Natural Remedies for Treating Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when your immune system turns against tissues and organs throughout your body. Symptoms vary, but often include fatigue, joint pain, and hair loss.

Alongside standard medical treatment, some people reduce their symptoms with the help of various natural remedies. This article explains lupus and natural remedies to help manage it.

What Is Lupus?

There are several types of lupus, including:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (skin lupus)
• Drug-induced lupus
• Neonatal lupus
• Childhood lupus

Lupus can set off inflammation and cause damage to the heart, lungs, blood vessels, brain, joints, skin, kidneys, and other parts of the body. In addition, it can trigger major health problems, including:

• Kidney disease
• Neurological dysfunction
• Rheumatoid arthritis

While complications arising from lupus can be fatal, the disease often goes into remission, sometimes lasting for years. However, since lupus can be life-threatening, it's crucial to seek medical care rather than attempting to self-treat the disease.

Lupus Symptoms

Lupus is sometimes difficult to diagnose. That's because the symptoms often overlap with symptoms of other health conditions. In addition, they can vary widely from case to case. Symptoms of lupus include:

• Fatigue
• Skin lesions (typically aggravated by sun exposure)
• A butterfly-shaped rash on the face (covering the cheeks and bridge of the nose)
• Weight gain or loss
• Joint pain and swelling
• Hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Chest pain
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Memory loss

Natural Treatments

Keep in mind that so far, scientific support for the claim that any form of alternative medicine can treat lupus is lacking. However, there are some complementary therapies that some people find beneficial.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids can curb inflammation. In addition, several studies have also found that they improve lupus symptoms. You can increase your omega-3 intake by eating oily fish (such as salmon and sardines), flaxseeds, or by taking a daily omega-3 supplement.

Herbal Medicine

Though not explicitly studied in lupus patients, some herbs may support lupus symptoms. Specifically, anti-inflammatory herbs like ginger and turmeric may be helpful for those experiencing arthritic symptoms.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

Corticosteroids (inflammation-fighting drugs often used in lupus treatment) may thin your bones and increase your risk of osteoporosis. Ask your healthcare provider about daily vitamin D and calcium supplements to keep your bones strong while on corticosteroids.

Mind-Body Therapies

Using mind-body techniques like hypnotherapy and guided imagery may help you deal with the stress of lupus. To further alleviate stress, make sure to get plenty of sleep and exercise regularly. Ask a healthcare provider about the amount and types of exercise that are right for you.

DHEA

Research suggests that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a steroid hormone essential to the production of estrogen and testosterone) may enhance quality-of-life for people with lupus.

While DHEA shows promise as a complementary treatment for lupus, regular use of DHEA supplements could raise your risk of heart attack and some types of cancer. Therefore, it's critical to use DHEA only under the supervision of your primary care provider.

Using Natural Remedies

Due to a lack of supporting research, it's too soon to recommend alternative medicine to treat lupus. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not test or regulate supplements. Therefore, the content of some products may differ from what is specified on the product label.

Also, keep in mind that the safety of supplements has not been established in higher-risk populations, including:

• People who are pregnant
• Those who are breastfeeding
• Children
• Those with medical conditions
• People who are taking medications

If you're considering alternative medicine, talk with a healthcare provider first. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.

Summary

Lupus is an autoimmune condition that has many varied symptoms. In addition to standard medical care, some people use natural remedies, including vitamins, herbs, and relaxation techniques. However, it is essential to work with a healthcare provider before incorporating supplements into your treatment plan.