What is Lupus?
What is Lupus?
Blog Article
Lupus is a long-term immune system condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own organs, resulting in inflammation, swelling, and harm. This disease can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and brain.
Lupus
There are various forms of lupus, with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) being the most common form. Other types include discoid lupus, which mostly impacts the skin, and drug-induced lupus, caused by certain medications.
What Causes Lupus?
The true cause of lupus remains unclear, but researchers believe it stems from a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. People who have a family history of lupus may have a higher risk of developing the disease.
Environmental triggers like sun exposure, infections, or specific drugs can activate lupus in individuals who are genetically susceptible. Hormones also are involved, which is why lupus is more common in females, especially between the ages of 15 and 44.
Signs of Lupus
Lupus manifests with a broad spectrum of indications, which can vary from individual to individual. The most typical symptoms consist of:
Fatigue: Extreme tiredness is a very common symptoms in those with lupus.
Joint pain and swelling: Many individuals experience pain, stiffness, and swelling in their joints, particularly after waking up.
Skin rashes: A characteristic rash across the cheeks and nose is a typical sign of lupus, but rashes can emerge in other locations.
Fever: Unexplained fevers may occur without any obvious cause.
Hair loss: Thinning hair is common in people with lupus, and some may even lose clumps of hair.
When the condition is more advanced, lupus can lead to complications in vital organs, impacting the kidneys, heart, and lungs.
Lupus Diagnosis
Identifying lupus can be difficult because its symptoms mimic those of many other conditions. Physicians use a combination of lab work, imaging studies, and clinical evaluations to diagnose the condition.
Some exams used are:
Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test: A positive ANA test often signals an autoimmune disorder, although it’s not exclusive to lupus.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): This test measures inflammation in the body and is often elevated in individuals suffering from lupus.
Urinalysis: Testing for abnormalities in urine can help detect kidney involvement in lupus.
Lupus Treatments
Although lupus cannot be cured, treatments are available to control symptoms and improve quality of life. Medical plans are tailored to the individual’s symptoms but may include:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs help alleviate pain and inflammation.
Corticosteroids: For severe inflammation, corticosteroids might be necessary to reduce inflammation.
Antimalarial drugs: Medications like hydroxychloroquine are used to managing lupus symptoms.
Ongoing check-ups and altering therapy as needed are important to managing lupus.