Coping with Lupus Recognize Lupus Symptoms and Prevent Outbreaks

What lupus

In lupus, the body's immune system is not working as it should. A healthy immune system produces substances called antibodies that help fight and destroy viruses, bacteria and other foreign substances that invade the body. In SLE, the immune system produces antibodies against the normal cells and tissues of the body. These antibodies are called autoantibodies ( "auto" means self), contribute to inflammation of various parts of the body, causing damage that changes the function of organs and target tissues. In addition, some autoantibodies join bodies molecules substance which cells or tissues to form immune complexes calls. The accumulation of immune complexes in the body also contributes to inflammation and tissue injury in lupus patients.

Common symptoms of Lupus

* Painful joints or swelling and muscle pain

* Unexplained fever

* Red rash, usually on the face.

Pain in the chest on deep breathing (pleurisy)

Unusual hair loss

* Pale or purple fingers or feet (Raynaud's phenomenon) cold or stress

* Sun sensitivity

Swelling (edema) in the legs or around the eyes

* Swollen glands

* Extreme tiredness

In some patients with lupus, only one system of the body, such as skin or joints are affected. Other people have symptoms in many parts of your body. Most often, joints and muscles are affected, causing arthritis and muscle pain. The following systems in the body can also be affected by lupus.

Kidneys: kidney inflammation (nephritis) can impair your ability to get rid of waste and other toxins from the body effectively. Because the kidneys are so important to overall health, lupus affecting the kidneys generally requires intensive drug treatment to prevent permanent damage.

Lungs: Some people with lupus develop pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining of the chest cavity that causes chest pain, particularly with breathing. Lupus patients can also get pneumonia.

Central nervous system: In some patients, lupus affects the brain or central nervous system. This can cause headaches, dizziness, memory problems, vision problems, stroke, or changes in behavior.

Blood vessels: the blood vessels can become inflamed (vasculitis), affecting how the blood circulates through the body.

Blood: The lupus may develop anemia, leukopenia (low white blood cell), or a decreased number of platelets (thrombocytopenia). Some people with lupus may have abnormalities that cause an increased risk of blood clots.

Heart: In some patients with lupus, inflammation can occur in the heart itself (myocarditis and endocarditis) or the membrane that surrounds it (pericarditis), causing chest pain or other symptoms. Lupus can also increase the risk of atherosclerosis.

Although lupus symptoms and potential side effects of treatment, people with lupus can maintain a high overall quality of life. A key to managing lupus is to understand the disease and its impact. Learn to recognize the warning signs of an outbreak can help the patient to take measures to prevent or reduce its intensity. Many people with lupus experience increased fatigue, pain, rash, fever, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, or just before an outbreak.

Signs of a lupus flare Warning

Increased fatigue

* Pain

* Rash

Fever

Abdominal discomfort

Headache

Dizziness

Preventing enlargement

Learn to recognize your warning signs. Maintain good communication with your doctor.

People with lupus should receive regular preventive health care such as gynecological and breast examinations. Regular dental care will help prevent potentially dangerous infections. Staying healthy requires extra effort and care for people with lupus, it becomes particularly important to develop strategies for maintaining wellness. Wellness involves close attention to body, mind and spirit.