What is a Treatment for Lupus?
Can Homeopathy Be an Effective Treatment for Lupus?
Good Questions.
Though, before we answer the questions above, let’s first define Lupus, Its Causes, Some Common Symptoms, Parts of the Body which are Affected, Some Different Categories, and Who Can Get Lupus???
Lupus Defined
Lupus is Latin for wolf. The fact that it can cause rashes across the nose and cheeks, that resemble the face of a wolf, is where it gets its name from.
Many different parts of the body are affected by Lupus. This is why it can be a very challenging condition to treat. This is why we take an holistic approach to what is a treatment for Lupus? Such as homeopathy – this may prove to be a very effective treatment for Lupus.
Lupus (medically known as systemic lupus erythematosus) is a multi-system autoimmune disease. Where its symptoms are caused by the immune system attacking the body, and just about every organ can be affected.
Lupus Diagnosis
Though, a lot is currently known about lupus, it is without a single diagnostic test. Specific antibodies in the blood are usually present. The detection of these antibodies combined with the symptoms described below is used to confirm the diagnosis of lupus.
What is Autoimmune disease?
When the body creates an immune response against its own parts, an autoimmune disease occurs. Other examples of autoimmune diseases include diabetes, Crohn’s, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis, coelic disease, and multiple sclerosis.
Some Common Symptoms of Lupus
- Joint pains is the usual onset of lupus. Especially, in the small joints of the feet and hands.
- Skin rashes are also common and can be made worse if exposed to sunlight.
- Muscles may be tender to touch and ache.
- Lymph glands are often swollen and tender in parts of the body.
- Patients will usually have fever, weight loss, malaise and many times feel fatigue easily, and completely exhausted.
On the symptoms alone, Lupus is often difficult to diagnose.
The above symptoms may be caused by many different conditions.
Three (3) Categories a Lupus Patient Can Be Classified Under
Lupus patients can be classified according to the characteristic reaction patterns of their body. Three constitutional examples follow:
- Pulsatilla Constitution: a patient experiences changeable levels of aches and pains of lupus; I.e. may experienced throbbing pains one day; and, stabbing pains the next. This patient will be a person who weeps easily – is tearful during flare-ups. and is a soft gentle person. This patient will require lots consultation and comforting.
- Nux Vomica Constitution: This patient will experience the same disease of Lupus in a very different way. Usually, this patient is with highly driven ambitions, who may lie awake at night worrying about business affairs, and will become very frustrated and angry with the illness. Their condition will frequently relapse, due to stress and overworking. Joint pains will be better for warmth and worse for cold, worse at night in bed.
- Phosphorus Constitution: a patient experiences pain as a burning sensation; pains in parts of the body (such as migrainous headaches) will also have a burning quality. Pains in their muscles and joints will be described as “burning” as well. This patient is very anxious and may become burnt out or overwhelmed by their own anxieties. Will be very fearful, especially frightened of thunderstorms, and have tremendous anxiety about their health, especially when alone.
The most effective approach, when treating a multisystem disease such as lupus, is a constitutional approach. Where a lupus patient can fall in one of the three categories above then take a homeopathy treatment approach to these symptoms of each constitutional lupus category.
Is ls Lupus More Common in Men or Women?
Although, lupus can affect both sexes at any age, it mainly affects young women. It is 9 times more frequently found in women. After age 60, It is rare to make the diagnosis. Though, lupus is rarely found in Africa, it can be found in America and Europe and it is less common in white women and more common in women of Afro-Caribbean
What Plays a Role in lupus development?
It is yet known what exactly causes an individual to develop lupus, this most likely is a multifactorial disease. Though, it is yet not clear what exactly plays a role in the development of lupus, this disease can affect individuals whom are predisposed to developing it.
Genetic’s play a major role in lupus development – i.e. women are more susceptible to lupus. Too, an individual who is diagnosed with lupus, there is a one in twenty chance that a sibling will develop lupus. A risk is nearly one in three, if identical twins are involved. Gene patterns can be identified too which may make an individual more susceptible.
Here are some environmental factors that play a role, as well, in lupus development:
Such as particulates in ultraviolet light and air pollution. Viruses too may cause lupus to develop.
