How Smoking Affects Lupus
Smoking has been found to have multiple negative effects on individuals with lupus. Research indicates that cigarette smoking acts as an environmental trigger for lupus, potentially worsening the symptoms of the disease. Moreover, smoking interacts with genes and triggers inflammation, further exacerbating lupus symptoms in susceptible individuals.
Additionally, studies have shown that smoking can hinder the effectiveness of certain medications used to manage lupus. This can result in increased symptom severity and difficulties in controlling the disease.
Medications
Medications that can potentially lead to lupus include procainamide, a drug used for heart arrhythmias, and hydralazine, which is prescribed for high blood pressure. Individuals who take procainamide have a approximately 30 percent chance of developing lupus, while the risk for those taking hydralazine falls between five and ten percent.
Diagnosing drug-induced lupus can be challenging as it may take several weeks or even months for symptoms to manifest. Joint pain is often the initial indication and is present in about 90 percent of cases.