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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Case Studies

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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by unusual autoantibodies in the blood that target tissues of the body. While in the past a diagnosis of SLE often suggested a decreased life span due to internal organ system involvement or to toxic effects of therapy, recent improvements in research have dramatically enhanced the survival of SLE patients with the most severe and life-threatening symptoms. Unfortunately, treatments for SLE remain inadequate as many patients have incompletely controlled disease, progression to end stage organ involvement continues, and current therapies carry potential risks of debilitating side effects. Therefore, it is important to create an environment that will …show more content…

Signs can also come on suddenly or develop slowly. “SLE most commonly produces inflammation of the skin, joints, nervous system, kidneys, lungs, and other organs. A Charachteristic butterfly rash, or erythema, may be present on the face, spreading from cheek to cheek, across the nose, to the other cheek. SLE may begin acutely with fever, fatigue, joint pain, and malaise, or may develop slowly over a period of years, with intermittent fever, malaise, joint deformities, and weight loss.” (Drzymkowski, 2013, p. 149). 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. If you experience these types of symptoms, it is important to visit a doctor to seek treatment. To screen the patient for Lupus, this requires a complete medical evaluation and once diagnosed, seek a referral to a …show more content…

You may be able to prevent flare-ups of the illness by avoiding exposure to the sun as much as possible and using sunscreen when you are in the sun. "The best thing you can do is live a healthy lifestyle," says Ellen Ginzler, MD, a professor of medicine and chief of rheumatology at State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, in New York City. "Stay active, eat a healthy diet, stay out of the sun, and don't smoke." (Illiades, 2015). Flare ups can also be prevented by staying on schedule with medications and not missing

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