Does Lupus Cause High Blood Pressure

Mental Health Problems And Seizures

A study from the Canadian Institute of Health Research found that the prevalence of mental health issues in those with lupus has significant implications for future medical research and individual management of the condition. Many of these neurological diseases occur before the diagnosis of lupus. The results of the study could mean that some cognitive disorders may create ideal chemical conditions for lupus to develop, or that individuals who have lupus are also affected by some mental health conditions more frequently, either before, or after diagnosis. The most prevalent neurological conditions within those with lupus are headaches, mood disorders, and anxiety or depression. Seizures also occur in between five to ten percent of patients with lupus at some point in their lifetime. Seizures are one of the eleven criteria used to diagnose lupus.

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What Is The Lupus Rash

A skin rash is one common symptom of lupus. Rashes from lupus are often from prolonged sun exposure, and usually last days to weeks. You can have a rash on your face, hands or wrists. When you have a rash on your face, it typically extends across the bridge of your nose and onto each of your cheeks. This is often referred to as a butterfly rash because of the shape across your face.

Skin rashes can be uncomfortable and itchy. These rashes can sometimes fade after a short period of time. However, some rashes and sores on your skin can be permanent.

What Medical Professionals Will Be On Your Healthcare Team

In addition to your primary care doctor, you may need to see a specialist to confirm the diagnosis. Depending on your symptoms, these can include:

• cardiologist: for your heart
• neurologist: for your brain and nervous system
• pulmonologist: for your lungs

If the diagnosis is drug-induced lupus, youll need to consult with the doctor who prescribed the drug so you can find an alternative treatment.

Since drug-induced lupus is likely to improve once you stop taking the drug, long-term treatment is usually not necessary.

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How Is Lupus Diagnosed

The diagnosis process can be long and difficult for lupus. The symptoms that you might experience with lupus can overlap with those of other conditions for example, diabetes and arthritis. Symptoms of lupus may also take time to develop, adding to the challenge of diagnosing the disease.

Your healthcare provider will typically start with a family history to see if lupus runs in your family. Then, your provider will want to discuss any symptoms youve experienced. After talking to you about your symptoms, your provider will typically do some lab tests. These tests are looking for things like low blood cell counts, anemia and other abnormalities.

The provider may also do an antinuclear antibody test. This test looks for antibodies proteins in your body that defend against disease that could be a sign you have an autoimmune disease. People who have systemic lupus erythematosus usually test positive for ANAs.

Do I Need To See A Cardiologist

Not every person with lupus needs to see a cardiologist, but in some cases it is a good idea. A cardiologist may order special tests to see how well the heart is working. Together with the rheumatologist, they decide if you need any medicines to prevent or treat heart disease. They may suggest that you take a statin to lower and maintain your cholesterol level. Rheumatologists and cardiologists agree that it is very important that you have good eating and exercise habits and that you control your blood pressure.

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Pulmonary Hypertension And Lupus Diagnosis And Prevalence

Pulmonary hypertension and lupus is more common among Caucasian and female patients younger than patients typically with PH. Early diagnosis if important because the effects can PH can worsen the symptoms of lupus.

There are no blood tests that can accurately detect PH in a lupus patient, but there are precautions that can be taken. Medical supervision is the best method to prevent it. Reasons to seek medical advice include: swelling of the feet, ankles, legs and abdomen, worsening in the difficulties to breath, chest pain, light-headedness or fainting. A physician may then request an echocardiogram to analyze the size and function of the heart. A right-heart catheterization can complete the diagnosis.

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How Can You Reverse Autoimmune Diseases

The secret to a healthier immune system is healthy nutrition thats in favor of supplying support to the immune system.

A healthier immune system is critical to a healthful body.

If youre on the lookout for proven methods to stop or improve autoimmune diseases at this time, there are different avenues to look at.

Lots of people with autoimmune diseases will be acquainted with brain fog.

They develop when your body attacks healthy cells rather than antigens.

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How Common Is Heart Disease In The United States

Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in Americans. In general, heart disease is more common in men than in women before the age of 55. Premenopausal women have lower risks of heart disease. Over the age of 55, men and women have equal risks of heart disease. Heart disease is more common in black women than in white women and it often is a more serious problem. Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in women of color.

How Is It Treated

Theres no specific treatment for drug-induced lupus other than to stop taking the medication. You should begin to improve within a few weeks, though it can take longer for symptoms to go away completely. Generally, no other treatment is needed.

If you were to start taking that drug again, your symptoms would return. Your doctor will work with you to find a substitute for the medication that caused the problem.

