What is systemic lupus erythematosus? What should I look for in my diet? Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune connective tissue disease that causes tissue damage due to the presence of a large number of pathogenic autoantibodies and immune complexes, which clinically manifests as symptoms of damage to various systems and organs. The foods to be avoided by patients in their daily life include three categories of vegetables: alfalfa, celery and purple cabbage, which can aggravate photosensitivity. If patients have related symptoms, they need to avoid eating them. Secondly, spicy foods: chili peppers, green peppers, onions, etc. They are not triggering factors of SLE, but can aggravate the gastrointestinal side effects symptoms of the treatment drugs. Thirdly, soybeans are not suitable for consumption because they are not high-quality protein and contain hormonal components. Patients with lupus nephritis and increased serum urea nitrogen are contraindicated to eat them. In conclusion, patients with SLE should have a light, low-salt, low-fat, high-protein diet and eat more fruits containing potassium, such as bananas, apples, oranges and tomatoes. If the patient has renal failure, do not eat the above-mentioned fruits. Can SLE be cured? The cause of SLE is not known, so it cannot be cured at present. Scientists are working hard on research to find the cause of the disease. However, there are medications available that can put the disease into long-term remission. The disease is not an infectious disease and patients can live a normal life as normal. Patients should do five things and five things not to do. The five musts: follow the doctor’s advice, get enough rest, have a good spirit, eat a reasonable diet, and have regular reviews. Five don’ts: don’t use drugs and cosmetics indiscriminately, don’t overexert yourself, don’t expose yourself to the sun, don’t listen to hearsay, and don’t stop taking drugs suddenly. It is important for the family members to create a good environment for the patient’s long-term remission. Since most of the patients with SLE are women, for married patients, having a considerate husband and a warm family is the fundamental guarantee to maintain the stability of the disease. Can SLE patients get married and get pregnant? Generally speaking, SLE patients can get married. Patients should not conceal their disease from each other before getting married, but should gain the understanding of each other, otherwise it will bring more unhappiness and even aggravate the disease after marriage. Patients should only get pregnant and give birth when their condition is stable and with the consent of their specialist. Those with uncontrolled disease and those who are using high doses of hormones should not get pregnant. Patients with kidney, brain, heart and other important organ involvement are advised not to get pregnant or give birth. If the disease has been stable for more than one year after treatment, and the dosage of prednisone is less than 10 mg per day, pregnancy can be considered if the immunosuppressive drugs are stopped for more than six months, but the necessary physical and laboratory examinations must be performed. After pregnancy, SLE patients should also visit the immunology department, in addition to regular follow-up in the obstetrics department. To ensure the safety of mother and child, patients should not use medication at will. The condition of pregnant women with SLE is often difficult to judge, sometimes “smooth sailing” and sometimes “stormy”, so it is important to follow up and check under the guidance of a specialist. The development of SLE is associated with polygenic genetic factors. Many clinical data show that the incidence of SLE in one member of a family increases in first-degree relatives (parents, brothers, sisters). In monozygotic twins, if one person develops SLE, the likelihood of the other person developing the disease is 25%-50%; in heterozygotic twins, if one person develops the disease, the likelihood of the other person developing the disease is 5%, but the pathogenesis of SLE is complex, with genetic factors as an endogenous factor and the involvement of certain exogenous factors.