Health
lupus
what you need to know
Lupus is a complicated disease. Whether it
has been suggested you may have lupus, or
you have a definitive diagnosis, you should
know these basic facts about lupus.
what is lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder which affects
organ systems, skin, joints, and internal organs.
Lupus basically is a Latin word that literally
means “wolf ”. Lupus is a disease that often
induces a facial rash that causes its victims to
have the appearance of a wolf. Individuals with
lupus will generate antibodies to their own body
tissues. The consequential soreness can cause
damage in many organs of the body including
kidney, joints, blood vessels, heart and lungs.
who can suffer?
Both men and women can get affected by Lupus,
but it is eight times as likely in women. It can also
occur at any age, but the typical age range for
someone to get Lupus is ten to fifty. It is normally
more common in African American people as well
as Asian people. This is a disease that is usually
hereditary, but in some cases there is no family
history of Lupus.
causes
Lupus is a disease that turns the defenses of the
body against the body itself. Lupus occurs when
antibodies attack the healthy cells in the body.
Certain drugs can cause Lupus as well. A number
of cases have some family background to them,
but in a few cases there is no obvious cause for the
disease. The disease has been greatly researched
and has been associated to other disorders, but
only in theory.
symptoms
Symptoms can differ in a wide range of areas in
the body. In the musculoskeletal area, the joints
are affected and it causes mild to severe joint pain.
Lupus is known to cause arthritis in the hands.
The skin is affected by rashes, skin cuts, and
painful nodules that appear to be raised bruises.
Kidneys produce protein deposits and can have
renal failure, leading to dialysis. The Nervous
System can cause mental dysfunction, seizures,
psychosis, and severe headaches. Blood clots
can occur as well as pulmonary embolism. The
heart could produce chest pain. The symptoms
in the heart could also be associated with the
effects Lupus has in the blood, with the clotting
that can occur. Shortness of breath and even
pleurisy can occur within the lungs due to Lupus.
treatment
Forms of treatment for Lupus have to concentrate
on its side effects. There is no cure for the
disease itself, so easing the symptoms is all a
person can do. Anti-inflammatory medication
is given for arthritis pain as well as the pleurisy.
Skin rashes can be helped with corticosteroids,
which typically comes in a cream form or lotion
to not only clear up the rash, but to also sooth
it. Relentless symptoms need to be checked by a
specialist. Changing lifestyles to healthy habits,
such as eating balanced meals and getting
minimal exercise will help. Having a stress free
environment also helps enormously.
Article by Gilchrist Adam
12 WomanToWomanMagazine.com
/WomanToWomanMagazine.com
