Lupus is a disease that assumes several forms and could disrupt any component of the body, but more commonly, it affects the skin, joints, the heart, respiratory organs, blood, kidneys and central nervous system.
Autoimmune diseases are defined by an abnormality of the immune system--one where the immune system can't differentiate between a person's own blood and tissues, and that of foreign substances like viruses. Instead of simply creating antibodies to target antigens (bacteria, viruses and similar foreign material), the human body produces auto-antibodies that strike the immune system itself.
Whenever this happens, patients can suffer inflammation (the primary characteristic of lupus), pain, and tissue injury. Inflammation in and of itself could cause discomfort or pain, heat, redness, puffiness and loss of activity, either internally (organs) or externally (the skin), or both.
For a few patients who have minor symptoms, lupus can be handled as a chronic condition; however, the disease could be quite severe and even critical for others. There's no cure for lupus, although signs and symptoms can be managed with medications like adrenal cortical steroid and immunosuppressants.
Furthermore, the disease doesn't conform to pathways common to other chronic diseases. Lupus victims often suffer unpredictable bouts of the illness, referred to as "flares," followed by cycles of remission.
The medical prognosis for those with lupus frequently depends on the level of organ involvement. Survival for lupus victims with brain problems, massive organ involvement and/or kidney disorder will be much less than those with exclusively skin and/or joint condition associated with lupus.
The most noticeable cause of death related to lupus is infection as a result of immunosupression, brought about by drugs used in dealing with the illness.
What Causes Lupus?
The direct cause of lupus isn't known. Experts suggest that certain patients are born with specific genes that regulate how the immune system functions and that they are much more likely to suffer from lupus.
A group of other causes could spark lupus attacks. This group includes viral transmissions, including viruses that result in mononucleosis, and hypersensitivity to sunlight.
Although these factors could trigger lupus, they may only effect certain individuals.
Signs and Symptoms of Lupus
Lupus signs and symptoms vary widely, and they tend to come and go. The times when the problems revisit the patient are known as relapses, or flares. The times at which symptoms are not so intense are called remissions.
Noticeable symptoms include feeling extremely tired and having joint discomfort or pain or swelling (rheumatoid arthritis), a high fever, and a skin rash. The rash frequently takes place once you have been in the sun. Oral sores and hair loss issues can also develop.
Eventually, patients with lupus have issues with the heart, respiratory organs, liver, bloodstream, or nervous system.
More from this Author:
Getting by Foot Pain and Morton's Neuroma
Keeping Infant Infections at Bay
References:
Cooper GS, et al. (2002). "Hormonal and reproductive risk factors for development of systemic lupus erythematosus." Arthritis and Rheumatism. 46 (7): 1830–1839.
Petri, Michelle. "Lupus." The Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center. November 2002.
 |
