What is it?
Lupus is an auto-immune disease that occurs when the body attacks its own tissue. This disease is chronic and causes the body to become allergic to itself, the body experiences inflammation, rashes, burning, and pain. Lupus affects the kidneys, brain, blood, heart, lungs, joints, and skin. Lupus is a difficult disease to diagnose because it mimics the symptoms of other ailments such as arthritis, another auto-immune disease. The most distinct sign of lupus attacking the body is a butterfly rash on the cheeks of the face, although this occurs in most cases of lupus, it doesn't occur in all cases. Some people are born with tendency to develop lupus that is triggered by certain infections, and medications, but this doesn't limit to the triggers, some people are triggered by natural occurring objects such as sunlight or water. Lupus is caused by sunlight, which causes lesions that bring on an internal response. It can also be caused by certain medications and infections. Infection can initiate or even relapse a lupus patient. Medications, such as anti-seizure meds, blood-pressure meds, and antibiotics. Drug related lupus usually goes away when the patient stops taking the medication.
How is it treated?
There are several medications that can be used to treat lupus and reduce the pain.
-NSAID Drugs (Ibuprofen)
-Anti-Malarial Drugs
-Immunosuppressants
-NSAID Drugs (Ibuprofen)
-Anti-Malarial Drugs
-Immunosuppressants
How is it diagnosed?
Lupus is a very unpredictable conditions and no two cases are alike. Symptoms of lupus may come on slowly, or come and go, they vary from severe to mild, and people with the mild disease may only have "flare ups." Signs and symptoms of the disease will depend on which body system is affects the most.
Lupus is diagnosed can be diagnosed with imaging tests, lab tests, or a biopsy.
Lab
-Blood count tests
-Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
-Kidney and Liver assessment
-Urinalysis
-Antinuclear antibody test
Imaging
-Echo-cardiogram
-Chest X-ray
You will want to see your doctor if you have an unexplained rash, ongoing fever, chronic fatigue or aching, or any of the symptoms below:
Lupus is diagnosed can be diagnosed with imaging tests, lab tests, or a biopsy.
Lab
-Blood count tests
-Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
-Kidney and Liver assessment
-Urinalysis
-Antinuclear antibody test
Imaging
-Echo-cardiogram
-Chest X-ray
You will want to see your doctor if you have an unexplained rash, ongoing fever, chronic fatigue or aching, or any of the symptoms below:
What are the symptoms?
-Fever or excessive tiredness.
-Joint point or swelling.
-Butterfly rash on the cheeks.
-Skin lesions that are aggravated by sunlight.
-Reynaud's Phenomenon.
-Shortness of breath.
-Dry eyes.
-Headaches, psychosis, or memory loss.
-Joint point or swelling.
-Butterfly rash on the cheeks.
-Skin lesions that are aggravated by sunlight.
-Reynaud's Phenomenon.
-Shortness of breath.
-Dry eyes.
-Headaches, psychosis, or memory loss.
What are the risk factors?
Age - Lupus is most diagnosed in people that are 15-40 years old.
Sex - Lupus is most prevalent in women.
Race - This disease is found most in Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans.
Sex - Lupus is most prevalent in women.
Race - This disease is found most in Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans.
What are the complications?
Lupus affects many body systems including the:
Kidneys - Kidneys cause the most deaths with lupus cases. Lupus causes serious kidney damage leading to kidney failure. Kidney symptoms include: generalized itching, blood in the urine, chest pain, vomiting, and edema.
Brain - If the brain is affect by lupus, you may experience: headaches, hallucinations, behavior changes, strokes, seizures, memory loss, and dizziness.
Blood and Blood vessels - Lupus can increase the risk of blood clots, excessive bleeding, vasculitis, and anemia
Heart - Lupus can cause pericarditis which can lead to an increased risk of heart disease and a myocardial infarction
Lungs - Lupus that affects the lungs can inflame the pleurisy, making breathing painful. You can also be more susceptible to pneumonia.
Kidneys - Kidneys cause the most deaths with lupus cases. Lupus causes serious kidney damage leading to kidney failure. Kidney symptoms include: generalized itching, blood in the urine, chest pain, vomiting, and edema.
Brain - If the brain is affect by lupus, you may experience: headaches, hallucinations, behavior changes, strokes, seizures, memory loss, and dizziness.
Blood and Blood vessels - Lupus can increase the risk of blood clots, excessive bleeding, vasculitis, and anemia
Heart - Lupus can cause pericarditis which can lead to an increased risk of heart disease and a myocardial infarction
Lungs - Lupus that affects the lungs can inflame the pleurisy, making breathing painful. You can also be more susceptible to pneumonia.
Having lupus also increases your risk of:
-Infection
-Avascular necrosis
-Cancer
-Pregnancy complications
-Infection
-Avascular necrosis
-Cancer
-Pregnancy complications
What can you do to prevent it?
There are several ways to reduce the risk of having lupus or preventing it all together
-See your doctor regularly
-Do not smoke
-Being sun smart
-Healthy diet and regular exercise
-Adequate rest
-See your doctor regularly
-Do not smoke
-Being sun smart
-Healthy diet and regular exercise
-Adequate rest
Similar diseases
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Type 1 Diabetes
Addison's Disease
Hashimoto's Disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Type 1 Diabetes
Addison's Disease
Hashimoto's Disease
Multiple Sclerosis
References
Mayo Clinic. (2014, November 18). Lupus Definition - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/basics/definition/con-20019676