Causes of Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can be fatal, though with recent medical advances, fatalities are becoming increasingly rare. As with other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body’s cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage. SLE can affect any part of the body, but most often harms the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system.
Lupus (pronounced: loo-pus) is a disease that involves the immune system and affects about 1.5 million Americans; nearly 90% of those diagnosed with the disease are female. Normally, a person’s immune system works by producing immunity cells and antibodies, special substances that fight germs and infectionIf you have lupus, your immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues by mistake. This can damage your joints, skin, blood vessels and organs. There are many kinds of lupus. The most common type, systemic lupus erythematosus, affects many parts of the body
What causes lupus
Environment (Sunlight, stress, certain medications, and viruses might trigger symptoms in people who are prone to getting lupus.)
Hormones (Lupus is more common in women during childbearing years.)
Sunlight. Exposure to the sun may bring on lupus skin lesions or trigger an internal response in susceptible people. Exactly why ultraviolet radiation has this effect isn’t well understood, but scientists suspect that sunlight may cause skin cells to express certain proteins on their surface.Although the causes of lupus are not completely understood, the disease is believed to result from an interplay of genetic, environmental (such as ultraviolet light, stress, infections, certain drugs and chemicals) and hormonal factors.Studies have shown that women are more likely to experience autoimmune disorders, such as SLE than men, which may help to explain the higher prevalence of lupus in women.
Symptoms of Lupus
SLE symptoms may develop slowly over months or years, or they may appear suddenly. Symptoms tend to be worse during winter months, perhaps because prolonged exposure to sunlight in the summer causes a gradual build-up of factors that trigger symptoms months later.
Each person with lupus has slightly different symptoms that can range from mild to severe and may come and go over time. However, some of the most common symptoms of lupus include painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained fever, and extreme fatigue. A characteristic red skin rash (the so-called butterfly or malar rash) may appear across the nose and cheeks. Affecting what the Lupus Foundation of America estimates is 500,000 to 1.5 million Americans, lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys
Treatment of Lupus
The use of ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and medications like ibuprofen in treating lupus requires some caution. Ibuprofen and similar drugs can harm kidney function, especially in people who already have kidney problems. In addition, ibuprofen and related agents can rarely cause inflammation of the lining of the brain resulting in a severe headache.
Antimalarial drugs. Although there’s no known relationship between lupus and malaria, these medications have proved useful in treating signs and symptoms of lupus. Antimalarials may also prevent flares of the disease. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is the most commonly prescribed antimalarial. Side effects of antimalarial drugs include vision problems and muscle weakness.Lifestyle adjustments, such as getting plenty of rest, reducing stress, eating a balanced diet and quitting smoking
Avoiding excessive sun exposure or regularly applying sunscreens in order to reduce rashes and flares in lupus
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Lupus is a complicated disease. Whether it has been suggested you may have lupus, or you have a definitive diagnosis, you should know these basic facts about lupus.
What Is Lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder which affects organ systems, skin, joints, and internal organs. Lupus basically is a Latin word that literally means “wolf”. Lupus is a disease that often induces a facial rash that causes its victims to have the appearance of a wolf. Individuals with lupus will generate antibodies to their own body tissues. The consequential soreness can cause damage in many organs of the body including kidney, joints, blood vessels, heart and lungs.
Who Can Suffer From Lupus?
Both men and women can get affected by Lupus, but it is eight times as likely in women. It can also occur at any age, but the typical age range for someone to get Lupus is ten to fifty. It is normally more common in African American people as well as Asian people. This is a disease that is usually hereditary, but in some cases there is no family history of Lupus.
Causes
Lupus is a disease that turns the defenses of the body against the body itself. Lupus occurs when antibodies attack the healthy cells in the body. Certain drugs can cause Lupus as well. A number of cases have some family background to them, but in a few cases there is no obvious cause for the disease. The disease has been greatly researched and has been associated to other disorders, but only in theory.
