Auto antibodies In SLE react against body's own tissues. Almost 90% of SLE patients are young to middle-aged women.
A young woman with joint symptoms & renal disease or with skin lesion and pleuritis may prove to have SLE.
SLE Causes:
Heredity (genes inherited)
Environment
Hormones
Infection:
Viral or bacterial infection can trigger SLE in vulnerable people.
Epstein-Barr virus recurrent infection which can cause mononucleosis can trigger it.
Certain prescribed medications have been found to trigger SLE.
Patterns of Lupus according to TCM:
1- Qi and Blood Stagnation : Symmetrical butterfly facial erythema, which is red and covered with adhesive grayish-white scales, associated with hypochondriac distention and pain, headache, eye pain, abdominal distention, poor appetite, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, deep red tongue with petechia, yellow & thin tongue coating, wiry and unsmooth rapid Pulse.
Treatment:
Acupuncture points on Spleen and Stomach meridians will be selected as well as Liver to improve Qi and Blood stagnation, herbs can be administered accordingly.
2- Excess Toxic Heat: Acute onset, persistent fever, erythema or ecchymosis on skin, hematemesis, epistaxis, hemafecia, purpura, soreness & pain of muscles, arthralgia, irritability and insomnia, even coma, delirium & convulsion in severe cases, deep red tongue with yellow or exfoliated tongue coating, bounding
and rapid pulse.
Treatment: Acupuncture points on Spleen and Liver or Large Intestinc meridians will be selected as clear toxic heat, herbs can be administered accordingly.
3- Heat and Water Retention: Stuffiness and pain of chest, palpitation, fever, burning feeling of nose and mouth, dry mouth & thirst, erythema, yellow thick and greasy tongue, red tongue ,fast & slippery pulse.
Treatment: Acupuncture points on Spleen, Kidney and Lung meridians will be selected as clear balance water metabolism and clear heat, herbs can be administered accordingly.
4- Heart and Kidney Yang deficiency: Indistinct or on erythema, chills, cold limbs, painful loins & knees, lassitude, puffy face, edema of limbs, palpitation, shortness of breath, cold abdomen and loose stools, swollen, tender and pale tongue with white tongue and teeth marks on its margins, deep, thready & weak pulse.
Treatment: Acupuncture points on Spleen, Kidney and Heart meridians will be selected as clear balance water metabolism and clear heat, herbs can be administered accordingly.