Systemic lupus erythematosus

A chronic disease of the connective tissue and blood vessels, genetically caused by imperfection of processes regulating the body's immune system. Presumable cause of the disease is a viral infection, acting on a background of altered immunity, resulting develop antibodies to their own organs and tissues (autoaggression). Proved family genetic predisposition. Ill mostly young women and teenage girls. Aggravating factors are prolonged sun exposure, pregnancy, abortion, the beginning of the menstrual function, infection, drug allergy, post-vaccination reactions.
The disease begins gradually with softly pronounced inflammation of the joints, weakness, fatigue. Less common is an acute onset (fever, acute inflammation of the joints, skin). Further
- Over undulating. A frequent symptom - reddish rash on the skin of the face in a "butterfly" in the upper half of the chest in a "neck", on the limbs. It is characterized by immune inflammation of serous membranes (pericardium, pleura, peritoneum). Usually develop pericarditis, joined by myocarditis, endocarditis sometimes, pleurisy, peritonitis serous. Raynaud's syndrome can occur long before the typical picture of the disease. Pulmonary disease leads to volchanochnomupnevmonitu: cough, shortness of breath, rales in the lungs. There ulcerative stomatitis, anorexia, heartburn, belching, swollen lymph nodes, liver, spleen. The most severe manifestation - lupus diffuse glomerulonephritis (see.). It happens a heavy defeat of the nervous system: encephalitis, polyneuritis, convulsions, hallucinations, delirium.
Determination of high titers of antibodies to DNA, deoxyribonucleotide, antigen. To clarify renal disease - kidney biopsy needle.
Large doses of glucocorticoid hormones in their inefficiency - immunosuppressants (azathioprine, cyclophosphamide) under the control of the blood test. When the aggressive course of the disease plasmapheresis is used. Depending on the symptoms of the disease being symptomatic therapy (potassium drugs, tranquilizers, diuretics, antihypertensives, anabolic steroids, and others.). In outpatient - supporting vitamin. Climatotherapy, balneotherapy and ultraviolet radiation contraindicated (may cause worsening of the disease).