Symptoms
Symptoms can differ in a wide range of areas in the body. In the musculoskeletal area, the joints are affected and it causes mild to severe joint pain. Lupus is known to cause arthritis in the hands. The skin is affected by rashes, skin cuts, and painful nodules that appear to be raised bruises. Kidneys produce protein deposits and can have renal failure, leading to dialysis. The Nervous System can cause mental dysfunction, seizures, psychosis, and severe headaches. Blood clots can occur as well as pulmonary embolism. The heart could produce chest pain. The symptoms in the heart could also be associated with the effects Lupus has in the blood, with the clotting that can occur. Shortness of breath and even pleurisy can occur within the lungs due to Lupus.
Treatment
Forms of treatment for Lupus have to concentrate on its side effects. There is no cure for the disease itself, so easing the symptoms is all a person can do. Anti-inflammatory medication is given for arthritis pain as well as the pleurisy. Skin rashes can be helped with corticosteroids, which typically comes in a cream form or lotion to not only clear up the rash, but to also sooth it. Relentless symptoms need to be checked by a specialist. Changing lifestyles to healthy habits, such as eating balanced meals and getting minimal exercise will help. Having a stress free environment also helps enormously.
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The systemic lupus erythematosus can occur in either sex, at any age, but it is known that lupus affects more women than men. It is 10 to 15 times more frequently among adult females than among adult men, and that is why sometimes, systemic lupus erythematosus is called a woman’s disease.
Studies revealed that before puberty, there is about one male affected for every three females, and in the adult years, this ratio changes: 10 females are affected for every male.
Also, after menopause, the studies show that there are 8 females for every male affected.
There are some medications that can produce the drug-induced lupus. This lupus appears more often in men, because these drugs are more frequently used in men. We can mention here procainamide, which is used to treat different types of heart abnormalities, and hydralazine which is used to control high blood pressure.
Seems that the symptoms of the systemic lupus erythematosus are the same in men and women too, at least at the beginning of the disease. There are studies that reached the conclusion that there is more severe renal, neurologic, and vascular disease in men with systemic lupus erythematosus than in woman. But, more research needs to be done in that direction, so, at this time, there isn’t enough evidence to sustain there are more severe symptoms in men than in women.
For years, there were made studies that involved the estrogens- female hormones- and the androgens( male hormones). There was seen there is a difference in the way that androgens are metabolized by male and female lupus patients. There also is the suspicion that women with lupus metabolize androgens at a faster rate than women without lupus.
It is known that lower testosterone levels may predispose men to autoimmune-like diseases. There are drugs that lower testosterone levels, and are associated with rheumatic symptoms, but have not been specifically associated with the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Because the systemic lupus erythematosus is sometimes called a woman’s disease, there can appear the misconception that men who have lupus are less masculine. That fact is not true, it was proved that men with lupus are fertile, sexually active and potent, and some of them are very hairy too. Men with lupus are not different hormonally than the others that don’t have this disease.
Sometimes, having lupus can be a situation pretty difficult to cope with. Men affected by this disease may no longer be able to perform or progress in their work environment, or they may not be able to work anymore and support a family. The cultural and societal expectations of men put him in a difficult situation. This fact, the inability of work and earn a living can cause serious emotional and mental stress for him.
In what concerns women, it doesn’t always happen in the same way. Women which have lupus are more affected by the symptoms that appear, like rashes, hair loss, and weight gain.
It is known there are lupus support groups, and it is a logical thing there are more women in these groups, because lupus affects mostly women. It is important that men affected by lupus try and integrate in that groups, because in this way, they will get help for moving forward.
For more resources about lupus please review this http://www.lupus-guide.com/lupus-rash.htm or even http://www.lupus-guide.com/symptoms-of-lupus.htm
For more resources about lupus please review this http://www.lupus-guide.com/lupus-rash.htm or even http://www.lupus-guide.com/symptoms-of-lupus.htm
Due to the complexity of lupus, the treatment for the disease can take various forms, consisting of an extensive range of medications and therapies aimed at easing the lupus symptoms and preventing the occurrence of further complications. Due to the fact that the immune system has a major contribution to the occurrence and the progression of lupus, (harming the body’s own healthy cells and tissues instead of fighting against antigens) the disease can affect any part of the body, determining impairments of multiple body systems.
