What is Lupus

by Kevin Pederson


Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s own immune system to attack the cells of the body. Nobody knows why this happens, but like other autoimmune disorders, there is no known cure for the problem. There are a number of management techniques, however, and in this article, we will take an in depth look at what lupus is and how to manage it.

Definition of Lupus

The CDC website defines lupus thus: “Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system produces antibodies to cells within the body, leading to widespread inflammation and tissue damage.”

Whenever anyone says lupus, they generally mean SLE, although there are other forms of the disorder too.

  • Discoid lupus erythematosus is a chronic condition where a raised rash forms on any part of the body and lasts anywhere between a few weeks to years. These rashes form a thick scaly layer and leave a permanent scar when they go. A small percentage of those who have discoid lupus develop SLE at a later date.
  • Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a condition where lesions appear on parts of the body that is exposed to the sun, most commonly the face. There is, however, no permanent scarring in this condition, unlike discoid lupus.
  • There are also other forms of lupus like neonatal lupus and drug-induced lupus, but they are much rarer and very few documented cases are known.

Facts about Lupus Disease

  • Women are 15 times more likely to get this disease.
  • Hispanic, Asian and African American women are three times more likely to get lupus than their Caucasians counterparts. They are also more likely to develop more severe and serious symptoms such as organ-related problems.
  • Lupus generally affects women in the child-bearing age. This includes all women from ages 10 to 50.
  • There is no known cure for lupus.
  • Lupus can be life threatening if not managed properly. If diagnosed early and appropriate management is started, the prognosis is quite good and there is a more than 95% chance of survival.

Although most experts believe that lupus has a genetic link, only 10% of all people with lupus have close relatives who have the disorder. It is now believed that external and environmental factors such as UV radiation, medicines, infections, and antibiotic use can be risk factors.

Is Lupus a Virus?

No. Lupus is caused by the body’s own antibodies attacking the body’s cells. This results in inflammation and damage to the cells, and depending on the area that is affected, the symptoms can differ. For example, when the joints are affected, it causes arthritis, and when the bones are affected, it results in osteoporosis.

People who have lupus need to be very careful and regularly check their antibody count to ensure that they do not get other complications such as kidney disease and heart problems.

How to Manage the Lupus Illness?

The most common method is the use of NSAIDs. Doctors prescribe these drugs to control the inflammation that is caused by the antibodies attacking the cells. Generally, this is more than sufficient, although there may be periods when the symptoms worsen and ordinary medication may not be enough.

Corticosteroid creams are used to treat the external rashes. These creams, however, need to be used carefully and only on the prescription by a doctor.

Since lupus can affect women starting from puberty itself, symptoms of early lupus need to be watched for. One of the most common and best known symptoms is the butterfly rash that affects both cheeks and the nose. Since this rash is very similar to symptoms of other diseases/disorders, it is very often overlooked. Early diagnosis and intervention, however, can ensure that minimal change to lifestyle is required, and many women with lupus are able to deliver normal and healthy babies while still managing their lupus.

References

  1. http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/Lupus/default.asp
  2. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/lupus.html
  3. http://www.couldihavelupus.gov/lupus-fast-facts.cfm?
  4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001471/
  5. http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/lupus.htm

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.


Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
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