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...
Inflammation, infection, chemical imbalances, physical deterioration and autoimmune reactions can cause joint disease. Common joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis typically cause progressive joint destruction and...
In healthy people, the immune system functions to protect the body against infection by destroying bacteria or other pathogens. If your immune system abnormally attacks the healthy tissues or cells in your body, you may be diagnosed with a...
Glands in the throat, or lymph nodes, are small clusters of cells that are covered by a protective layer of connective tissue. The main function of glands is to filter lymphatic fluid and drain and remove potentially harmful invaders. Glands in...
Penicillin is an antibiotic used to treat systemic (throughout the body) infections. Many people experience allergic reactions to penicillin. Billie Ann Wilson, Ph.D., Margaret Shannon, Ph.D., and Kelly Shields Pharm.D., authors of "Pearson...
Systemic lupus erythmatosus is a condition in which the immune system attacks the organs and connective tissues. While any organ system may be affected, the skin, heart, kidneys and brain are the most common targets of the disease. Symptoms are...
Living with a chronic disease can be challenging, but many supplements help ease symptoms and can be a healthy addition to your established treatment. Flaxseed has shown beneficial effects in lupus patients, helping to alleviate symptoms and...
Lupus is a disease that can be a problem in various areas of the body. The Mayo Clinic reports that it is inflammation caused by your own immune system attacking your organs and tissues. This inflammation can affect such organs as your lungs,...
Corticosteroids are prescribed for many diseases to reduce pain, inflammation and swelling. Lupus, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are just a few of the many diseases that benefit from long-term corticosteroid treatment. However, some side...
Hypothyroidism is a condition of decreased activity by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the neck. It secretes hormones that are important for the body's metabolism and functions. In hypothyroidism, the gland secretes lesser...
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that causes joint pain in many parts of the body. This pain is typically seen or felt in the small joints of the wrists, fingers and feet. Because it is an inflammatory disease with body wide...
Lupus affects approximately 1.5 million people in the U.S., and 90 percent of them are women, according to data estimates from the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. Although many people with lupus often also experience some form of allergy,...
Vitamin deficiencies tend to go hand in hand with many chronic diseases and conditions, such as lupus. Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that your body needs to function properly, and without the right balance of vitamins and...
Systemic lupus erythematosus--better known as lupus or SLE--is an autoimmune disease affecting the skin, kidneys, lungs, joints and other body organs. The immune system protects the body from infectious agents. To do this, it has a system for...
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to overreact, making it hard for the body to distinguish between foreign invaders and its own tissues and cells. Because of this, the immune system forms antibodies, which causes the...
Muscle aches and pains are a very common occurrence and can be associated with other symptoms such as swelling and redness. In some instances, pain that seems to be associated with muscles actually occurs because of injury or dysfunction in a...
RA, or rheumatoid arthritis, is known as a collagen vascular disease. According to MedlinePlus, collagen vascular diseases are a group of diseases that affect the collagen that makes up the tendons, bones and connective tissues of the body. As in...
Your immune system protects your body from developing diseases and infections. But when you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system mistakenly attacks itself. There are more than eighty different types of autoimmune diseases that can...
Thigh muscle inflammation and tightness can happen to anyone -- no matter your age, gender or fitness level. Because symptoms can be extreme and interfere with daily activity and exercise, it is important to understand why swelling and tightness...
About 20 percent of Americans experience hives during their lifetime, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Hives are red, swollen patches of skin that are extremely itchy and are usually the result of an allergic reaction, according...
Lupus affects 5 million people worldwide, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. Every year, over 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported across the world. While the causes of lupus are still not fully understood, it is known that lupus is...
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, there is no specific diet for individuals with lupus. In general, a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet is best. An important factor when determining which foods to include or exclude from the diet is...
Lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that may manifest itself in different ways. In general, if your have lupus, your immune system erroneously attacks some of your cells and tissues, much as it would attack foreign substances or...
Systemic lupus erythematosus, or lupus, is an autoimmune disorder that can affect various parts of your body. Nearly all people with lupus experience some type of joint pain or swelling. Although some experts suggest that avoiding foods from the...
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are two oils found in fish oils, flaxseed and krill oils. These oils are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are touted for their heart-health benefits. Understanding how the fatty...
Soy protein powder is made from soy protein isolate that has been separated or isolated from other components of the soybean, making it nearly carbohydrate and fat-free. The content of bio-active components in soy protein isolate may vary from...
Migratory arthritis is an uncommon condition where arthritis symptoms travel from one joint to another. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, redness, warmth and stiffness. In most cases, the cause of migratory arthritis is an underlying medical...
Fibromyalgia is a misunderstood syndrome that affects approximately 10 million people in the United States, 90 percent of whom are women. Fibromyalgia is a collection of symptoms that is often difficult to diagnose and is frequently associated...
Tissues in the body may trap excessive fluid and cause swelling, which is referred to as edema. Individuals commonly notice this swelling in the hands, feet, ankles and legs, according to MayoClinic.com. Small amounts of swelling are normal and...
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that causes a general inflammation of bodily tissues. Learn about the proper diet for lupus in this video.
