Which Men Are Most Likely To Be Affected By Lupus? The Answer Is Unknown To Anyone

Oct 08, 2024

Lupus, this "flower-destroying ruthless hand", has a special liking for beautiful women (women).


However, research has found that the "male" lupus group is also silently suffering, but lacks a channel to speak out, and urgently needs our attention.

Click to Cistanche for kidney disease

Male patients are directly adjusted to the "difficult mode" in terms of affected organs, disease severity, complications and outcomes, and the mortality rate is significantly higher than that of female patients. Speaking of this, I really want to give them a "blood recovery package".

Lupus, men and women show different symptoms [1-6]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), this "invisible killer", has a "preference" for gender: 9 out of 10 patients are women, and the remaining 1 male patient seems a little lonely.


But from another perspective, there are 1 million lupus patients in my country, which means that there are at least 100,000 male lupus patients in my country, which is a large group.


In reality, many men always feel that this disease has little to do with them and rarely learn about it. In addition, the symptoms of lupus are complex and hidden, so it is easy to be ignored or delayed.


For example, male patients may attribute joint pain to sports injuries, and would not think that it may be an autoimmune problem.


However, the characteristics, symptoms and treatment methods of lupus in men are very different from those in women. Let's talk about the "doorway" in this.

Difference 1 Different causes

Studies have shown that the risk of first-degree relatives of lupus patients is 17 times higher than that of the general population. Although female relatives are also affected, the relative risk of male relatives is higher. [1]

Ultraviolet rays can induce or aggravate lupus. In life and work, men have more opportunities to engage in outdoor activities and be exposed to ultraviolet rays than women, but they rarely use sunscreen. This may increase the chances of induction and aggravation of male patients, but there is currently a lack of research on this aspect and further exploration is needed.

Difference 2 Age of onset

Lupus erythematosus in men usually develops after the age of 30 (some studies believe it is 14-65 years old), while most female patients are "infected" between the childbearing age (15-45 years old) [3, 6], and the age of onset in male patients is relatively later.


Studies have shown that the onset of lupus erythematosus is related to sex hormones, and estrogen plays a "fueling" role in the onset of lupus erythematosus in women.

Difference 3 Disease severity and location

Studies have shown that lupus erythematosus in male patients often manifests more "ferociously" and has a higher incidence of organ damage. Men are more likely to be "attacked" by "lupus nephritis", while female patients may be more often "harassed" by skin and joints.


Male lupus erythematosus patients are always accompanied by a series of "troubles" in the circulatory system. For example, vasculitis, hypertension, dyslipidemia, ischemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, pulmonary embolism and thrombosis.


Moreover, bad habits such as smoking in men are like fueling the cardiovascular system, further increasing these risks.


The incidence of neuropsychiatric lupus is higher in men (7.9%) than in women (4.5%), and this is even more true for pleurisy, with the incidence in men as high as 34.9% [1].

Difference 4: Different symptoms

Skin symptoms


Common skin symptoms in female patients are mainly butterfly rash and photosensitivity, while male patients may have more exaggerated skin damage, such as skin ulcers and more extensive rashes.


Joint symptoms


Joint symptoms in male patients are usually accompanied by more intense pain and swelling, while female patients may have milder joint symptoms and are more likely to experience morning stiffness.


Visceral damage


Male patients are more likely to be "sieged" by the heart, lungs and kidneys, especially the higher incidence of lupus nephritis. Female patients may more often experience abnormalities in the blood system, such as anemia and thrombocytopenia.

Difference 5 Treatment Differences

Drug Selection

Male patients may need higher doses of immunosuppressants for treatment. Commonly used drugs include glucocorticoids, hydroxychloroquine and immunosuppressants (such as cyclophosphamide).

Female patients are like "walking a tightrope" during pregnancy. They should pay special attention to the choice of drugs to avoid affecting the fetus.


Monitoring and Follow-up

Because the condition of male patients is often more serious, doctors should monitor the damage of renal function and other organs more frequently during follow-up. Female patients need to pay attention to the impact of menstrual cycle and childbirth on the condition.

Summary

Among lupus patients, male and female patients have obvious differences in age of onset, symptom manifestations, and treatment plans.

For male patients, understanding these differences is the key to better prevention and early identification of symptoms and timely control of the disease.

"Health is the best confidence", male compatriots, don't just work hard, remember to take good care of your body, exercise moderately, enhance immunity, and don't let "lupus" take advantage of the opportunity!

How Does Cistanche Treat Kidney Disease?

Cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat various health conditions, including kidney disease. It is derived from the dried stems of Cistanche deserticola, a plant native to the deserts of China and Mongolia. The main active components of cistanche are phenylethanoid glycosides, echinacoside, and acteoside, which have been found to have beneficial effects on kidney health.

 

Kidney disease, also known as renal disease, refers to a condition in which the kidneys are not functioning properly. This can result in a buildup of waste products and toxins in the body, leading to various symptoms and complications. Cistanche may help treat kidney disease ase through several mechanisms.

 

Firstly, cistanche has been found to have diuretic properties, meaning it can increase urine production and help eliminate waste products from the body. This can help relieve the burden on the kidneys and prevent the buildup of toxins. By promoting diuresis, cistanche may also help Reduce high blood pressure, a common complication of kidney disease.

 

Moreover, cistanche has been shown to have antioxidant effects. Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's antioxidant defenses, plays a key role in the progression of kidney disease. ies help neutralize free radicals and reduce Oxidative stress, thereby protecting the kidneys from damage. The phenylethanoid glycosides found in cistanche have been particularly effective in scavenging free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

 

Additionally, cistanche has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is another key factor in the development and progression of kidney disease. Cistanche's anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit the activation of inflammation mandatory pathways, thus alleviating inflammation in the kidneys.

 

Furthermore, cistanche has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects. In kidney disease, the immune system can be dysregulated, leading to excessive inflammation and tissue damage. Cistanche helps regulate the immune response by modulating the production and activity of immune cells, such as T cells and macrophages. This immune regulation helps reduce inflammation and prevent further damage to the kidneys.

 

Moreover, cistanche has been found to improve renal function by promoting the regeneration of renal tubes with cells. Renal tubular epithelial cells play a crucial role in the filtration and reabsorption of waste products and electrolytes. In kidney disease, these cells can be damaged, leading to damaged renal function. Cistanche's ability to promote the regeneration of these cells helps restore proper renal function and improve overall kidney health.

 

In addition to these direct effects on the kidneys, cistanche has been found to have beneficial effects on other organs and systems in the body. This holistic approach to health is particularly important in kidney disease, as the condition often affects multiple organs and systems. che has been shown to have protective effects on the liver, heart, and blood vessels, which are commonly affected by kidney disease. By promoting the health of these organs, cistanche helps improve overall kidney function and prevent further complications.

 

In conclusion, cistanche is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for centuries to treat kidney disease. Its active components have diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects, which help improve renal function and protect the kidneys from further damage. , cistanche has beneficial effects on other organs and systems, making it a holistic approach to treating kidney disease.


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