What is Lupus?
What is Lupus?
Blog Article
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder where the body's natural defense system incorrectly fights against its own tissues, resulting in inflammation, pain, and harm. This disorder can affect various areas of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and brain.
Lupus
There are several categories of lupus, with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) being the most common form. In addition, there are discoid lupus, which mostly impacts the skin, and drug-induced lupus, triggered by certain medications.
Lupus Causes
The true cause of lupus is still not fully understood, but researchers believe it stems from a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. Individuals with a family history of lupus may be more likely of developing the disease.
Environmental triggers including the sun's rays, infections, or certain medications can activate lupus in people who are genetically predisposed. Hormones also are involved, which is why lupus is seen more often in women of childbearing age, especially between the ages of 15 and 44.
Symptoms of Lupus
Lupus manifests with a wide range of symptoms, which can vary from person to person. The most frequent symptoms are:
Fatigue: Severe exhaustion is a very common symptoms in lupus patients.
Joint pain and swelling: Many people experience pain, stiffness, and swelling in their joints, especially in the morning.
Skin rashes: A butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose is a hallmark sign of lupus, but rashes can emerge in other locations.
Fever: Persistent fevers can happen without any clear cause.
Hair loss: Hair shedding is common in people with lupus, and some may even lose clumps of hair.
In more serious instances, lupus can result in problems with vital organs, impacting the kidneys, heart, and lungs.
How Lupus is Diagnosed
Identifying lupus can be difficult because its symptoms resemble those of a variety of disorders. Healthcare professionals use a combination of diagnostic tests, X-rays, and physical exams to confirm a diagnosis.
Some exams used are:
Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test: An elevated ANA result can indicate an autoimmune disorder, although it’s not definitive for lupus.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): This measurement 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.
Managing Lupus
Since lupus is incurable, therapies are available to reduce symptoms and enhance daily living. Treatment plans differ based on the progression of the condition but typically consist of:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): This category of drugs help alleviate pain and inflammation.
Corticosteroids: For severe inflammation, corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation.
Antimalarial drugs: Medications like hydroxychloroquine can help controlling lupus flare-ups.
Regular monitoring and changing treatments as needed are critical to keeping lupus under control.