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How Does Blood Pressure Effect The Body

According to AHA, High bloodpressure damages the arteries that can become blocked and prevent blood flow to the heart muscle. Also the increased workload from high bloodpressure can cause the heart to enlarge and fail to supply blood to the body.

Does high blood pressure cause skin rashHigh blood pressure often does not cause symptoms, but regular screening can help a person know if they need to take preventive action. . skin rash swollen abdomen, in rare cases

Blood Pressure And Heart Complications

High blood pressure or hypertension is also common in people living with lupus. In fact, 50 percent of people with lupus have blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg, and nearly 75 percent of people with lupus have blood pressure greater than what is considered normal in healthy patients, which is 120/80 mmHg.2,3

High blood pressure in people with lupus is commonly caused by obesity, kidney disease, and long-term steroid use. Some other treatments prescribed for lupus, such as cyclosporine, may also contribute to high blood pressure.2

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Theres One Other Way To Deal With Autoimmune Problems

If youve got an autoimmune condition, you dont really desire a lab to know you ought to avoid gluten.

Observing a gluten-free diet for more than a year can aid in improving status.

There are several sorts of autoimmune diseases and every one of them varies in signs and symptoms.

They are the result of an uncontrolled immune response also known as systemic inflammation that results in your body attacking its own tissues.

If youve got an autoimmune disease, its highly likely youll also have food sensitivities also.

If youve got an autoimmune disease, then by definition youve got a leaky gut.

And that should be repaired, otherwise, you wont have the ability to reverse your affliction.

Suffers from one can inform you, autoimmune diseases are among the worst things its possible to deal with on an everyday basis.

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Protecting Yourself From The Sun

Exposure to sunlight can sometimes make symptoms such as rashes worse, and it’s important to protect your skin when in the sun.

This means wearing clothing that covers your skin, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. You will also need to apply sunscreen with a high SPF to prevent sunburn. However, some people with lupus are not sun-sensitive and do not need to take extra precautions.

As people get most of their vitamin D as a result of direct sunlight on the skin, there is a risk you may not get enough of this vitamin if you need to avoid sun exposure. This means you may need to make an extra effort to include good sources of vitamin D in your diet to avoid problems such as osteoporosis , and you may be advised to take vitamin D supplements.

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What Should I Eat If I Have Lupus Nephritis

If you have kidney disease, you may need to change what you eat. Dietitians are nutrition experts who can advise you about healthy eating and meal planning. Find a registered dietitian who can help you. Eating the right foods can help you manage your kidney disease. If you have high blood pressure, eating foods with less sodium may help you lower your blood pressure.

Loss Of Appetite And Involuntary Weight Loss

Lupus can sometimes cause involuntary weight loss due to the loss of appetite this can be due to the medication was taken or even the lupus disease itself. Autoimmune thyroid disease is not uncommon in those with lupus, and this condition will have major effects on weight and metabolism. A compromised thyroid can even cause damage to the brain, kidneys, and liver. Alternative medications for lupus can and should be discussed with a health professional if the lack of appetite is a primary concern. Some with lupus will experience lack of appetite and involuntary weight loss due to the disease itself and not because of the medication or treatment process. It is essential to make this distinction by visiting a health professional and having tests done.

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How Does Lupus Affect White Blood Cells

White blood cells are actually made up of several different types of cells, including neutrophils , lymphocytes and monocytes. White blood cells are the bodys main defense against infection. A reduction in the number of white blood cells is called leukopenia a particular reduction in granulocytes is called neutropenia .

Leukopenia and neutropenia are very common in active lupus, but rarely are white cell counts low enough to lead to infection. Counts may be lowered by azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and some other drugs. Therefore, white cell counts are always monitored during treatment with these agents. If counts go too low, the prescribed drug is usually stopped briefly or the dosage is reduced. When infections occur in lupus, they are more often related to alterations in the body’s immune system that are not reflected in routine blood counts.

Persistent Nausea And Vomiting

Patients with lupus can also become prone to frequent bouts of nausea and even vomit. This symptom can be caused by a variety of reasons including a build-up of fluids in the abdomen, environmental and lifestyle factors, and other medical conditions that can develop alongside lupus, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a common cause of constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. This type of medication for lupus can also cause stomach ulcers to develop, which will cause uncomfortable pain in the abdomen. The muscle contractions that control the digestion of food may become inefficient, or the medication is taken for lupus, leading to the poor health of the gastrointestinal tract.

