What is Lupus?
What is Lupus?
Blog Article
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own organs, leading to inflammation, swelling, and damage. This condition can impact various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and brain.
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There are various forms of lupus, with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) being the most recognized form. In addition, there are discoid lupus, which mostly impacts the skin, and drug-induced lupus, induced by certain medications.
What Causes Lupus?
The precise cause of lupus is still not fully understood, but experts believe it results from a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. People who have a genetic predisposition to lupus may be more likely of developing the disease.
Environmental triggers like the sun's rays, infections, or particular treatments can set off lupus in people who are genetically susceptible. Hormones also are involved, which is why lupus occurs more frequently in females, especially between the ages of 15 and 44.
Signs of Lupus
Lupus appears with a variety of indications, which are different from patient to patient. The most typical symptoms consist of:
Fatigue: Extreme tiredness is one of the most prevalent symptoms in people with lupus.
Joint pain and swelling: Many patients suffer from pain, stiffness, and swelling in their joints, particularly after waking up.
Skin rashes: A characteristic rash across the cheeks and nose is a classic sign of lupus, but rashes can emerge in other areas of the body.
Fever: Unexplained fevers can happen without any apparent cause.
Hair loss: Hair shedding is frequent in people with lupus, and some may even lose clumps of hair.
In severe cases, lupus can result in issues affecting vital organs, including the kidneys, heart, and lungs.
Diagnosing Lupus
Recognizing lupus can be tricky because its symptoms resemble those of many other conditions. Physicians use a combination of diagnostic tests, scans, and clinical evaluations to diagnose the condition.
Some screenings used include:
Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test: An abnormal ANA level may suggest an autoimmune disorder, although it’s not specific to lupus.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): This screening detects inflammation in the body and is often elevated in people with lupus.
Urinalysis: Looking for irregularities in urine can aid in finding kidney involvement in lupus.
Treatment for Lupus
While there is no cure for lupus, medical options are available to control symptoms and maintain a good lifestyle. Medical plans vary depending on the individual’s symptoms but may include:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation.
Corticosteroids: In more serious cases, corticosteroids are often used to suppress the immune system.
Antimalarial drugs: Medications like hydroxychloroquine are used to preventing disease flares.
Consistent medical evaluations and altering therapy as needed are essential to keeping lupus under control.