be a key component to this link. Their results support the connection of mucosal (gut) immune activation from cross reaction of foods to rheumatoid arthritis in at least some people.

What might this mean? This data supports the concept and the experience of many people that elimination of certain problem food combinations may be beneficial in preventing or reducing joint inflammation. This is both exciting and intriguing.

Multiple commonly eaten foods frequently linked to food allergies and sensitivities may be contributing to inflammatory and/or autoimmune conditions. These common problem foods or their lectins are likely contributing to the process of gut inflammation. This is likely causing gut injury resulting in leaky gut. This injury and leaky gut, especially in genetically predisposed people, may, in the setting of altered gut bacteria (dysbiosis), predispose to further injury. This then allows the entry of toxic food protein (lectin)-bacteria complexes into the body, especially the blood stream. The result is inflammatory and/or autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

This gut-joint axis is likely the same mechanism as the gut-brain axis and gut-skin axis that produce the myriad of symptoms and diseases we are now seeing. The associated food protein (lectin)-bacteria immune reactions in the gut are increasingly being blamed for the development of a myriad of diseases.

Much more needs to learned, but it is interesting that certain foods keep showing up as the usual suspects. These problem foods or lectins include the grains (especially wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn), dairy (casein), nightshades (potato, tomato, peppers) and peanuts, soy and other legumes. Diets eliminating or restricting these foods have been reported as being beneficial for many symptoms and diseases. However, definitive links are difficult to establish because of limitations of scientific research.

The foods implicated are usually limited in some manner in a variety of elimination diets such as the gluten-free/casein free diet, naked diet, paleolithic/hunter-gatherer or caveman diets, arthritis diet, low carbohydrate diet, anti-inflammatory diet, and six food elimination diet.

The Paleolithic or Hunter-Gatherer diet specifically recommends restricting grains, dairy and legumes. Various anti-inflammatory or arthritis diets usually recommend eliminating either wheat or gluten, dairy and the nightshades. The dietary approach to autism commonly advocated is a casein-free, gluten-free diet.

Despite lay public reports of great successes with such elimination diets, mainstream medicine continues to be slow to study the dietary treatment of disease. However, especially in the past two to three years more studies are appearing showing links supporting a significant role of food and bacteria in the gut and various autoimmune diseases.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - The Basic Effects of Reiki Therapy

If you are tired of trying treatments for rheumatoid arthritis then here is an alternative solution for you. Reiki therapy is a different approach to rheumatoid arthritis that is being used by people wanting a change from ineffective conventional methods of treatment. It has no harmful side effects like conventional medicine and has the potential to make you feel better.

What is Reiki therapy?
It is the transfer of life energy from the therapist to the patient. It is transferred by light touching of the hands over the entire body or by raising the hands directly over the patient. This is just the basic concept. The principle of Reiki therapy is to treat a disease by unblocking spiritual and emotional blocks that may be causing a disease. This is done by unlocking energy and transferring it in the body. It works on a similar principle to acupuncture but no needles are used.

How can Reiki therapy help me?
It helps you to relax and feel better both mentally and physically. It will put you in a state of peace and harmony. It will also energize your body.
If you are in severe pain Reiki therapy can help to decrease it. This is because this treatment helps your body to relax and allows you to absorb energy to combat pain.
When you are relaxed and have more positive energy your body will have more chances of healing itself.
It will help your body get into balance and function better. When your body is stronger you will find it has more resistance to disease and can help to decrease the symptoms of arthritis naturally.
It will relieve stress. Stress aggravates any disease that you have especially a painful chronic one like rheumatoid arthritis. When you relax and are stress free your body will have less pain and it can help decrease inflammation.

How can I get started? You can look up Reiki therapy on Google and you will find many websites advertising this therapy. Check out these places and find some that are in your locality. Make sure that they are experts in the field. Do your research before attending sessions.

Bear in mind that to be effective you will need several sessions until your body is working in harmony with itself. It can only be effective if you are ready to receive the energy from the therapist and come with a positive attitude. Reiki therapy can also be used with aromatherapy to enhance its effectiveness.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Management Of This Disease

Management of the rheumatoid arthritis is generally medical, but therapeutic approaches and measures as well as surgical interventions can minimize and slow the effects of the disease. The evaluation and treatments rendered in an ongoing manner. It is best for the disease to be managed from a multidisciplinary perspective approach, this means including the principal rheumatologist, orthopedic surgeon, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, orthotists and the social worker, for a more holistic approach.