The treatment of lupus greatly differs from a patient to another, lupus sufferers receiving a certain type of medications according to their experienced symptoms and the seriousness of the disease. Thus, the treatment of lupus is often personalized, comprising many different types of medications and therapies. Lupus patients (especially patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus) are commonly administered combination treatments, targeted at countering the occurrence and aggravation of the multitude of symptoms characteristic to this type of autoimmune disease.
Although at present there is no specific cure for lupus, the existing treatments can greatly ameliorate the symptoms of the disease and minimize the risk of complications. Lupus often has an unpredictable pattern of progression, producing symptoms that come and go over time. Thus, most lupus treatments are aimed at prolonging the periods of remission and ameliorating the phases of relapse. Once a patient is diagnosed with lupus, he/she will receive a treatment according to age, gender, overall health condition, symptomatic intensity, as well as lifestyle. With the right medication plan, patients can keep the disease under control and even live normal and healthy lives. Today’s treatments are efficient in easing the symptoms of lupus and they also allow patients to carry on with their usual daily activities. Most patients with lupus don’t require prolonged hospitalization and bed confinement is rarely needed.
The treatment of lupus is individualized, aiming to meet the needs and symptoms of the patient. For instance, for patients who suffer from musculoskeletal conditions due to lupus, doctors commonly prescribe treatments with medications that reduce inflammation and pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are extensively administered to patients confronted with symptoms such as joint swelling, stiffness and pain, muscular weakness and fever.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can either be administered alone or in combination with similar medications. Due to the fact that such medications can produce serious side-effects, it is recommendable to avoid long-term use. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be administered only during the periods of relapse, when the symptoms of lupus suddenly increase in intensity. Popular NSAIDs are: ibuprofen, naproxen, sulindac, diclofenac, ketoprofen, diflunisal, nabumetone, indometacin and oxaprozin. In order to minimize their side-effects, you should respect your doctor’s exact instructions when using such medications.
Another type of commonly used medications are antimalarials. Originally prescribed in the treatment of malaria, these medications are also efficient in the treatment of lupus, as they tend to suppress a series of processes at the level of the immune system, neutralizing some of its undesirable effects on the organism. Antimalarials used in the treatment of lupus include: hydrochloroquine (Plaquenil), quinacrine (Atabrine) and chloroquine (Aralen). These commonly used lupus medications are prescribed to ease fatigue, joint inflammation and pain, skin rashes and inflammation of the lungs and heart. Unlike NSAIDs, antimalarials have less serious side-effects, rendering them appropriate for long-term treatments. Ongoing treatment with antimalarials can efficiently prevent the occurrence of flares.
Corticoid steroids are often prescribed in the treatment of lupus. Corticosteroided hormones such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone and dexamethasone are usually prescribed in small doses to reduce inflammation. Due to the fact that these medications can produce serious side-effects, they are only prescribed in short-term treatments. For patients confronted with severe forms of lupus, doctors usually prescribe immunosuppressive drugs such as azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. The main action of immunosuppressive medications is to minimize the damage caused by the impaired, overactive immune system at cellular level. Although immunosuppressive drugs are very efficient in easing the symptoms of lupus, they are known to cause dependency and thus they shouldn’t be prescribed in long-term treatments.
So if you want to find more about Lupus or more details about discoid lupus please follow this link http://www.lupus-guide.com
So if you want to find more about Lupus or more details about discoid lupus please follow this link http://www.lupus-guide.com
Discoïde (cutaneous) lupus is still limited to the skin. It is identified by a rash that may appear on the face, neck and scalp. Discoid Lupus is diagnosed by examining a biopsy of the rash. In discoid lupus erythematosus biopsy show abnormalities that are not found in the skin without the rash. Lupus discoid does not generally involve the body \ ‘internal organs. Consequently, the ANA test, a blood test used to detect systemic lupus can be negative in patients with discoid lupus. However, in many patients with discoid lupus, the ANA is positive, but at a low level or \ “titer. \ “
In about 10 percent of patients, discoid lupus can change in the systemic form of the disease, which can affect almost any organ or system of the body. This can not be predicted or prevented. Treatment discoid lupus will not prevent its progression to the systemic form. Those advances in the form of systemic lupus systemic had probably at the root, with the discoid rash as their main symptom.
