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Lupus Discoid Lupus Systematic Lupus Drug-induced Lupus Flax Seed Oil and Lupus *******************************************
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation in various parts of the body. Three main types of lupus are recognized—discoid, systemic, and drug-induced. Discoid lupus affects only the skin and does not usually involve internal organs. The term discoid refers to a rash of distinct reddened patches covered with grayish brown scales that may appear on the face, neck, and scalp. In about 10 percent of people with discoid lupus, the disease will evolve into the more severe systemic form of the disorder. Systemic lupus erythematosus
is the most common form of the disease. It may affect virtually any organ or structure of the body, especially the skin, kidneys, joints, heart, gastrointestinal tract, brain, and serous membranes (membranous linings of organs, joints, and cavities of the body.) While systemic lupus can affect any area of the body, most people experience symptoms in only a few organs. The skin rash, if present, resembles that of discoid lupus. In general, no two people will have identical symptoms. The course of the disease is also variable and is marked by periods when the disease is active and by other periods when symptoms are not evident (remission). Drug-induced lupus can arise as a result of a reaction against certain prescribed medications. The signs and symptoms resemble those of systemic lupus. The most common drugs that cause such an autoimmune response are hydralazine, which is used to counteract high blood pressure, and procainamide, which is a medication for irregular heart rhythms. Only a very small number of people taking these drugs develop the disease, and the symptoms usually abate when use of the drug is stopped.Lupus results from a breakdown of the normal disease-fighting function of the immune system. Instead of producing antibodies that attack infectious organisms, the body produces antibodies—called autoantibodies—that react with components of the body's own tissues. This autoimmune reaction results in the formation of antigen-antibody complexes (also called immune complexes), which build up in tissues and cause inflammation and injury. The reason why these damaging autoantibodies develop is not entirely understood, but many factors seem to be involved. Environmental stimuli, such as infections, ultraviolet light, extreme stress, and certain drugs, are believed to contribute to the disease, and there also seems to be a genetic predisposition to lupus. Systemic lupus affects women much more often than men—the vast majority of cases arise in women between the ages of 12 and 40—and hormones, particularly estrogen, may increase the likelihood of developing the disease. It is more common in blacks and some Asian populations.Identifying systemic lupus can be difficult because many symptoms of the disease are similar to those of other diseases and because symptoms are sometimes ambiguous and fleeting. In order to diagnose the disease, at least 4 of the following 11 criteria must be met:
Treatment of systemic lupus is directed toward relief of pain, controlling the inflammation, and limiting as far as possible damage to vital organs. A variety of medications are prescribed, depending on which organs are involved. Preventive measures include the avoidance of factors that seem to stimulate a recurrence of symptoms. Current methods of therapy are able to control the disease in most people and allow them to live a normal life span. "lupus erythematosus." Encyclopedia Britannica from Encyclopedia Britannica 2007 Deluxe Edition. ( 2008). Flax Seed Oil and Lupus Research
According to research at the University of Western Ontario, patients with lupus have an increase in the production of platelet activating factors, and a decrease in their metabolism. Platelet activating factors are the fragments of large cells in the bone marrow which get into the blood. Lignans or antioxidants, which are found in flax seed oil, reportedly reduce the accumulation of platelet activating factors in the blood.
According to a study by W.F. Clark in "Flaxseed: A potential Treatment for Lupus Nephritis" , platelet activating factors (PAF) was inhibited by doses of flaxseed given to eight lupus patients. They were given 15, 30 and 45 grams of flaxseed per day for four weeks. The flaxseed resulted in significant benefits in reducing inflammatory and atherogenic mechanisms important in the development of lupus. Tests so far indicate that very beneficial results are occuring from use of lignan-rich flax seed oil or (concentrated flax hull lignans). |
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