Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Lupus Nephritis
Lupus Nephritis is caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which can affect almost any part of the body. When gastrointestinal system is involved, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may occur easily. Today, we will talk about IBS and Lupus Nephritis.
What is irritable bowel syndrome?
IBS is one common functional gut disorder, and it can cause various symptoms such as abdominal pain or cramping, a bloated feeling, gas, diarrhea or constipation, mucus in the stool, and so on. All of these can affect patients' gastrointestinal tract and their appetite.
When patients have rectal bleeding, abdominal pain that occurs or worsens at night, or weight loss, they should see a doctor immediately.
How does Lupus Nephritis cause irritable bowel syndrome?
Lupus Nephritis is one autoimmune disorder, that is to say, the onset of lupus nephritis is accompanied with abnormal immune system. To manage this disease, patients often need to take steroids or immunosuppressants that work through weakening patients' immune system. All of these make Lupus Nephritis patients at a high risk of infections especially in intestinal tract and urinary tract. If the gastrointestinal tract is infected, 10% of these cases will develop into IBS.
Besides, deposits of waste products and mental stress can also induce irritable bowel syndrome.
Managements for IBS in Lupus Nephritis
* Dietary modification: After learning about patients' dietary habits, they are required to stay away from sensitive foods, gas-producing foods, high-fat foods, and so on.
* Medications: A lot of medicines can help alleviate patients' IBS, but the prescription should depend on patients' illness condition. For example, gastrointestinal spasmolysis medicine, laxative, psychotropic drugs, the intestinal probiotics, etc, are medicines used commonly to deal with IBS.
* Treatments to treat Lupus Nephritis: Only if lupus nephritis is overcome from the root, can patients get rid of its related complications. Leave a message below to learn more about these therapies.
Tag: Lupus Nephritis Symptoms Lupus Nephritis
