The treatment and management of lupus is centered around drugs
to minimize disease activity and prevent flare-ups. Because the
cause is unknown, its inflammatory mechanisms are the target of
medication. Lupus is a chronic, lifelong disease. Many people
with lupus lead relatively normal lives. Some are moderately
debilitated and a few are very ill. Early attention to your
lifestyle can help minimize the effects of lupus. The most
dangerous complication of lupus is lupus nephritis, which can
destroy your kidney function and require dialysis or a
transplant to keep you alive. Current medications help prevent
this complication. Treatment involves the following:Lifestyle
changesMedicationsAlternative and complementary therapies
Surgery is not a standard treatment option for lupus. However,
if you have lupus nephritis and it leads to kidney failure, you
may need to have a kidney transplant. - Reviewer: Rosalyn
Carson-DeWitt, MD - Update Date: 09/26/2011 -