Lupus is classified as an autoimmune disease, and it can affect different parts of the body. In most people it affects the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and brain. In the case of a normal healthy body, the immune system produces proteins that are called antibodies. These antibodies serve to protect the body against infection, viruses, bacteria, and other foreign matter. The term for these foreign materials is antigens.

What happens when the body is affected with an autoimmune disorder like lupus is that the immune system becomes confused and cannot tell the difference between foreign material and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then begins to make antibodies and directs them against itself; these antibodies are called auto-antibodies. The auto-antibodies affect the body by causing inflammation, pain and damage in different parts of the body.

Here are some of the natural remedies lupus sufferers have found beneficial.

Turmeric

Turmeric is an Indian spice that contains a compound call curcumin. And curcumin is an antioxidant. Many patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, like lupus, find that taking 400 to 600 about three times a day helps to relieve many of their aches and pains, including joint swelling and stiffness. Also, patients who felt a lupus flare coming on often found that taken curcumin helped to decrease the severity of the flare.

Fish Oil

Lupus causes inflammation, which is largely responsible for the joint pain and stiffness lupus sufferers often experience. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can stop the body from producing the biochemicals that can cause this inflammation. Try adding more fatty fish to your diet. You can also take fish oil supplements.

Vinegar and Water Soaks

One of the most bothersome symptoms lupus sufferers experience is pain in their hand joints. We all use our hands to do just about everything, including performing essential, every day tasks. But, when your hands hurt, it can be hard to do much of anything. One way to relieve pain in your hands caused by lupus is to soak them in a vinegar and water bath. Combine warm water and a two or three tablespoons of vinegar in a sink or large bowl, and soak your hands in that mixture for about 10 or 15 minutes.

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Lupus is one of America’s least recognized major diseases. Nearly 1.5 million Americans have lupus. In fact, more Americans have lupus than cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia, and cystic fibrosis combined, making it one of this country’s most prevalent medical problems. However, while lupus is widespread, awareness and accurate knowledge about it lag behind many other illnesses. Lupus is on the rise, and scientists don’t know exactly why.

So what is Lupus?

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease which affects many Canadians,  In lupus, the immune system that protects the body from germs, viruses and bacteria begins to malfunction and fails to distinguish between the body’s own tissues and these foreign invaders.  As a result, the immune system attacks different parts of the body itself, causing inflammation in those tissues.  This inflammation gives rise to the symptoms that characterize lupus.

Lupus is a member of the autoimmune family of diseases, which included rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes, scleroderma and others.  Lupus is not a form of cancer, is not related to AIDS and is not contagious.

Systemic lupuserythematosus (SLE) is the most common and serious type of lupus.  The autoimmune reaction in SLE may target any tissue of the body, including the skin, muscles, joints, blood and blood vessels, lungs, heart, kidneys and/or brain.

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed a 60 to 70 percent upsurge in lupus deaths between 1979 and 1998. Each year during the study period, death rates were more than five times higher for women than for men, and more than three times higher for African Americans than for Caucasians. Lupus is also more common among Latino, Asian, and Native American women.

The majority of Lupus patients are young women of childbearing age (15-55) but men and even young children can be affected. It is estimated that 1 in 750 women suffer from Lupus in the UK with the ratio of women to men being 9:1. Lupus is a worldwide disease more common in some races than others. The incidence in white women is 1 in 1000 compared with that in black women of 1 in 250 and Asian races also have a higher tendency to Lupus. Only 10% of Lupus patients are male.

With its many symptoms, Lupus can often be overlooked by a GP or consultant which may delay final diagnosis and a vital start to necessary treatment which can contain the disease and limit potential damage to the kidneys, heart, lungs or brain.

Those diagnosed usually remain in medical care and receive ongoing treatment. Many symptoms will have less impact but there may be side effects. Lupus can adversely affect the lives of sufferers and their families and influence relationships with friends and business colleagues.

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