Lupus symptoms

Lupus is a type of chronic inflammatory disease which occurs when the body’s immune system turns against its own tissues and organs. Because of the specific style of spreading pattern, sometimes it is called an autoimmune, rheumatic disease. Inflammation by lupus might affect different systems of human bodies like skins, joints, blood cells, kidneys, lungs and heart. It is mostly seen amongst women and a recent survey has shown that about ninety percent of the patients of this disease are actually women. It affects women ten times more than men but, people of all ages can be vulnerable to this disease. There are five types of lupus:

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,
  • Discoid lupus,
  • Sub-acute cutaneous lupus Erythematosus,
  • Drug-induced lupus
  • Neonatal lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus mainly affects the joints; discoid lupus affects skins whereas Sub-acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a result of non-scarring skin lesion. Drug-induced lupus develops after reaction of drugs and Neonatal lupus is usually seen among the new born babies and kids.

This inflammatory disease does not show similar symptoms to everyone. Since this disease attacks the own tissues and organs, the symptoms differ from person to person. Some common symptoms of lupus are painful and swollen joints, severe fatigue and unexplained fever. A type of red skin rash is usually seen in the patients, which usually appears around head and neck, shoulders, hands and chest. These rashes are extremely sensitive to sunlight and this photosensitivity makes the condition of some patients even worse. As lupus can affect almost every part of the body, it can develop a combination of symptoms and organs being involved. Complications of organ involvement can lead to further symptoms that depend on the severity of the particular cases.

Most patients suffer from arthritis as a course of their illness. About ninety percent of the patients suffer from arthritis during their sickness. Extreme fatigue, headaches, swollen joints and fever are some of the most common symptoms of this disease. Anemia is also seen among most of the patients. Since anemia leads to other diseases like low blood pressure, lower number of blood cells and overall lower volume of blood, complexity arises in treatment procedures.

Since Lupus is a multi-factorial disease which is affected by hormonal, genetically and environmental factors, the diagnosis of this disease is pretty complicated. The highest prevalence of this disease is reported in Italy, Spain, Martinique, and the UK Afro-Caribbean population. Women are at a higher risk of at attracting this disease; and a group of researchers recently published a theory suggesting that black women are more likely to get this disease. According to several publications and scientific journals, about seven women are affected by this disease compared to one man at a staggering 1:7 ratio. One more reason for women to be careful about contacting this disease and to seek immediate professional help when suspicious about the symptoms discussed.

The treatment procedures are targeted to alleviate the symptoms of the patients, since there are no common cures discovered for autoimmune diseases yet. Individual symptoms will determine what type of treatment a person should undertake. Severe and life threatening diseases/symptoms like anemia, heart disease, kidney disease often require treatment by specialists, with immediate hospitalization in the more serious cases. The patients should know when to seek professional help, especially since some of the symptoms can be fatal if not treated immediately. It is extremely important for patients to have a sound knowledge about the factors that may aide to the disease, and it is imperative to take precautionary measures. For example, wearing protective clothes and sunglasses can help the patients to get away from the rashes.

Last updated on Mar 16th, 2010 and filed under Immune System. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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