LUPUS

WHAT IS LUPUS?
    The immune system is designed to attack foreign substances and infectious agents, such as bacteria and other foreign microbes in the body. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that occurs when the body's immune system mistakes the body's own tissues and organs as foreign invaders and attacks them. People with lupus produce abnormal antibodies in their blood that target tissues within their own body rather than foreign infectious
agents. These antibodies are referred to as auto-antibodies. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems including:
Joints
Skin
Kidneys
Heart
Lungs
Blood vessels
Brain.
   Some people with lupus suffer only minor inconveniences while it might result in significant lifelong disability in others. The disease can affect all ages but most commonly begins from 20-45 years of age and it's usually common among women.

CAUSES OF LUPUS
   No single factor is known to cause lupus. Research suggests that genes
play an important role. But, they are other factors that many  trigger the disease.
Some potential triggers include:
1. Environmental factors: Overexposure to the sun which may bring on lupus skin lesions or trigger an internal response in susceptible people, viral and bacterial infections and severe emotional stress.
2. Medications: Certain drugs, such as blood pressure drugs, anti-seizure medications and antibiotics may cause lupus-like symptoms. People who have drug-induced lupus usually see their symptoms go away when they stop taking the medication.
3. Hormonal factors: High estrogen levels resulting from pregnancy may trigger lupus.
   People born with a tendency toward developing lupus may develop the disease when they come into contact with something in the environment that can trigger lupus. So it is likely cause by a combination of genetics and environment.

SYMPTOMS OF LUPUS
   Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, from mild to severe, and may be temporary or permanent. The times when a person is having symptoms are called flares, The symptoms vary, depending on which body systems are affected by the disease. But some of the most common symptoms of lupus are:
- Butterfly shaped rash on the face
- Fatigue
- Pain or swelling in joints
- Fever
- Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold
- Photosensitivity,
- Chest pain
- Headaches, confusion and memory loss
- Appetite loss
- Dry eyes
- Mouth ulcers
- Hair loss
- Anemia (a decrease in red blood cells)
- Dizzy spells
- Shortness of breath
- Seizures.
   See your doctor if you develop an unexplained rash, persistent aching or fatigue and  fever,

TYPES OF LUPUS
1. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): This is the most serious type of lupus. It affects many parts of the body including skin, vital organs and blood vessels. It causes a scaly, butterfly-shaped rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks that can leave scars if untreated.
2. Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE): This type mainly affects skin that is exposed to sunlight. It doesn’t typically affect vital internal organs. It leaves a skin rash or scar that doesn't go away  after healing of the lesions.
3. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus or lupus dermatitis:  It causes skin sores on parts of the body exposed to sun.
4. Neonatal lupus: This is a rare type of lupus that affects  newborns.
5. Drug-induced lupus: Caused by medications.

RISK FACTORS OF LUPUS
  Factors that may increase the risk of lupus include:
1. Sex: Anyone can get lupus, but it most often affects women.
2. Race:  Lupus is more common in African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and Asians.
3. Age: Although lupus affects people of all ages, it's most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40.

COMPLICATIONS OF LUPUS
- Cancer
- Kidney damage and failure
- Bone tissue death (avascular necrosis).
- Strokes.
- Anemia, blood clotting and inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis).
- Pregnancy complications
- Brain and central nervous system damage
- Cardiovascular disease,  heart attacks  and nflammation of the heart muscle, arteries or heart membrane.
- Pleurisy or inflammation of the chest cavity lining, which can make breathing painful.
- Infection

HOW IS LUPUS DIAGNOSED?
   Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments. It may take months or years for a doctor to diagnose lupus as there is no single test for it's diagnosis. But doctors may use many tools such as medical history, blood tests, skin biopsy, kidney biopsy and a complete examination to make a diagnosis.

TREATMENT
   While there's no cure for lupus, treatments can help control symptoms. The treatments are directed toward decreasing inflammation and the level of autoimmune activity with anti-inflammatory medications for mild lupus and corticosteroids for more severe lupus. The goals of the treatment plan are to: Prevent flares, treat flares when they occur, reduce organ damage and other problems. Other medications are sometimes needed for problems related to lupus such as infection, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

HOW TO LIVE WITH LUPUS?
   People with lupus can prevent "flares" of disease by avoiding sun exposure and not abruptly discontinuing medications.They should be able to know about the disease and its impact. They should also monitor their condition with their doctor. Being able to spot the warning signs of a flare can help you prevent the flare or make the symptoms less severe.