What Is Lupus? The Facts
Symptoms LupusWhat is lupus disease? It's a question that has baffled doctors and medical researchers for decades, and there's still not a real good answer to that question. Although advancements have been made in lupus diagnosis and lupus treatment, the exact mechanism that causes the disease and the relationships between hereditary, environmental, and hormonal factors are still unknown.
Here's what we do know...
What Is Lupus? A Closer Look At The Facts
Lupus disease afflicts more than 1.5 million Americans and over 5 million people worldwide. 9 out of every 10 lupus patients are women and those in their childbearing years (ages 15-45) are the most susceptible although the condition can affect people of all ages, both men and women.
Lupus is classified as a chronic autoimmune disease. When someone has the disease, their immune system goes haywire in a series of flares (when lupus symptoms are present) and remissions (when a person appears healthy and does not experience any symptoms). Lupus symptoms can last for years and can be difficult to diagnose as they mimic the symptoms of several other diseases.
In a normal, healthy person, the immune system fights off and protects the body from foreign invaders. This includes things like bacteria and viruses which the white blood cells recognize and eliminate by secreting protein antibodies that destroy the foreign bodies. The immune system is the body's way of protecting itself.
However, when a person has lupus disease, the immune system mistakes healthy tissues for foreign invaders and attacks them with autoantibodies. In short, the body turns on itself and attacks its own cells and tissues. The end result is tissue damage, inflammation, pain, and even death in severe cases.
The skin, joints, and internal organs (the kidneys, lungs, heart, and brain) are most commonly affected, but lupus can impact all areas of the human body. The most common lupus symptoms in women and men include fatigue, swollen joints, fever, discoid and butterfly rashes, and kidney nephritis, but patients may also experience a host of other symptoms.
When people mention the term "lupus", they are usually referring to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the disease can take on many different forms including discoid or skin lupus, drug induced lupus, and neonatal lupus. Lupus treatment carries with it a host of side effects since it often involves the use of drugs such as anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids aimed at reducing swelling.
Next, here's how to greatly reduce lupus rashes and flare ups and treat lupus via alternative methods: Lupus Symptoms In Women
If you really want to cure lupus and end your chronic fatigue, embarrassing rashes, and persistent joint pain so you can get your life back, then discover how lupus disease sufferers are finding relief by visiting: What Is Lupus