Systemic lupus is usually more severe than discoid lupus and can affect almost any organ or system of the body. For some people, that the skin and joints will be involved. In others, joints, lungs, kidneys, blood, or other organs and / or tissues can be affected. In general, there are no two people with systemic lupus symptoms are identical. Systemic lupus do some periods during which, if any, symptoms are obvious (\ “surrender”) and other times when the disease becomes more active (\ “rounded”). Most often, when people mention \ “lupus, \”, they refer to the systemic form of the disease.
lupus drug-induced occurs after the use of certain prescription drugs. The symptoms of drug-induced lupus are similar to those of systemic lupus. The drugs most commonly associated with drug-induced lupus hydralazine (used to treat high blood pressure or hypertension) and procainamide (used to treat irregular heartbeat). Drug-induced lupus is more common among men who are given these drugs more often. However, not everyone who takes these drugs will develop lupus drug-induced. Only about 4 percent of people taking these drugs will develop antibodies suggestive of the disease. Of the 4 percent, only an extremely small number of openly develop lupus drug-induced. The symptoms usually fade when the drugs are discontinued.
If you are looking for great lupus information you can visit free lupus.
If you are looking for great lupus information you can visit free lupus.
Studies revealed that is possible for systemic lupus erythematosus to affect the nervous system. Patients with lupus may experience confusion, difficulty with concentrating, headaches, fatigue, strokes or other signs that show nervous system involvement.
Studies suggested that the nerve tissue may be damaged when antibodies attack nerve cells or blood vessels. It is known that the nervous system requires an uninterrupted flow of blood, that is needed to supply with oxygen and nutrients its tissues. When this flow of blood is slowed or interrupted, the nervous cells are unable to function normally, and there appear symptoms. The symptoms vary, depending where the tissue injury is situated.It is good to know that the nervous system contains three parts. The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord, the peripheral nervous system nerve fibers that have the role to provide the skin and muscles the power needed for sensation and movement, and the third part is the autonomic nervous system that has the role to regulate spinal, peripheral nerves and to innervate the internal organs.
An inflammation of the blood vessels of the brain that appears to 10% of all lupus patients is called the central nervous system vasculitis.This disease usually requires hospitalization and high doses of corticosteroids. Some of the symptoms that appear are high fevers, seizures, psychosis and meningitis-like stiffness of the neck. If it is not aggressively managed, the central nervous system vasculitis rapidly progresses to stupor and coma.
People with mild to moderated systemic lupus erythematosus can experience the cognitive dysfunction. That is a group of symptoms that appear at about 50% of these patients, and we can mention here fatigue, memory impairment, feelings of confusion, and difficulty to express the thoughts. By taking a neuropsychological test or a test called the positron emission tomography, these symptoms can be clearly documented.It is known that cognitive dysfunction may come and go on its own, but no optimal therapy is available. Also, it is not known which is the reason for the symptoms that appear. Dealing with a cognitive dysfunction is frustrating, and often counseling a person in developing coping skills may be helpful.
About 20% of the patients having systemic lupus erythematosus experience the lupus headache. This manifests by severe headaches, is similar to migraine and can be often seen in persons who have also Raynaud’s phenomenon. As a treatment, it is useful the same one used in tension headaches or migraine, and sometimes corticosteroids.
It is known that about a third of the patients having lupus can have a false positive syphilis test, a positive anticardiolipin antibody, or a prolonged clotting time test.This is known under the name of the lupus anticoagulant or the antiphospholipid antibody. About 1/9 of the patients having lupus will develop blood clots in various parts of the body, which is called the antiphospholipid syndrome.If blood clots appear in the nervous system, they can cause a stroke, and symptoms of a stroke include the painless onset of neurologic deficits without any signs of active lupus.If a stroke appears, there must be taken blood-thinning medications. We can mention here low-dose aspirin, coumadin or heparin.
