Lupus

Lupus  (Also called: SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus)

What is this?

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease, caused when the immune system attack its own tissues. With other words, this is an autoimmune disease. The tissues/body systems that can be ‘attacked’, because the immune system cannot tell the difference between viruses, bacteria, and other germs and the body’s healthy cells, tissues, or organs. 

The tissues being attached, can be joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.

Lupus is very difficult to diagnose as it mimic so many other ailments. One definite sign is the rash over the faces – it’s the shape of a butterfly across both cheeks in most cases.

Most Cases is in women (9/10).

Different types of lupus?

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common and most serious type of lupus. SLE affects all parts of the body.
• Cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which affects only the skin.
• Drug-induced lupus, a short-term type of lupus caused by certain medicines.
• Neonatal lupus, a rare type of lupus that affects newborn babies.

Causes?

Lupus may be results from a combination of your genetics and your environment. Most of the causes of Lupus is still, in fact, unknown. But here is the known causes:

• Sunlight. Sun exposure may bring on lupus skin lesions or trigger an internal response in susceptible people.
• Infections. Having an infection can initiate lupus or cause a relapse.
• Medications. May be triggered by certain types of blood pressure and anti-seizure medications, and antibiotics. People who have drug-induced lupus usually get better when they stop taking the medication. 
• Hormones such as estrogen. Lupus is more common in women during their childbearing years when estrogen levels are highest.
• Stress, smoking and problems with immune system.

How can Biokinetics help?

Your Biokineticist will help to ease your pain and address the many symptoms of lupus. We can provide rehabilitation to less pain, better mobility, and improved quality of life

We concentrate on low-impact exercises such as walking, stretching and mobility exercises. Hydrotherapy is ideal. Patients with lupus respond optimally to Hydrotherapy – strength, mobility and muscle endurance increases, edema control will be experienced, pain and stiffness decreased, as global functioning is better.