What to do if you have systemic lupus erythematosus

       Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects multiple systems throughout the body. The cause is unknown and the clinical manifestations are mainly skin damage, joint and muscle pain, and cardiopulmonary and renal impairment. The prognosis of SLE is directly related to the timely diagnosis and active formal treatment. 1. Be prepared for long-term medication and do not rush. Adrenocorticotropic hormones and cytotoxic drugs are currently the main drugs for the treatment of SLE, long-term application can lead to many side effects. When there is hair loss, full moon face and other cosmetic changes, do not be depressed and worried, this is only a temporary side effect of the drug. If there is obvious discomfort, you should come to the hospital promptly and not stop the drug without permission.  The amount of activity of patients depends on the severity of the disease. In the acute stage or combined pericarditis, patients should absolutely rest in bed. The patient in the stable stage can be appropriately active, but not overworked to prevent relapse of the disease.  3, the regulation of diet is very important. Emphasis should be placed on giving a high-calorie, high-vitamin, low-volume diet, with a variety of dietary items and attention to color and flavor to stimulate the patient’s appetite. For patients with renal failure, emphasis should be placed on giving a high-quality low protein (0.5/kg.d) and low salt (<2g/d) diet. The following foods have the potential to trigger lupus flare-ups: foods containing psoralen: e.g. celery, figs, European bindweed; foods containing hydrazine groups: e.g. mushrooms, smoked foods; foods containing L-cuttlefish: e.g. new shoots, alfalfa-like.  4, patients with prolonged sun exposure can cause aggravation of the disease, should avoid skin exposure to strong sunlight, summer to wear a hat, wear long clothes and pants, wear light-proof glasses, bathing water temperature should not be too high, try not to use cosmetics, avoid lightning, welding on the skin stimulation.