Among patients having systemic lupus erythematosus there is a percentage of 20% that have fibromyalgia syndrome as well. These patients experience increased pain in the soft tissues, tender points, and, in addition cognitive dysfunction, decreased ability to concentrate, lack of stamina and difficulty sleeping. As a treatment, we can mention anti-depressants, counseling, and physical therapy if needed.
It was discovered that medications used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus can develop symptoms like those of the central nervous system lupus.Psychosis can appear due to anti-malarials in very high doses; headache, dizziness, and in rare situations meningitis-like symptoms can be provoked by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Also if a patient uses corticosteroids, there can appear moods swings, psychosis, depression, agitation, confusion, if there are taken high doses can appear seizures, and anti-hypertensive medications may be associated with depression or loss of libido.
A study discovered that people that have both lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome may be predisposed to develop vasculitis or cognitive dysfunction. Sometimes, circulating proteins in the blood can lead to cryoglobulinemia or hyperviscosity syndrome.Plasmapheresis or filtering the blood can ease these complications.Sometimes, pronounced decreases in platelet counts may be associated with bleeding.People with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or who lack Protein S or Protein C may clot, and those with lupus, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and kidney failure may bleed.
In peripheral nervous system lupus, involvement of the cranial nerves can cause visual disturbances, drooping of the eyelid(s), ringing in the ear(s), facial pain and dizziness.Symptoms of numbness or tingling in the arms or legs can appear if there is an inflammation of the blood vessels supplying the peripheral nerves. There can also appear symptoms due to other conditions than lupus and electromyogram and nerve conduction tests are usually helpful to determine if symptoms are due to some other cause. Corticosteroids are used to treat inflammation of the peripheral nerves.
It is important for your doctor to know if you experience nervous system symptoms. It is possible that these symptoms to appear due to lupus, due to a medication or a particular aspect of your life. The doctor will ask you about the symptoms you experience, he will perform a physical examination and a laboratory evaluation including a blood chemistry panel, complete blood count and urinalysis. Also, diagnostic tests like sedimentation rate, ANA, anti-DNA, anti-ribosomal P antibodies and complement may be useful in order to determine nervous system involvement.There are neurodiagnostic tests, that include CT and MRI brain scans, brain waves or electroencephalogram and spinal taps.In a few hospitals, there can also be performed PET scans.The spinal fluid may be examined for cells, protein components and antineuronal antibodies. In patients with cognitive dysfunction, neuropsychologic tests may be helpful.
The treatment for nervous system lupus depends upon its source, and can include immunosuppressants, blood thinners, antibiotics, steroids, anti-depressants, counseling or surgery. If there are evident diagnostic difficulties, a rheumatologist and/or neurologist should be involved in your care. It was seen that for many people with lupus, nervous system involvement is completely reversible.
For more resources about symptoms of lupus please review this http://www.lupus-guide.com/systemic-lupus.htm or even http://www.lupus-guide.com/lupus-rash.htm
For more resources about symptoms of lupus please review this http://www.lupus-guide.com/systemic-lupus.htm or even http://www.lupus-guide.com/lupus-rash.htm
Though many people have not even heard of Lupus, it is common – more common than some well-known diseases such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and leukemia. But because not much is known about the disease, treatment of lupus is made more difficult. What is lupus, exactly?
Diagnosis and treatment of lupus(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Lupus.html) is made more complicated by the fact that currently, there is no one single test that can positively identify the disease. In fact, lupus is often mistaken for other diseases with some similar symptoms, such as multiple sclerosis or arthritis. In fact, lupus is an auto-immune disease in which the body essentially “turns” on itself. When this happens the body creates antibodies that attack the body rather than protect it.