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Dry Skin Rash On Arms

A rash is a change of the human skin which affects its color, appearance, or texture, A rash may be localized in one part of the body, or affect all the skin. Rashes may cause the skin to change color, itch, become warm, bumpy, chapped, dry, cracked or blistered, swell, and may be painful.The causes, and therefore treatments for rashes, vary widely.

Do These Treatments Have Side Effects

You should always speak with your doctor about the risks and benefits of any of the treatments you receive. Each of the drugs during any of these treatments can have their own side effects. Fortunately, these side effects usually are manageable for most patients. Discuss your treatment with your healthcare provider. Your overall health and the health of your kidneys should always be considered. There are times when the side effects of certain treatments are not worth the risk to your health.

If you are a woman with lupus nephritis and want to have children, you should discuss with your healthcare provider the effect your treatment may have on that process. There are ways to make sure that treatment is less harmful to this process.

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Why Does Lupus Cause Weight Gain Or Weight Loss

Many people with lupus may experience weight loss. This can be caused by the medications that are used to treat lupus or from the discomfort of the disease itself. On the flip side, some people may gain weight if they find that they are inactive due to joint pain. Its important to maintain a healthy diet when you have lupus. Talk to your healthcare provider and possibly a nutritionist to determine the best diet for you.

What About Side Effects

All drugs have some potential side effects, and you and your doctor will need to balance the risk of side effects with the need to control your symptoms. Sometimes this may mean taking additional medications to protect against the side effects of others.

Treatments such as calcium, vitamin D tablets and drugs called bisphosphonates may be given to guard against the bone-thinning condition osteoporosis. This condition can be a risk for people who take steroids at high doses or for long periods. You may be given DMARDs instead of high doses of steroids.

If you have lupus, and especially if youre on a DMARD or biological therapy, youll be more prone to infection. Take care to avoid contact with people with infectious diseases like chickenpox or if theyve recently been in hospital. You should discuss your vaccination status with your rheumatologist or GP. You might need to avoid live vaccines.

If you suffer from a severe infection or require antibiotics you may need to stop your DMARD treatment for a short time, and restart them once youve recovered from the infection.

Please visit our information pages on drugs for more information about your medication.

• leflunomide.

You might also need to wait for a period of time after coming off any of these drugs before it is safe to get pregnant. If you become pregnant unexpectedly while on one of these drugs, talk to your healthcare team as soon as you can.

If you can, its best to try for a baby when your lupus is not active.

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Talking To Others About Lupus

Others wont be able to see most of the symptoms caused by your lupus. When symptoms like pain, fatigue, depression, or joint stiffness make your regular tasks more difficult, its important to know how to talk to those around you.

It may help to start by explaining what lupus is not. Let people know that is not contagious, nor is it like cancer or HIV or AIDS. Then explain what lupus is. Let them know that it is chronic, which means you will have it forever, and that it affects each person differently.

Your conversations with others about lupus may change depending on who you are talking to.

Tell your family and friends. Tell your loved ones about your symptoms and treatment. Make sure they understand that you will be okay, but that sometimes you may say no to things. They can help you to manage your schedule. They can also pitch in when you need help with things, like childcare or household tasks.

Tell your job. If you feel it is okay to do so, you may want to work with your employer to make your workplace more comfortable for you. This might mean getting a better desk chair or requesting a flexible work schedule. If your employer wont work with you, you may want to find a job thats more manageable with your lupus. Remember, health problems like lupus are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Words Used When Talking About Lupus And The Heart:

• Cardiovascular Having to do with the heart and blood vessels .

• Endothelial cells Cells that form the inside wall of a blood vessel.

• Coronary Artery Disease Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle. A decrease in the blood supply to the heart is usually caused by atherosclerosis and is considered a disease.

• Atherosclerosis Narrowing and hardening of blood vessels caused by too much cholesterol or other fatty materials in the blood vessel. This build up forms blockages called plaques that decrease the flow of blood. A plaque can also break off and travel to another blood vessel in your heart, lungs, brain or leg.

• Cholesterol A fat-like substance that comes from foods, such as meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, fried foods and fats. There are two types of cholesterol:

• HDL is the good cholesterol. Good cholesterol can be increased by weight loss and exercise.
• LDL is the bad cholesterol that forms plaques.

• Statin A category of medicines used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood

• Cardiologist A doctor who specializes in the treatment of heart problems

• Pleurisy Inflammation of the covering around the lungs

• Pericarditis Inflammation of the covering around the heart

• Costochondritis Inflammation of the cartilage of the chest wall

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