What You Need To Know About Lupus
Lupus, what is it?
Lupus, not a well-known disease, is still dreaded by those afflicted by it. It just hits you without a warning, usually picking the time in your life when all is well, then stays with you forever. Recently, however, a number of things have been found out about it that it has become less dreaded as before.
What is lupus?
Lupus is a disease that causes your antibodies to go amok and attack the healthy cells. There are two types of lupus. The first one is called discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) where the skin cells are the ones affected. Rashes and scaly patches appear on the face forming a butterfly pattern. The scalp and the skin on the body may get inflamed. The second type of lupus is called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) which affects organs of the body. This is the more common type which will be the focus of this article.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of lupus vary. A person may have only one, two or all of them. Lupus patients manifest joint pains resembling that of arthritis, pain when breathing deeply, extreme and persistent fatigue, hair loss, rashes, mouth sores and numbness of fingers during cold weather. In some serious cases, major body organs may become affected. When lupus afflicts the brain, the patient may experience concentration problems, mood swings, depression and irritability. The kidneys, the lungs and the heart may get affected too. Symptoms of ailments related to them become visible. Finally, some patients may also experience nausea, anemia, thyroid problems and may become very susceptible to disease and infection.
What causes lupus?
Lupus is not a virus. It is congenital in nature, triggered by at least six genes which, up to now, have not yet been identified. Doctors say that genetic make-up plus environment (virus, too much sunlight, drugs such as hydralazine, and procainamide, abnormality in sex hormones, stress and injury) may trigger it. It is like lightning that hits you. There are no warnings and when it afflicts you, it is there to stay.
Treatment and medication
When any of the symptoms is observed, it is best to go for examination. Blood tests are done for diagnosis. There is no known cure for lupus. But, unlike cancer, it does not kill. It becomes active once triggered but sleeps when in remission. Treatment of lupus is specialized depending on the symptoms manifested. But protective sunscreen, a good diet, adequate rest and exercise will help.
Good news
Contrary to old findings that women with lupus are advised to have no pregnancies, experiences abroad proved that under close supervision of medical professionals, abortion may not have to be prescribed. The patient may now have a normal pregnancy and childbirth.
Final words
Lupus affects not only the biological but also the social aspect of the patient’s life. The disease sets up a stage that can either help families renew their love and build up strength to struggle with the afflicted or cause family members to become miserable over the disruption of normalcy in the home. It is really a choice on what to make out of it.
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