What is the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus, their symptoms, causes, and effective treatment methods are both autoimmune diseases that occur as a result of a disorder in the immune system. Rheumatoid arthritis primarily targets the joints, while lupus attacks any organ in the body, including the skin, brain, and kidneys. We will discuss the difference between them and their effective treatment methods in the rest of the article.
What is rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system directly attacks the lining of the joints, resulting in severe joint inflammation. If left untreated, the condition can progress to joint erosion or deformity.
What is lupus erythematosus
Lupus is a systemic disease that can attack any part of the body, including the brain, skin, joints, kidneys, and other organs. It occurs when the immune system attacks the body's tissues and organs.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
- Swelling in one or more joints.
- Joint stiffness, especially in the morning.
- Significant weight loss.
- General weakness and fatigue.
- The appearance of rheumatic bumps.
- Swelling and inflammation of the joints.
- Fever.
Symptoms of lupus include:
- Joint pain and swelling.
- Fever and fatigue.
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest pain.
- Headache and memory loss.
- Butterfly-shaped rash on the face, covering the cheeks.
- Rash elsewhere on the body.
- Skin lesions that worsen with sun exposure.
- White or blue discoloration of the fingers and toes.
- Dry eyes.
Causes of rheumatoid arthritis
One of the main causes of rheumatoid arthritis is that the immune system incorrectly attacks the lining of the joints, leading to chronic inflammation and erosion of the synovial membrane and adjacent bones.
What are the causes of lupus
Lupus can be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Other possible causes include:
- Sunlight can trigger lupus skin lesions or trigger an internal response in people susceptible to the disease.
- Infections can trigger lupus or cause relapse after recovery.
- Some blood pressure medications and antibiotics can trigger lupus.
What's the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
Rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints, damaging them and causing stiffness, while lupus attacks any organ in the body, including the skin, joints, brain, and kidneys. It's a systemic disease that doesn't cause joint destruction like rheumatoid arthritis.
Complications of Lupus
Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many areas of the body, including:
- The central nervous system and brain. When lupus reaches the brain, a person may experience headaches and dizziness, and some suffer from memory problems.
- The kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure.
- It can cause inflammation of the heart muscle or arteries and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.
- Lupus can lead to blood problems, including a decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells.
- It increases the risk of inflammation of the lining of the chest cavity, making breathing painful.
How can rheumatoid arthritis be treated and prevented
- Injectable medications prevent chemicals in the blood from signaling the immune system to attack the joints.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are used for rheumatoid arthritis patients.
- Regular and regular exercise.
- Losing excess weight.
- Quitting smoking.
Treatment of lupus erythematosus
There is no definitive cure for lupus, but it can be controlled with medications:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, to relieve pain, swelling, and fever.
- Antimalarial drugs used to treat malaria, such as hydroxychloroquine.
- Corticosteroids. Prednisone and other corticosteroids can combat the inflammation caused by lupus.
- Immunosuppressants are used in severe cases of lupus.
Methods for Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed based on a clinical examination, blood tests, CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays, along with immune system tests.
Diagnosis of lupus is based on a combination of tests. After reviewing the medical history, a physical examination is performed to look for characteristic symptoms. Blood and urine tests are performed, and sometimes a biopsy of body tissue, such as skin or kidney tissue, is performed.
What should a lupus patient eat
Lupus patients are advised to eat foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as nuts and fatty fish, as they improve sleep quality and reduce depression.
Also, take vitamin D supplements, as they help boost the immune system and support bone and joint health.
Summary of the Difference Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus
Rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects and damages the joints, and if left untreated, can lead to joint erosion or deformity.
Lupus, on the other hand, attacks any organ in the body, including the kidneys, joints, and skin, but does not cause joint destruction as rheumatoid arthritis does.