Understanding Lupus
What is lupus?
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes damage to bodily tissues resulting in inflammation of the skin, organs, and/or joints--and is a disease that primarily affects women. Lupus symptoms typically come and go in periods of flares and remissions.
What causes lupus?
Lupus occurs when the body’s immune system becomes overactive and attacks the body’s healthy tissues, causing pain, swelling, and inflammation. The exact trigger of the immune response is unknown. Researchers and scientists believe that a combination of environmental, genetic, hormonal factors play a role in the development of lupus.
Lupus is more prevalent among certain ethic groups.
Lupus is more prevalent among certain ethnic groups. Those of African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and Native Hawaiian descent are more likely to develop lupus than Caucasians.
And 9 out of 10 lupus patients are female.
Approximately 90% of those who suffer from lupus are women. Female lupus patients also experience worsened symptoms during pregnancy and menstruation, which are conditions characterized by large fluctuations in hormones, leading researchers to suspect a potential link to female sex hormones.
Age is more than a number with lupus.
Lupus most commonly affects women of a childbearing age, with 15-44 being the average age range for lupus diagnosis. Lupus can, however, develop at any age.
Sun sensitivity is very common with lupus.
The sun can cause the skin of those with lupus to become very irritated, and can also flare the disease internally for some people. People with lupus should avoid excess sun, and stay away from tanning beds. Be smart and use every precaution at your disposal when you need to be in the sun--this means using sunscreen religiously and wearing a wide brimmed hat, long sleeves, and pants. And this applies to cloudy days too, as about 70% of ultra violet rays still come through those clouds!
Family matters with lupus.
Family history can be predictive of your lupus future. The risk of developing lupus is more than 10% higher for those who have family members affected by the disease.
Lupus diagnosis can be complicated.
Coming to a lupus diagnosis can be a complicated and difficult process. Lupus often has widespread symptoms and may present itself differently in different patients, so each lupus diagnosis requires the expert of opinion of a doctor who is able to piece together a multitude of test results. There is no single, definitive test result for lupus--but 97% percent of lupus patients have a positive ANA--antinuclear antibody test--result, though other diseases may also result in a positive ANA test result. White and red blood cell counts can also be low, along with platelets.
Lupus is sometimes called "the great imitator"
Those with lupus often feel extremely fatigued, and have headaches and fever. Their joints can become swollen and achy. These symptoms can sometimes throw doctors off because they can mimic other diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and certain thyroid conditions--making lupus difficult to diagnose. And to add further challenge--symptoms can come and go, and change over time. Lupus' amorphous symptoms have given rise to it's moniker: "the great imitator."
The first symptom is often a rash
Lupus that affects the skin (cutaneous lupus) comes in different forms, and causes different types of rashes.Discoid lupus produces a coin-shaped red, scaly rash on the cheeks, nose, and ears. The rash doesn’t itch or hurt, but once it fades, it may leave the skin discolored. Subacute cutaneous lupus (SCLE), the rash looks like scaly red patches or ring shapes. This rash usually appears on parts of the body that are exposed to sun, such as the arms, shoulders, neck, chest, and trunk.
Systemic lupus flare ups can cause a distinctive "butterfly rash"
Systemic lupus can cause a sunburn-like "butterfly" rash on your face; a sign of a flare-up. The rash is unique for its butterfly-like shape--spreading across the nose and fanning out over the cheeks. This extremely sun-sensitive rash can also appear on other parts of the body, especially those exposed to sun, like the arms, shoulders, and legs.
Painful and swollen joints are hallmark symptoms of lupus.
According the Lupus Foundation of America, more than 90% of those with lupus experience painful, swollen joints and weakness. Inflammation, which is triggered by lupus, is the culprit. Lupus can also weaken muscles, especially in the shoulders, upper arms, pelvis and upper legs. Carpal tunnel syndrome, characterized by tingling numbness and pain in the hands and fingers, can also be triggered by lupus.
So is fever, fatigue, and blood count.
The most common Lupus symptoms include fatigue, headaches, fever, or pain in chest when breathing deeply--which are shared with a number of other conditions.
Hair loss and nail changes can be a sign of lupus.
Some forms of lupus can cause a type of skin inflammation that affects the hair follicles, causing hair loss--which can be temporary or permanent. The good news? Permanent hair loss is less common than temporary hair thinning, which recovers after a disease flare.
Blue fingers? White toes?
Raynauds phenomenon is a condition closely associated with lupus, where fingers or toes turn white or blue due to exposure to cold or during particulalry stressful situation, affects . This is may be caused by a constricting of the small blood vessels in those areas. Physicians and researchers don't fully understand the cause of Raynauds, but blood vessels in the hands and feet appear to overreact to cold temperatures or stress.
There are different types of lupus.
There are different types of lupus, each of which causes different symptoms, and has varying degrees of severity. The most common type--Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)--affects many different organs of the body, like the brain, lungs, kidneys, and arteries. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) affects the skin--often resulting in rashes. And neonatal lupus--a rare autoimmune condition passed from pregnant woman to her baby.
Medical treatments
There is no cure yet for lupus--yet--but there are many effective treatments. Among them are topical steroid creams for rashes, NSAIDs like ibuprofen for fever and joint pain, and antimalarial treatments for ulcers, rashes and joint pain. Oral and injectable steroid medication reduces inflammation of tissue. And severe lupus is often treated with medications suppress overactive immune systems.
What is the outlook for those with lupus?
The prognosis for lupus varies from case to case. Recent developments in medicine and treatment technologies, along with early aggressive treatment have made lupus an increasingly manageable disease--allowing for more normal lives and lifespans. A 2006 study of 207 lupus patients found that survival rates for lupus are approximately as follows: 5 years – 96% 10 years – 93% 15 years – 76%
Living well with lupus means living healthy
You can help take control of your health and live healthy even when dealing with lupus. Exercise regularly to help retain muscle strength, promote relaxation, and prevent fatigue. Get plenty of sleep. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Talk to a registered dietitian about what plan works best for you.
Get connected!
A support group, whether online or in person, can be a very valuable source of advice and comfort--and can open up the doors to a community of people who know exactly what you're dealing with. The Lupus Foundation of America can help find one in your area.
