This results in inflammation and breakdown of tissues in places like the skin, the kidneys, the joints and any mucous membrane. Lupus can be caused by certain medications like procainamide, hydralazine and isoniazid. Women in their child-bearing years make up 85 percent of lupus patients. There can be a family association with this disease, but for most people who get lupus, there is no family history of sufferers. The diagnosis is made by laboratory tests, and the best specialist to see is a rheumatologist.
Lupus tends to go through cycles - getting worse, than getting better again.
Some people can get away with little or no treatment, but others may need to be on a regular schedule of medications. During the bad times, doctors usually like to use some pretty big pharmaceutical guns, like corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. These drugs may improve the prognosis for people with lupus, but there are some other steps you can take that may decrease your need to use this heavy artillery. Diet is critical. There is good evidence that a low-fat diet with adequate essential fatty acids may dramatically decrease overall inflammation.