ABOUT LUPUS

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease. Your body’s immune system mistakenly “attacks” healthy cells. As a result, lupus causes inflammation and can even damage your kidneys, skin, joints, brain, and other organs. While lupus cannot be cured, with help from our leading rheumatologist in Raleigh, lupus treatment plans and lifestyle changes can reduce the chances of problems and minimize “flare-ups.”

At RMG Rheumatology, we can customize a plan to help you manage the complications of this chronic disease. Each patient is carefully evaluated to ensure they have medical care specifically tailored to their needs.

Comprehensive Lupus Treatment for the Triangle Area

Some of the more effective treatments for lupus include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs. These help relieve joint pain and stiffness.
• Antimalarial drugs, which are also useful for skin and joint problems.
• Corticosteroids, which can reduce inflammation and immune system activity.
• Immunosuppressants—because this is an autoimmune disease, our lupus doctor may prescribe immunosuppressants to suppress the immune system and keep more serious symptoms under control.
• Biologics – These medicines are administered intravenously and have successfully alleviated symptoms of lupus in certain patients.
• Lifestyle factors—because stress can make lupus worse, we recommend not only managing anxiety but also eating a balanced diet and using protection against sun exposure.

Common Lupus Symptoms

This disease can be painful and even debilitating if you don’t receive proper lupus treatment.

Some of the symptoms of lupus include:

• Pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• When exposed to cold, fingers or toes may turn blue or white

A hallmark symptom of lupus is a unique facial rash that resembles a butterfly, usually spreading across the cheeks and nose. The condition can also cause rashes on other parts of the body, and these rashes or skin lesions tend to worsen with exposure to sunlight. It is important to distinguish this from rosacea.

Risk Factors for Lupus

Certain people are at greater risk of developing lupus than others. This includes those who:

• Are female—lupus is more common in women
• Are between the ages of 15 and 45
• Have family members who have also had the disease
• Who are American-American, Hispanic, or Asian American

Causes of Lupus

As mentioned earlier, there appears to be a genetic predisposition to lupus, but in many cases, there is no clear cause of the disease. However, certain things appear to trigger this autoimmune response. These include:

• Sunlight: Exposure to sunlight can cause skin lesions
• Infections: These can cause a relapse of lupus.
• Certain medications: Particularly some antibiotics or medicines to treat high blood pressure or seizures.

Avoiding some of the common triggers is a vital part of lupus treatment

Need Lupus Treatment? Schedule an Appointment with Our Board-Certified Rheumatologist in Raleigh

Although lupus has no cure, its chronic and painful symptoms can be effectively managed. This management allows individuals to perform daily tasks, which can be significantly more challenging during flare-ups.

Dr. Priyank Chaudhary, our rheumatologist, uses his vast experience to provide thorough lupus treatment for patients in the Raleigh and Triangle areas. He completed his fellowship at Hahnemann Hospital, affiliated with Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. Additionally, he holds dual board certification in rheumatology and is an active member of the American College of Rheumatology.

Because lupus can lead to serious complications, it’s vital to seek help as soon as possible. To schedule an appointment with RMG Rheumatology, contact us for a referral form.