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What is lupus?
Lupus is an arthritic disease that attacks the body’s own immune system causing inflammation and pain in the joints. There are two main categories of lupus:
- Discoid lupus: the disease affects the skin
- Systemic lupus: the disease affects the skin, joints and certain organs
What are the symptoms of lupus?
There are different symptoms associated with lupus depending on which area of the body is affected. It is important that you receive a comprehensive treatment which will enable you and your physiotherapist at Physio.co.uk to identify your symptoms to help develop a tailored physiotherapy programme. Potential symptoms of lupus include:
- Painful joints
- Skin rashes
- Tiredness
- Fingers turning blue or red in cold weather
- Swelling around the joint
- High blood pressure
- Inflammation around certain organs including kidneys, heart and liver
- Reduced ability to carry out activities of daily living
How is lupus diagnosed?
There is not one specific test that is used to diagnose lupus and therefore you may be asked to have a variety of different tests in order to confirm the lupus. The faster your condition is diagnosed, the more successful your physiotherapy programme with Physio.co.uk will be. The tests to diagnose lupus include:
- Blood tests
- Liver function tests
- Kidney function tests
- Urine tests
- X-rays
- MRI scans
How will physiotherapy help with lupus?
Physiotherapy for lupus can help manage your condition in a number of ways. Your physiotherapist at Physio.co.uk will provide you with a full assessment which will then help to tailor your treatment programme to your specific needs. Physiotherapy may benefit in the following ways:
- Reduce your pain
- Increase strength and movement
- Help you return to your normal activities of daily living
- Improve your cardiovascular fitness
- Minimise any progression of the disease
What physiotherapy will be used for lupus?
The physiotherapy that is used to treat the lupus will depend on your specific symptoms and treatment goals decided by you and your physiotherapist at Physio.co.uk. Your physiotherapy programme may include a combination of different treatments which may vary each session. Your physiotherapist at Physio.co.uk will encourage you to take an active role in your treatment programme to provide the best possible outcome. Physiotherapy used to treat lupus may include:
- Pain control modalities
- Strengthening exercises
- Range of movement exercises
- Cardiovascular activities including cycling and swimming
- Hydrotherapy
- Postural exercises
- Pacing advice
- Provision of specialist equipment to assist you around the house
- Wax therapy
- Electrotherapy including ultrasound and megapulse
- Massage
Summary
Lupus is an autoimmune disease meaning that it attacks the body’s immune system which can result in inflammation of the joints and certain organs. Lupus mainly affects younger women under the age of fifty although there is no known reason why people get the disease. Although there is no cure for lupus, it is able to be controlled and physiotherapy is a very successful way to manage your symptoms. Physio.co.uk have experienced physiotherapists who will work with you to reduce your pain and help you return to your sports and hobbies. Please call Physio.co.uk today on 0330 088 7800 to book an appointment, or you can also book online today!
