Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are both autoimmune disorders. Rheumatoid arthritis is often associated with the joints, especially the hands and fingers. There are several different types of lupus. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most...
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus are both chronic conditions that cause joint pain and inflammation. They are both systemic diseases, which means they can cause general symptoms such as fatigue, and they can affect various organs in the body....
Spirulina is a health food supplement of blue-green algae. Found in the alkaline waters of Africa and Mexico, it is rich in B-complex vitamins, vitamin E, manganese, selenium and protein. Spirulina is also rich in chlorophyll, which may increase...
Dry eyes are caused by imbalances in tear production or a decreased production of fluids. Our eyes produce tears and are then covered in a thin film that is designed to prevent dryness and provide clear vision. These tears are a mixture of water,...
Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are chronic inflammatory diseases in which the body's immune system produces auto-antibodies against the tissues and organs. The inflammation caused by lupus affects many different body organs...
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), an estimated five million Americans 18 years and older are affected by fibromyalgia. Although most are diagnosed in middle age and 80 to 90 percent...
Body rashes can be disturbing not only because of their appearance, but also because of the uncomfortable symptoms than can accompany them. Itching, swelling, oozing and pain can all be a part of developing a body rash. Fortunately, most rashes...
Beta-carotene is a type of carotenoid that has antioxidant function. Your body can also turn beta-carotene into vitamin A, but will only turn beta-carotene into vitamin A if you need it, preventing you from overdosing on vitamin A through your...
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that is characterized by pain, redness, swelling and warmth in the small joints of the fingers, wrists and feet. It is an autoimmune disease--a disease in which the body's immune system attacks the...
Hydroxychlor, also called hydroxychloroquine or Plaquenil, is primarily used to treat lupus, malaria and rheumatoid arthritis. It acts as an anti-parasitic medication as well as an anti-inflammatory. In order to prevent malaria, MayoClinic.com...
Plaquenil, sold under the generic name of hydroxychloroquine sulfate, is a medication used to prevent and treat malaria, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosis (autoimmune disease characterized by a butterfly rash on your face and skin or...
Typhoid is a bacteria infection caused by salmonella typhi bacteria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, typhoid affects 21.5 million people in developing countries. Typhoid is not common in the United States. Fewer than...
Flaxseed oil has a nutty, sweet flavor and is an alternative to fish oil for vegans or others who may be unable or unwilling to take fish oil supplements. Flaxseed oil contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a precursor to EPA and DHA, two omega-3...
Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial medication. It's most often used to prevent and treat malaria, but has also been prescribed to reduce symptoms of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis when other medications have failed. While it's not commonly...
Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a chronic disorder of the immune system that causes painful, swollen joints, fever and fatigue. It can be confused with other types of arthritis and other rheumatic disorders. Your doctor might also want to rule out...
Patients who have certain types of immune system diseases, such as hepatitis, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, or who have recently undergone an organ transplantation, may be prescribed a medication called Imuran. Imuran is an injectable...
The peripheral nerves, the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, control multiple functions in the body, including the internal organs, movement and sensation. When these nerves are damaged, the brain's signals to the rest of the brain are...
Fats often get a bad rap, but they perform numerous functions in the body, including hormone production and the development and maintenance of the nervous system. Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, essential fats that evidence...
Flaxseed is at the heart of the natural and organic foods movement, as it is one of the few vegetarian sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which the University of Maryland Medical Center describes as essential for good brain and heart health....
Corticosteroids are man-made drugs that closely resemble cortisol, a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands. Corticosteroids are prescribed to reduce inflammation in conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and allergies....
Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses potent chemicals to kill rapidly growing cells in the body. It is typically associated with fighting cancer cells, but the American Cancer Society notes that in lower doses chemotherapy is also beneficial...
A low white blood cell (WBC) count, known as leukopenia, can be caused by diseases such as leukemia, cancer, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and some medications, according to the Mayo Clinic. Normal white blood count is 5,000 to 10,000 WBCs per...
Physicians may prescribe the generically named medication chloroquine phosphate in the treatment or prevention of the insect-borne disease malaria. The medicine, sold in the United Kingdom and elsewhere with the brand name Avloclor, also can help...
Polyneuropathy is a type of peripheral neuropathy that occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own nerves. Symptoms of polyneuropathy present in an acute or chronic manner depending on the pathology of the condition. Acute symptoms...
Proteolytic enzymes, sometimes called proteases, are enzymes found in your body that help break down proteins ingested when eating into their base elements. These enzymes enter your digestive system and then pass through your stomach or intestines...
Aloe vera has a long history of use as a treatment for skin disorders, burns and wounds. At one time, aloe vera was widely used as a treatment for constipation, but the use of aloe vera as a laxative is no longer recommended because of gentler...
Antibodies are protein compounds made and secreted by white blood cells that recognize and attack viruses, bacteria and other foreign substances in the body. They are also called immunoglobulins and are found in the blood, spinal fluid and other...
Motor and sensory nerves branch out from the spinal cord and through your body. When damage occurs to these peripheral nerves, you may feel discomfort in your extremities. The symptoms of foot neuropathy, also known as peripheral neuropathy,...
Hodgkins lymphoma is a type of cancer caused by immune system cells called lymphocytes, which include several different types of cells that help the body fight infections. The type of lymphocyte that usually becomes cancerous in Hodgkins lymphoma...
Autoimmune disorders are conditions that occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders. Learn about the various autoimmune disorders including...