A number of drugs (such as anti fungal agents, antibiotics, and certain antihypertensives, may trigger lupus development or a related condition.
In the above particular roles, symptoms may develop and may not just disappear; and, chronic disease can take place. Thereby, needing a homeopathic treatment for relief of the pain.
Good homeopathic prescribing on a constitutional basis has been applicable in the treatment of lupus and may prevent constitutional deterioration in health.
Which parts of the body can a lupus patient be affected?
In a lupus patient, any part of the body can be affected. Though, commonly affected organs are as follows:
Heart & lungs
These organs are rarely affected. More commonly the linings of the lungs or heart, the pleura or pericardium may become inflamed giving pleurisy or pericarditis. Symptoms include sharp pains upon breathing and breathlessness.
Joints
In the joints, swelling and pain is common. Though, it is unusual for long-term deformity or joint damage to occur.
Nervous System and Brain
Up to one in three people with lupus may be affected by Migraine. Depression and fatigue are also a common problem.
Kidneys
One out of three patients with lupus may have some sort of kidney disease. This is usually mild inflammation which rarely causes significant damage or serious problems to the kidneys; but does need to be monitored.
Lymphatic System and Blood
Given a low platelet count and anaemia, the bone marrow may be affected and would cause easy bruising and tiredness. An antibody called anti-phospholipid may be present in the blood stream that can predispose to blood clots and has been associated with miscarriages in pregnancy.
Skin
The skin may become hypersensitive to sunlight (photosensitivity). In areas commonly exposed to the sun, such as hands, forearms, face and other parts of body, rashes often occur. Alopecia (or hair loss) may occur , as well. Although, this is often patchy and mild and the hair usually grows back.
Other organs
The eyes and the digestive system are less commonly affected.
Four (4) Simple Self Help Measures that Can Be Useful to Lupus
Rest & Relaxation
Because lupus can be exacerbated by stress, it is very important to practice getting much rest and relaxation. This can lead to a well balanced life.
Avoid Exposure to Direct Sunlight
Many of the skin conditions and rashes with lupus are exacerbated by sunlight. Therefore, it is essential to avoid direct sun exposure. A quality sunscreen (with factor 25+ protection) should be cover exposed body parts prior to direct sunlight.
Diet
A diet low in saturated fats can be very helpful in reducing inflammation and joint pains. This will certainly improve overall well-being and health.
Avoid Exposure to Infections
Because we are continually exposed to viruses, it is impossible to live in an infection-free environment. So, when we come down with an infection and lupus flare-ups, we are forced to take antibiotics. These immune suppressing drugs, often used during flare-ups of symptoms in lupus, can often make the body more susceptible to infection.
It is important however to take sensible precautions and avoid those family and friends with obvious known infectious diseases, such as chickenpox and COVID-19.
It seems, the drive to reduce our risk and exposure to infections is leaving our immune systems to attack our own organs.
Here are Some Answers to the Two Questions Above
- What is a Treatment for Lupus?
- Can Homeopathy Be an Effective Treatment for Lupus?
Taking A Homeopathy Approach Can Lead to a Well Needed Treatment For Lupus
Please Note: To purchase any of the medicines listed below, click on the names of the medicine below and it will re-direct you to a vendor. If you have any questions about any of the symptoms of Lupus, or medicines listed below or have any feedback about Lupus that you’d like to share for the treatment of Lupus, that you have tried out or any other questions about homeopathy medicines for Lupus, pleased feel free to leave your feedback, comments or questions below. I plan to look at all your comments and or questions and provide a response shortly. Hopefully, within 24 hours, if not sooner.
In lupus, where almost every system and organ may be affected, a homeopathy approach can lead to better results. The homeopathic approach in treating lupus involves taking into account all physical, mental, and emotional symptoms, and is well suited to treating this multisystem disease called lupus.
16 Top Homeopathy Medicines / Treatments for Lupus
Lupus flare-ups may affect different organs and parts of the body at different times. Homeopathy medicines can be very helpful in alleviating lupus symptoms. Here are various homeopathy medicines for various parts of the body which are good for the treatment of lupus:
For Joint pains:
A number of homeopathic remedies can help alleviate joint pains, such as:
- Aconite: sudden severe joint pains which may occur following exposure to a cold dry wind. Hot tender joints.
