What causes systemic lupus erythematosus?

Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Firstly, systemic lupus erythematosus belongs to autoimmune diseases and is a multisystemic autoimmune disorder. It is a chronic disease that cannot be cured. It can only be managed through medication to control the progression of the disease, prevent relapses, delay damage to other organs, and prevent complications. This is the overall principle of treatment. Its cause is currently unclear. It is only related to factors such as environmental pollution, viral infections, genetics, and hormones, according to expert research. However, there is no specific definitive cause identified.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Can people with systemic lupus erythematosus drink alcohol?

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that cannot be cured. It can only be managed with medication to control the progression of the disease, reduce recurrence, delay complications, and decrease mortality and self-harm rates. These are the main treatment objectives. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus should avoid sun exposure and, for women, the use of oral contraceptives. It is also important to avoid overwork and staying up late. Patients are generally advised to quit smoking and drinking alcohol. Therefore, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus should not consume alcohol, especially during treatment, to avoid adverse reactions with medications.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Dietary Restrictions for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Firstly, systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect multiple systems, including the skin, heart, kidneys, lungs, and nervous system, among other organs. The skin, kidneys, and lungs are the most commonly affected organs. If the kidneys are affected and proteinuria occurs, it is necessary to restrict salt intake. The general principle is to have a low-salt, low-fat diet, and to limit the intake of high-quality proteins, which mainly refers to lean meats and pure milk. It is necessary to drink more water, avoid sun exposure, avoid oral contraceptives, and in terms of diet, fruits such as figs and mangoes that have been exposed to sunlight for a long time are prohibited, including tomatoes, while other fruits can be consumed in moderation.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus recurrence

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease primarily characterized by multi-system damage and damage to multiple organs, and it is a chronic disease, meaning it cannot be cured but only controlled through medication to manage the symptoms, prevent relapses, and delay complications. Exposure to cold, fatigue, or prolonged ultraviolet radiation can trigger a relapse of the disease. The clinical manifestations of a relapse may include an increase in skin rashes compared to before, or the emergence of low-grade fever and fatigue, or joint pain, which should be taken as warning signs. Moreover, some individuals may experience severe swelling of both lower limbs, a clinical indication. Key diagnostic indicators in clinical examinations include the titers of autoimmune antibodies, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and the levels of complement C3 and C4, which are used to comprehensively determine whether the disease has relapsed.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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What is the best food to eat for systemic lupus erythematosus?

Firstly, systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple systems and organs and cannot be cured. It can only be managed through medications to control the progression of the disease and delay the onset of complications. Therefore, it's not about what food is good for lupus, but rather about managing any complications it may have. Some foods to avoid include tomatoes, bayberries, figs, celery, bananas, as well as other fruits and vegetables that have been exposed to prolonged sunlight. The general principle is to adopt a low-salt, low-fat diet while increasing the intake of high-quality proteins, primarily lean meats and pure milk, to boost resistance and immunity.

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Written by Li Jing
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Early symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease causing multi-system damage, with clinical presentations that vary greatly between individuals. Most cases begin gradually, but some can onset abruptly, meaning severe complications that can threaten life can emerge within weeks or days. Early symptoms are often atypical. During active phases, most patients with systemic lupus erythematosus experience varying degrees of low-grade fever, with low to moderate fevers being most common. The primary manifestations include erythema of the skin and mucous membranes, and some individuals may experience photosensitivity, which results in a facial rash after exposure to sunlight. This is one of the most common clinical presentations.