Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus, is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes pain and inflammation in the joints, muscles and skin, and it also affects many organs. An autoimmune disease is where the immune system attacks healthy parts of the body, as if it were responding to a threat. Because the body is working against itself, autoimmune diseases are often difficult to treat.
The exact cause of lupus is not known, but it could be brought on by a number of factors such as puberty, childbirth, menopause, a virus, or after taking some medications. More women than men tend to develop lupus, and it is more prevalent in black and Asian ethnicities.
There is not yet a cure for lupus. Instead, treatments consist of managing symptoms which may come and go, or they may be constant.
Lupus symptoms may be mild, moderate or severe. They include:
- pain in the muscles and joints
- fatigue, often extreme
- rashes – one characteristic of lupus is a rash in the shape of a butterfly across the nose, cheeks and sometimes forehead.
Less frequent symptoms of lupus:
- headaches
- rashes caused by skin exposure to light
- raised temperature
- mouth ulcers
- hair loss
For people with lupus erythematosus, finding ways to keep the symptoms at bay can be a challenge. Getting a correct diagnosis is the first step in finding ways to manage the symptoms. Often, lupus can go undiagnosed as some of the symptoms have similarities with other conditions.
Traditional Treatment Options for Lupus
One of the most common ways to treat lupus is medications. This may consist of:
- anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen.
- steroids are often used as a treatment for lupus pain and inflammation, as well as for skin rashes.
- medications that act on the immune system by lowering the amount of anti-bodies in the blood. This is usually used in severe cases of lupus.
While medications may provide relief, long-term use is not recommended and they could cause unwanted side-effects.
Other ways to manage lupus is to take preventative action to avoid flare-ups. This includes wearing a high factor sunscreen every day and covering up in the sun.
Finding out what triggers lupus is also useful. For example, stress can sometimes bring about a flare-up of symptoms. Keeping stress to a minimum, making time to relax, as well as eating healthily and getting regular exercise can help to manage symptoms.
Looking after overall health is supported by taking supplements. Getting enough vitamins, especially vitamin D, is important for people with lupus. Vitamin D comes from sunlight, as this may be low in those with lupus as they need to avoid too much exposure to sunlight.
Supplements such as CBD oil are also helpful in managing lupus, and provides a natural alternative to some medications. Using CBD oil may mean that people rely less on pain relief medications, as well as potentially reducing other forms of medication.
CBD Oil for Lupus
CBD, cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in hemp plants. Hemp is part of the cannabis family of plants, as is marijuana. Yet, both plants are vastly different in their cannabinoid content and hemp plants do not make users high. CBD oil is safe to use, even at high doses, and does not produce any feelings of being high. CBD oil is also well-tolerated, and produces very few side-effects, if any.
Research into CBD, lupus and its symptoms has shown interesting results, especially in the reduction of inflammation. One study by researchers at the University of South Carolina and School of Medicine, Columbia, showed that “Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory response and subsequently attenuate disease symptoms.”1 This suggests that symptoms of inflammatory conditions, including lupus, are reduced through the use of cannabinoids such as CBD.
CBD is also known to be a powerful pain reliever, and those with chronic pain often look for natural alternatives as a way to lower dependence on prescribed or over-the-counter painkillers. With growing documented and anecdotal evidence on CBD and pain relief, it makes sense that CBD is also beneficial in reducing the levels of pain associated with lupus.
Another study looked at how immune response could be controlled using CBD. It states, “Considering all the studies conducted on immune responses and inflammation, the data overwhelmingly demonstrate that CBD is immune suppressive and anti-inflammatory.”2 This shows that CBD oil is an effective immune suppressive, and because lupus is an autoimmune condition, CBD oil may help regulate immune system response and reduce symptoms.
As with any medication or supplement, finding the optimal dosage is essential in getting the best restorative results. The CBD dosage for lupus will differ from person to person, as factors such as age, weight, height and more should be taken into consideration. In order to find the best CBD dosage, our CBD dosage calculator gives you a personal recommendation in minutes. For an accurate starting dose, simply enter a few details about yourself and your condition, and your result will be displayed on screen. We also send it to your email address for your reference.
If you are looking to try CBD oil for lupus, getting the best quality oil will ensure the most therapeutic effects. Purchase CBD only from trusted brands that use organic hemp, and where you are able to view the laboratory analysis for each batch made. This ensures you get a high grade CBD oil that is better value for money and more potent.
CBD is a useful supplement in supporting lupus treatment as it is both an anti-inflammatory and immune suppressant. In addition, its pain-relieving properties makes it even more useful as an alternative treatment, reducing the need for pain medications. As research into CBD and lupus increases, the more we will learn about its potential in treating autoimmune diseases.
What you should know about CBD Oil and Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and pain. It affects the joints, muscles and skin, and it can also affect organs such as the heart and kidneys. The cause of lupus could be due to taking medications, the onset of puberty or the menopause, after a viral infection, or it may not have an obvious cause.
The main symptoms of lupus are pain in the joints and muscles, extreme fatigue and skin rashes. Lupus rash can be anywhere on the body, but on the face it usually shows as a butterfly shape across the cheeks and nose. Other symptom of lupus can include headaches, mouth ulcers, raised temperature and hair loss.
There is no cure for lupus, but CBD oil can help to manage the symptoms. CBD is a known anti-inflammatory and immune suppressant. It is also effective in relieving pain.
The CBD dosage that brings the best therapy for lupus will depend on the individual. There are many factors that determine an effective dosage, such as sex, age, height, weight and the severity of the symptoms. Using our CBD oil calculator makes finding the best dosage easy. All you need to do is input a few details about yourself and your condition, and you get a personalised recommendation.