What is lupus?
Lupus erythematosus or lupus is a chronic disease of the connective tissue. It causes inflammation as the immune system of the body starts attacking the bodily systems and can affect joints, kidneys, heart, lungs blood cells and skin. It is seen more commonly in women than in men but the reasons for this are yet unknown.
There are various types of the disease – systemic lupus erythematosus, neonatal lupus, discoid lupus erythematosus and drug-induced lupus erythematosus. Systemic lupus erythematosus is seen more commonly and is also the most serious form of the disease. But with timely treatment, most patients can lead normal lives.
Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus
This form of lupus can get quite severe. Such severe lupus is usually treated with corticosteroids, commonly known as steroids. Steroids help reduce inflammation of tissues. They also help give relief from other symptoms of lupus like anemia and kidney problems. Corticosteroids are usually consumed as oral pills.
Side-effects of corticosteroids
Steroids are usually taken in the form of pills but may also be used in the form of gels and creams for skin affected by lupus. Common oral steroids are prednisone and prednisolone. Oral corticosteroids when taken continuously over a long period of time can have some serious effects on health. Some patients can do away with medication after a while but for most, it is a choice between living with symptoms of lupus everyday or suffering from the long term effects of steroids.
Symptoms include diabetes, fluid retention, increase in weight, irregularities in the menstrual cycle, extreme sensitivity of skin. hypertension ans insomnia to name a few.
Insomnia from steroids for lupus
Insomnia is one of the side effects of long term intake of steroids. This is inevitable as this is a side effect of corticosteroids. One way to avoid this is to stop intake of steroids. This is not a good option as it would make the lupus worse and the patient will have to cope with the symptoms on a daily basis.
Another option that doctors sometimes resort to is reducing the dosage of steroids. Either the patient is given small doses daily or given slightly higher doses every alternate day. Sometimes doctors reduce the steroid dosage and give steroids in combination with other medicines.