- Apis: hot swollen red inflamed joints. Relieved by cold applications.
- Bryonia: sharp stitching joint and muscle pain worse with even the slightest movement.
- Dulcamara: joint pains occurring in cold damp weather, better with heat and motion.
- Rhus tox: painful stiff joints, worse with initial movement (eg on rising from bed), better with continued motion.
- Rhododendron: joint pain worse in wet weather, especially before a storm.
- Ruta: stiff painful joints and tendons especially following overuse. Worse from cold and damp.
For Skin
Homeopathic medicines can be used to treat the cutaneous manifestations of lupus.
- Apis: red burning rashes, often associated with fluid retention and swelling (oedema). Better from cold applications.
- Fluoric acid: hair loss especially alopecia areata.
- Sepia: yellow/brown “saddle” across the bridge of the nose.
- Sulfur: red itchy rashes. Worse with heat, especially the heat of the bed at night. Worse at night. Worse for bathing.
For the Lungs
Pleurisy may develop during flare-up of lupus. The following remedies may be useful in helping to control the pain.
- Aconite: sudden onset of sharp pains, especially after fright or shock. Worse after exposure to cold dry wind.
- Brygonia : stitching pains (such as found in pleurisy) worse from the slightest movement.
Migraine
Many homeopathic medicines are helpful in the treatment of migraines-headaches:
- Belladonna: intense throbbing head pains beginning in the right occiput and extending forwards to the right eye. Worse at 3.00pm. Worse with any jarring. Better lying still in a dark room.
- Natrum muriaticum: bursting pain, sometimes described as a small hammer in one spot. Worse around 10.00am. Aggravated by sunlight.
- Spigelia: stitching neuralgic pain on the left side in or above the left eye. Better with heat or hot bathing.
Conventional – Modern treatment for Lupus
In Conventional-Modern Medicines, there are no known “cures” for lupus; where conventional treatment is directed towards controlling the symptoms of this disease vs. it’s cause.
In conditional treatments, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Diclofenac and Ibuprofen are used to control joint pains. These drugs can have many side-effects including irritating the stomach lining. A newer NSAIDs, known as Cox-2 drugs, are less likely to irritate the stomach lining, though may slightly increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Corticosteroids can be taken to control inflammation and pericarditis of the kidneys. These are very effective drugs, though in long-term use, they may increase the risk of developing diabetes and osteoporosis.
Steroids are therefore given in the lowest effective dose and ideally for short periods. Other drugs may be given to suppress the immune system during a flare up of lupus.
Yes, I like to drink from the True Health Well of Homeopathy and enjoy life’s journeys Lupus free with a Homeopathy approach to the treatment of Lupus. If you or someone you know would like to do the same, meet me at my page for homeopathy medicines for Lupus and start the healing process. If you have any questions about any of the symptoms of Lupus, or medicines listed above or have any feedback about Lupus that you’d like to share for the treatment of Lupus, that you or someone you know have tried out or any other questions about homeopathy medicines for Lupus, pleased feel free to leave your feedback, comments or questions below. I plan to look at all your comments and or questions and provide a response shortly. Hopefully, within 24 hours, if not sooner. If you have any questions or just want to chat about Homeopathy (from my perspective), please feel free to contact me at my email below. Until then, enjoy the True Health Well experience.
Cheers!
Kathy
Founder, True Health Well
Visit Us at: kathy@truehealthwell.com
Disclaimer: Please consult a professional medical doctor or physician (for people) or a veterinarian (for pets) to treat conditions that are life-threatening or more serious. I’m not a doctor or homeopath; therefore, I can not give you medical advice. Please consult a Homeopath for more medical treatment or advise on Homeopathy medicines
*Homeopathic remedies are generally safe, and the risk of a serious adverse side effect arising from taking these remedies is thought to be slim to none. Most (if not all) homeopathic remedies are safe to take with other medicines including their own and do not usually interfere with the action of other medicines. So, they can be taken with other medicines.