The management during the acute stage is primarily a medical perspective, characterised by frequent visits and even in-staying in the hospitals for increased rests, pain management and education. In the sub-acute phase, there will be more visits and treatments by the physiotherapists and occupational therapists, depending on the level of systemic and local effects of rheumatoid arthritis.

During this stage, there is also a chance of the hand occupational therapist attending to the patient with the disease for splinting and mobilization of the affected finger and hand joints, if the patient is able tolerate. The benefits of physiotherapy and occupational therapy is positive, and often increases the general mobility and pain management of the joints, equating to a better quality of life.

The drugs/pharmaceuticals that is often prescribed at this point in time include anti-inflammatories, painkillers, and hydrocortisone injections into the joint(s). There need to be careful management and monitoring of the effects of the abovementioned drugs when ministering to the patients, as some may have unpleasant side effects, but with safe administration, they are very effective.

Natural Treatments For Rheumatoid Arthritis Can Help Manage the Symptoms of RA

An increasing number of Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers are looking to natural and alternative therapies. Many of these natural treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis are really just simple lifestyle changes that help to manage the symptoms of RA.. Gentle exercises and reducing stress are two such strategies. Oftentimes, these natural treatments can compliment the patients prescribed regimen.

One very common home remedy for treating arthritis pain is the application of hot or cold packs on the affected area. Applying heat is one of the quickest and easiest ways to to help ease pain. Applying cold, alternatively, helps to numb and dull pain. Cold therapy should not used when poor circulation or numbness are present. A very effective treatment can also be to combine hot and cold therapy. This treatment is done simply by soaking the affected area in warm water for four minutes and then in cold water for one minute. Continue this cycle for 30 minutes, ending with the warm water.

Massage therapy is another excellent natural treatment for arthritis pain. Massage therapy not only eases muscle pain, but can improve moods and immune function. It is important to find a therapist experienced in working with arthritis sufferers because not all aspects of massage therapy are recommended for RA patients.

There are many other natural treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis that are showing promise. Consuming fish oil is one such treatment that is showing much promise in early studies. It is important to check with a doctor when using fish oil as it will interfere with some medications. Certain plant oils can also be helpful in treating arthritis pain. Borage, black currant and evening primrose oils all contain a fatty acid that may be beneficial to patients. Again, to avoid drug interaction, it is important to consult a doctor before trying any of these natural remedies.

Arthritis Signs and Symptoms

The inflammation or swelling of the body's joints is commonly called "arthritis". It is a dreading disease usually caused by the erosion of two opposing bones, formation of uric acid crystals around the joints, or the expected wear and tear of the joint as one ages. There are more than 100 different forms of arthritis but the most common are rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis and osteoarthritis. The most common body areas affected by it are the fingers, wrists, neck, hips, back, and feet.

Arthritis is by and large a disease of the elderly, but children can also be affected by it. According to research, over 50% of individuals in North America affected by arthritis are mostly aged 65 and above. It is more common in women than men at all ages and brings suffering to all races and different cultures. An estimated 46 million individuals have doctor-diagnosed arthritis and statistics are foreseeing that by year 2030 there will be an estimated 67 million Americans aged 18 and older who can be diagnosed of arthritis.

Signs and Symptoms

What is arthritis for most of its victims, if not life threatening, is a life consuming disease as it gives the individual limited physical activity. Some of arthritis signs and symptoms of arthritis, irrespective of its form, are as follows:

1. Inability to use the hand
2. Inability to walk
3. Fatigue or exhaustion
4. Fever
5. Weight loss
6. Inability to sleep continuously
7. Muscle aches
8. Tenderness or weakness
9. Difficulty moving the joint
10. Loss of flexibility

In children, arthritis can present itself with the following signs and symptoms:

1. Skin rash
2. Fever
3. Pain
4. Inability to move
5. Limited daily activities

So what is arthritis? It is a disease that threats to take away freedom to do important functions such as walking, crouching, bending, kneeling, climbing the stairs, and attending social activities. It is the main cause of disability in the USA and a very significant number of the population suffer from its severe effects. Because of incapacity to remain active, many arthritis patients also suffer from obesity, high cholesterol or heart disease. Often times, individuals with arthritis also become depressed because of feeling ineffective around the household and community, and more to the fear of its worsening arthritis signs and symptoms.