What is Lupus?
Lupus is a serious disease, and it can cause a major disruption to people’s lives. Some people with this condition are able to live many years with their symptoms in check by receiving treatment, but if the symptoms are no longer controllable with treatment, they might need disability benefits.
Systemic lupus erythematosus, is an autoimmune disease that is estimated to affect nearly 1.5 million Americans every year. It causes inflammation throughout the body, and since there’s no known cure, most people receive treatment to reduce the symptoms, which are usually localized to a specific area of the body. An autoimmune disease like systemic lupus erythematosus destroys the cells in the body by attacking it.
The onset of the disease is most common in people between the ages of 15 and 44. About 20% of people with lupus also have a family member that has the disease, and most professionals believe that there are people with a genetic predisposition. Ethnicity can also factor into the likelihood that a person will develop it, with Hispanic, African American, Pacific Islander, Asian American, and Native American people being at the highest risk.
Environmental stimuli, such as UV rays from the sun, some types of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, infections, and colds and other viruses, cause flare-ups. Exhaustion, stress, surgery, and other stressful conditions can also cause symptoms to worsen.
Finally, some doctors believe that estrogen plays a role in the development of this condition because it most often affects women, and women are more likely to experience a flare-up when they’re pregnant, just before menstruation, and other times when estrogen is highest.
While some people with this condition experience only a mild version of the disease, which lets them continue with their work almost like normal, when it goes untreated, it can flare up. This can make it more difficult for people to function normally at work and at home.
Symptoms of Lupus
This condition has several symptoms, and the ones that present themselves can vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms include achy joints, fever, rash, fatigue, skin lesions, headaches, memory loss, shortness of breath, confusion, chest pain, and dry eyes. Some people might also have hair loss in patches, which is sometimes called alopecia areata.
Several diseases cause these symptoms, so people shouldn’t be too quick to self-diagnose as lupus. But understanding more about what to look for can help someone determine whether or not they have another disorder.
For instance, hair thinning will often come out in clumps, but it might also be an overall thinning of the hair. Some men will also lose hair in their beards or other parts of their bodies. Thinning hair is one of the first symptoms of this condition.
You should also know that the butterfly rash that appears on the face is one of the most defining and easy to recognize features of this condition. While not everyone gets the butterfly-shaped rash on their faces, it’s most likely to appear just before a flare-up.
Also, since kidney inflammation is one of the more serious complications to this condition, people should know the symptoms. One of the most common ways that kidney inflammation can be identified is by looking at a person’s urine, which will be darker in color. Some people might also notice blood in their urine.
People with this condition also often experience photosensitivity, which is a particular sensitivity to the UV rays in sunlight. This photosensitivity will cause many people with the condition to experience rashes, joint pain, internal swelling, and fatigue.
Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation
Right now, there are no known ways to cure this condition, but there are several ways that a person might try to control their symptoms. Typically the treatment goals fall into one of three categories: preventing flare-ups, treating symptoms when the patient has them, and reducing the damage that’s done to the joints and organs.
One of the most common ways that this condition is controlled is through lifestyle changes. For instance, a healthcare provider might recommend that a patient with the condition stay away from UV rays from the sun by wearing longer sleeves and plenty of sunscreen while out in the sun. A healthy diet full of vitamin D, calcium, and fish oil might also lessen symptoms. Finally, getting exercise and quitting smoking can help some people with this condition lessen their symptoms.
A doctor might also prescribe one or more of a range of medications. For instance, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce inflammation and pain, especially in the joints. Antimalarial medications can also help reduce the symptoms of lupus, especially when a woman is pregnant. For instance, rashes, joint pain, and fatigue can all be lessened with antimalarial drugs.
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are often used to reduce inflammation, and immunosuppressive drugs suppress the immune system so that it’s no longer attacking the body. Typically, immunosuppressive drugs are only used when there are big flare-ups that are damaging organs.
