Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that occurs when your body's own immune system attacks its tissues and organs.  If you are looking for treatment for lupus in Manhattan, Dr. Waseem Mir, a Rheumatologist in Manhattan and in Massapequa on Long Island offers treatment options for those dealing with lupus.

With lupus, the immune system is hindered, therefore, does not function properly when it comes to the ability for the body to fight off bacteria, viruses, and germs. The immune system produces a protein known as “antibodies” which protects the body from those foreign invaders. Instead, with lupus, the body becomes autoimmune, meaning it is not capable of recognizing the foreign invaders from the healthy tissue and produces ”autoantibodies” which destroy the healthy tissue. As a result, these autoantibodies can cause inflammation, pain, and damage to certain parts of the body.

With the immune system not functioning properly, there are several serious health risks involved. The most severe health risks are cardiovascular disease, stroke, or kidney disease. In some lupus infected individuals, inflammation may occur in the heart or the surrounding membrane. Those affected by kidney diseases are required to have intensive drug treatments to prevent permanent kidney damage from occurring.

Since lupus is a very serious disease, you should consult with a doctor like Dr. Waseem Mir, before taking any medications to make sure they are the right ones for you. There are a variety of different treatment options that are available:

• For dealing with inflammation, anti-inflammatories such as Advil, Motrin, or Aleve are safe to use when dealing with flare-ups. Long-term use of pain medication can have negative side effects, so it is important that you talk to your rheumatologist in order to discuss your options.
• Immunosuppressive drugs are medications often prescribed by your rheumatologist which can help control your symptoms.

When suffering from lupus here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Limit your stress and fatigue, by taking the time to get the rest you need. Whether that is going to bed early or practicing meditation, your symptoms will be reduced when you take care of yourself.
• Protecting and taking care of your skin is very important. UV rays can cause lupus flare-ups, so using SPF regularly is key
• Maintaining overall good health is important, keeping up to date with your vaccinations especially during seasons with a higher frequency of illness (flu season). Washing your hands multiple times a day is a simple yet effective way to help prevent illness. Eating healthy and maintaining a healthy level of blood pressure and cholesterol are also important.

If you are dealing with this disease and are looking for treatment for lupus in Manhattan, Dr. Waseem Mir is a Rheumatologist in Manhattan at New York Integrated Rheumatology. He can offer treatment options specific to you and your symptoms and will work with you to help you manage and potentially eliminate your lupus.