Lupus(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Lupus.html) sometimes only affects a single area of the body. Some of the most common areas to be affected are:
# Lungs: lupus can cause inflammation of the lungs’ lining, which can lead to pneumonia or pleuritis
# Kidneys: Inflammation of the kidneys can be caused by lupus, and this inflammation can lead to nephritis. The onset of nephritis is usually not accompanied by pain, so the lupus may not be detected.
# Heart: Chest pains, and subsequent hardening of the arteries, may be caused by lupus
# Blood: Anemia and inflamed blood vessels can result from lupus.
Lupus can often be identified by a rash on the body, most often on the face. Sunscreen can help to treat this rash. Some medications for other illnesses can trigger attacks, so this should be kept in mind in the treatment of lupus. Flu shots are recommended for lupus treatment, as they can prevent secondary infections which commonly occur in those with lupus. Other suspected triggers of lupus are dental fillings and hair dye, though there is no conclusive evidence of this. Because fear and anxiety may be triggers of lupus attacks, discontinuing use of certain products believed by patients to trigger attacks may be beneficial, even if these substances do not truly affect the body physiologically.
Natural Treatment of Lupus(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Lupus.html)
A healthy diet containing necessary vitamins and nutrients, as well as regular exercise, are most effective in the prevention and treatment of lupus. Other kinds of meditative or calming activities, such as breathing exercises, can be effective in lupus treatment and can prevent skin flare-ups.
Author Bio:
Mitamins team
bd@mitamins.net
Lupus – Find Authoritative Natural Treatment Information, Plus Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements for Supporting Lupus Treatments, Symptoms, Causes.
Lupus is a complex autoimmune disease that generates a wide variety of symptoms. The symptoms produced by lupus may range from mild to severe and generally occur in flares, unpredictably aggravating or ameliorating over time. Some of the common symptoms of lupus are: pronounced fatigue, pain and swelling of the joints, skin rashes and fever. At skin level, lupus often causes the occurrence of the “butterfly rash”, which appears across the nose and cheeks. Although the butterfly rash is the most common rash characteristic to lupus, the disease can cause many other different types of rashes located in various regions of the body: face and ears, scalp, neck, arms, shoulders, hands, chest and back.
The autoimmune disease can also produce symptoms such as chest pain, increased sensitivity to sunlight, alopecia (hair loss), anemia or leucopenia (decrease in the number of red blood cells, respectively white blood cells), and paleness or cyanosis of the fingers and toes (due to poor oxygenation of the body extremities). Patients with lupus often suffer from headaches, vertigo (dizziness), decreased vision, poor concentration, psychological conditions (depression) and sometimes even seizures and faints. The progression of the disease is unpredictable and symptoms may come and go unexpectedly. Over time, patients with lupus may experience different sets of symptoms, occurring in flares and varying in intensity and duration.
When lupus affects the lymphatic system of the body, the most common symptoms of lupus are swelling and pain of the lymph nodes throughout the body. Most cases of lupus either affect the lymphatic system, the musculoskeletal system or the skin. When lupus affects the musculoskeletal system, the most common symptoms are muscular pain, fatigue, swelling and stiffness of the joints. When confined to the skin, lupus commonly generates rashes, inflammation and irritation of the skin.
Lupus often causes kidney affections such as nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys), interfering in the process of excretion and determining the accumulation of toxins inside the body. Lupus patients who also suffer from kidney impairments usually require strong medication treatments in order to prevent the occurrence of serious complications.
In many cases, lupus affects the circulatory system of the body, causing inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis), anemia or leucopenia (decrease in red and white blood cells). Lupus may also lead to the occurrence of thrombocytopenia, a decrease in the number of platelets in the blood, condition that interferes in the process of blood coagulation, increasing the risk of bleeding.
When lupus affects the central nervous system, the most common symptoms are dizziness, headaches, temporary memory loss (amnesia), decreased vision, or neuropsychological problems (depression, unpredictable behavioral changes). Some of these previously mentioned symptoms aren’t solely caused by lupus; often they occur as a result of emotional stress and prolonged lupus medication. The majority of these symptoms can be reversed by interrupting the treatment or reducing the dose of medication.
