Lupus is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when the body’s immune system starts damaging its own tissues and organs. Lupus is a traumatizing condition which can affect different body parts, such as the skin, kidneys, joints, brain, heart, blood cells, and lungs.

The diagnosis of this condition is not easy as the symptoms often resemble those of other diseases. The most typical symptom of lupus is a strange facial rash which looks like the wings of a butterfly.

In some cases, lupus is caused due to genetics, whereas in others, it may be due to certain medications, infections due to other causes or even sunlight.

Diagnosis of lupus
Diagnosing this disease is extremely difficult as the symptoms largely vary from person to person.

Generally, a combination of clinical tests is used for diagnosing lupus and evaluating the signs and symptoms. The most common tests include:

• Complete blood count
  This test is used for measuring the count of white and red blood cells in the body, as well as the amount of hemoglobin. Results are used to evaluate if you have anemia, which is a common symptom of lupus.
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  This is a blood test which determines the rate at which the RBCs settle at the bottom of a tube. A rate faster than normal generally indicates a systemic disease such as lupus.
• Kidney and liver assessment
  Blood tests are performed to evaluate the functioning of the kidney and liver.
• Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test
  A test is conducted to determine the presence of these antibodies. If the test is positive, it indicates a stimulated immune system. However, positive results do not necessarily warrant the presence of lupus.

Other than this, your doctor may also conduct some imaging tests such as a chest X-ray or an echocardiogram.

In many cases, lupus affects and badly damages the kidneys. Therefore, many times, it is necessary to perform a biopsy by taking a small sample of kidney tissue to determine the best possible treatment for the condition. Skin biopsy is also performed to certify the diagnosis of lupus affecting the skin.

Treatment for lupus
The appropriate treatment for lupus often depends on the severity of the signs and symptoms. It is important that you discuss with your doctor all the risks and benefits of the different treatment options before embarking on any specific treatment plan.

Some of the most common medications for lupus include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Antimalarial medicines
• Corticosteroids
• Immunosuppressant
• Biologics
• Rituximab

Apart from these, certain lifestyle and home remedies can also help in managing the symptoms of lupus. These include:

• Indulging in regular exercise
• Avoiding sun exposure
• Consuming a well-balanced and healthy diet
• Quitting smoking
• Indulging in stress-relieving exercises such as yoga and acupuncture
• Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids
• Taking vitamin D and calcium supplements
• Visiting your doctor regularly

You can follow these simple steps to alleviate the symptoms of lupus.