What is Lupus? Facts!

What is lupus disease?

 

It is a question that has puzzled doctors and researchers for decades, and there is no real good answer to that question.

Although progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of lupus erythematosus, the exact mechanism that causes the disease and the relationship between hereditary, environmental, hormonal and are still unknown.

Here's what we know ...

What is lupus?

A closer examination of the facts

Lupus disease affects over 1.5 million Americans and more than 5 million people worldwide. 9 of 10 lupus patients are women and those of childbearing age (15-45 years) are more sensitive, but the condition can affect people of all ages, men and women.

Lupus is classified as a chronic autoimmune disease. When someone has the disease, your immune system goes awry in a series of eruptions (when lupus symptoms are present) and remissions (when a person looks healthy and do not have symptoms).

Lupus symptoms can last for years and can be difficult to diagnose as they mimic the symptoms of many other diseases.

In a healthy person, the immune system fights and protects the body against foreign invaders. This includes elements such as bacteria and viruses that white blood cells recognize and eliminate protein secreting antibodies which destroy foreign bodies. The immune system is the way to protect the body.

However, when a person has lupus disease, the immune system mistakes healthy tissues for foreign invaders and attacks them with autoantibodies. In short, the body turns on itself and attacks its own tissues and cells.

The end result is tissue damage, inflammation, pain, and even death in severe cases. The skin, joints and internal organs (kidneys, lungs, heart and brain) are most often affected, but lupus can affect any part of the human body.

The most common symptoms of lupus in women and men include fatigue, swollen joints, fever, skin rash and discoid butterfly, and renal nephritis, but patients may also experience a number other symptoms.

When people mention "lupus," they are usually referring to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the disease can take many different forms, including discoid lupus or skin, induced lupus erythematosus and neonatal.

Lupus treatment carries with it a large number of side effects, since it often involves the use of drugs such as anti-inflammatories and steroids to reduce the swelling.