West Hills Hospital & Medical Center

What Is Lupus?

Lupus, also called systemic lupus erythematosus, is an autoimmune disease affecting the connective tissues and organs of the body. Like other autoimmune diseases, lupus occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly recognizes the body’s own healthy tissue as a dangerous foreign substance and tries to eliminate it. There are four main types of lupus: systemic, discoid, drug-induced, and neonatal. 

• Systemic lupus erythematosus:
  Often called SLE, this form of lupus has the ability to adversely affect any organ in the human body, from the joints to the nervous tissue. This form of lupus often leads to symptoms that affect the whole body, such as fatigue.

• Discoid lupus erythematosus:
  This form of lupus is confined to the skin and only produces symptoms there.

• Drug-induced lupus:
  This disease can occur due to a side effect of certain prescription medications.Although it presents just like SLE, it is different in that it is caused by a drug and can usually be cured by discontinuing the drug in question.

• Neonatal lupus:
  Neonatal lupus is seen in developing infants of mothers who suffer from SLE or Sjogren's disease.

Although the cause of SLE is unknown, medical scientists have determined that black, Native American, Asian, or Hispanic women of childbearing age are at an increased risk of developing the condition. To treat lupus, physicians will often prescribe medications to control the symptoms and reduce any flare-ups of the disease. The symptoms of a lupus flare-up typically include:

• Inflamed, swollen, and painful joints, usually affecting the hands and feet
• Fever of one to two degrees above normal
• Weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite
• A characteristic skin rash on the nose and cheeks which resembles a butterfly

Do you still have questions about lupus and its effects? You can learn more about this disease by visiting the Lupus Foundation website or contacting the healthcare experts at West Hills Hospital. Our staff is always available to provide helpful medical advice—call us today at (818) 676-4321.

Learn About Nutrition, Weight Loss, and More!

If you enjoyed our recent blog posts, look through the following resources to find out more about living healthy and feeling well. If you have any remaining health-related questions, you can contact West Hills Hospital & Medical Center by calling (818) 676-4321 at any time.

• Learn more about Autism by visiting the Autism Society website.
   
• There are three degrees of burns. The American Academy of Family Physicians describes the types of burns and how they are treated on their website.
   
• Learn how to prevent burns in your home by checking out this article found on the American College of Emergency Physicians website.
   
• Lymphedema can occur as a result of certain cancer treatments. This article from the American Cancer Society provides more information about lymphedema and its management.
   
• You can take steps to prevent cancer—read this guide from the National Cancer Institute to learn more.
   
• What is distracted driving? Find out by visiting Distraction.gov.
   
• You can make a difference by turning your phone off or putting it away when you are driving. Get the facts about the dangers of distracted driving on FocusDriven.org.
   
• Returning to everyday life after cancer treatment can be challenging. Find help on the American Cancer Society website.
   
• Bariatric surgery can have a variety of benefits—this article from the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery describes how surgical weight loss can improve your overall health.
   
• Are you getting the nutrients you need to be healthy? Find out by visiting the American Heart Association website. 

Happy Mother's Day! from West Hills Hospital & Medical Center

In celebration of Mother’s Day, we’ve put together a list of quotes honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society:

• A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.  --Washington Irving (1783-1859)
   
• Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.  --Marion C. Garretty
   
• Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.  --Lin Yutang, Chinese writer
   
• There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one.  --Jill Churchill
   
• To the world you might just be one person, but to your mother you are the world.  --Author Unknown

*View our full list of Mother’s Day quotes

Living Life After Cancer

Cancer is a deadly disease that can take dozens of different forms. Fortunately, innovations in cancer diagnosis and treatment have allowed millions of cancer sufferers to defeat the disease and live long, active lives. If you have recently ended your cancer treatment and have also defeated your cancer diagnosis, you may be wondering what happens next. Below you can learn more about what you can expect from life after cancer. 

Attend regular follow-up appointments with your doctor
Even though your treatment has come to an end, it is still important to see your cancer specialist regularly. Depending on your situation, you may need to visit with your physician every few months or possibly only a couple times per year. During your visit, your doctor will perform a physical exam and possibly some x-rays or blood tests. These visits also provide you with an excellent opportunity to bring up any health problems that you may be having or ask any questions that may arise between appointments.

Cope with any fear or anxiety that may be troubling you
It is completely natural to feel certain amounts of anxiety before you attend your follow-up visits. You may be afraid that your physician will notify you that your cancer has returned and that you must restart your treatment. Arming yourself with detailed information about your cancer, expressing your feelings to those close to you, staying active, and maintaining a positive attitude can help you to overcome these negative feelings.

Develop a wellness plan to improve your physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health
One of the most important things you can do to improve your life after defeating cancer is to commit to improving your overall health. Develop a wellness plan that is focused on eliminating any bad habits that you may have and replacing them with healthy, positive ones.

Happy Nurses Week from HCA and West Hills Hospital & Medical Center

We're fortunate have some of the best nurses around. We thank you all and wish you a Happy Nurses Week!