Lupus

Lupus occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs (autoimmune disease). Inflammation caused by lupus can affect your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. People with a predisposition for lupus may develop the disease when they come into contact with triggers including [1] sunlight, [2] infections, [3] medications (some blood pressure medications, anti-seizure medications and antibiotics). ​

Lupus can range from mild to severe: 1. Mild --> Joint and skin problems, tiredness 2. Moderate --> Inflammation including your lungs, heart and kidneys 3/ Severe --> Inflammation causing severe damage to the heart, lungs, brain or kidneys.

FACTS > skin lesions afflict 90% - evident by the butterfly-shaped facial rash. > other signs include arthritic changes, chronic fatigue, joint pain, headaches & mouth sores. > more common in women. > most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45. > more common in African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans. No two cases of lupus are exactly alike. Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus have mild disease characterized by episodes — called flares — when signs and symptoms get worse for a while, then improve or even disappear completely for a time. !Important to get regular blood tests (anaemia) & urine tests (kidney problems)!

AVOID the following foods (often to reduce inflammation, leaky gut and flare-ups) 1/ gluten 2/ trans fats (fast/fried/processed foods). Many with lupus also find it difficult to process saturated fats such as cheese, red meat and creamy food. 3/ simple carbohydrates such as sugar, sweets, white bread and baked goods. 4/ salt /high sodium foods (to prevent fluid retention, sweeling and electrolyte imbalances). 5/ alcohol and caffeine 6/ some legumes – green beans, peanuts, soybeans – negatively affect some patients due to l-canavanine (amino acid). INCREASE 1/ unprocessed foods 2/ fruit & veg – especially kale, spinach, garlic, onion, cucumber, avocado, melon and berries. 3/ fish – salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna. 4/ bone broth 5/ seeds and nuts (not peanuts) 6/ coconut milk 7/ Epsom Salt baths! Supplements your naturopathic nutritionist may advise include: 1/ magnesium 2/ B vitamins 3/ vitamin D 4/ turmeric 5/ DHEA (only with medical supervision) ​ (Photos and some information from www.draxe.com; www.drjockers.com; www.nhs.uk)