At pulmonary level, patients with lupus may suffer from pleuritis (inflammation of the interior lining of the chest), condition that causes pronounced discomfort and pain, especially when taking deep breaths. Patients with lupus are also very susceptible of developing pneumonia. At coronary level, patients with lupus may suffer from coronary vasculitis (inflammation of the arteries that deliver blood to the heart), myocarditis and endocarditis (inflammation of the heart itself) and pericarditis (inflammation of the heart protective membrane). If discovered in time, the implications of lupus at coronary level can be efficiently reversed with medical treatment.
So if you want to find more about Lupus or more details about symptoms of lupus please follow this link http://www.lupus-guide.com
So if you want to find more about Lupus or more details about symptoms of lupus please follow this link http://www.lupus-guide.com
Lupus Overview
Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus, SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks various organs or cells of the body causing damage and dysfunction. Lupus is called a multisystem disease because it can affect many different tissues and organs in the body. Some patients with lupus have a very mild condition, which can be treated with simple medications, whereas others can have serious, life-threatening complications. Lupus is more common in women than men, and its peak incidence is after puberty—the reason for this is unknown.
What is lupus nephritis?
Lupus nephritis is an inflammation of the kidney caused by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease of the immune system. SLE typically causes harm to the skin, joints, kidneys, and brain.
The causes of SLE are unknown. Many factors may play a role, including
· gender—SLE is more common in women than men
· heredity—a gene passed down by a parent
· infections
· viruses
· environmental causes
Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is the most common form of lupus. “Systemic” means it can affect several parts of the body. A subtype of SLE is drug-induced lupus. Some medications uncommonly used for high blood pressure, heart disease and tuberculosis can cause this condition.
What are Neurological Sequelae Of Lupus?
Lupus (also called systemic lupus erythematosus) is a disorder of the immune system. Normally, the immune system protects the body against invading infections and cancers. In lupus, the immune system is over-active and produces increased amounts of abnormal antibodies that attack the body’s tissues and organs. Lupus can affect many parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system, and blood vessels. The signs and symptoms of lupus differ from person to person; the disease can range from mild to life threatening.
What is the outlook?
Some people with lupus have only minor symptoms that need no treatment. Others can have multiple symptoms that are severe.
The course of the disease is different for each person. In some it will disappear completely, for others the condition waxes and wanes or gets progressively worse.
Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms and disease pattern varies so much from person to person.
However, there are blood tests available to help spot the condition.
What causes Lupus?
Despite many years of research, the cause of lupus is still not known. Scientists believe there are several things that may trigger the formation of the antibodies, including genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. Some of the possible triggers include:
- Hormones (females between the age of 15 and 45 are most commonly affected)
- Certain medications
- Dietary factors
- Viruses and bacteria
- Stress
- Genetics
- Pregnancy
- Exposure to UV light
Signs and symptoms
No two cases of lupus are exactly alike. Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus experience episodes — called “flares” — of worsening signs and symptoms that eventually improve or even disappear completely for a time.
The signs and symptoms of lupus that you experience will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease.
Read about health and diseases Also read about home remedies for and 300 guides
Lupus Awareness Month is May and one of several observances promoted by the Lupus Foundation of America. RocknBauble.etsy.com announces it will support Lupus Awareness Month by donating 10 percent of the proceeds from the sale of its Lupus Awareness Jewelry line. Custom Lupus Awareness bracelets, necklaces, earrings and book thongs are being offered through the RocknBauble storefront located on the ETSY.com website. "I am excited to assist this cause with creating custom Lupus Awareness Jewelry and donating part of the proceeds to help support Lupus Research, " said Andi (Lupus Jewelry Artist). Jewelry for all awareness colors and causes is available with a percentage of the proceeds to be given to the cause the particular piece represents and we will place an emphasis on Lupus this month.
About Lupus Awareness Month:
Lupus Awareness Month is one of several observances promoted by the Lupus Foundation of America (www.lupus.org) to increase visibility for lupus. Beginning in 2008, the LFA and its chapters have designated May as Lupus Awareness Month to incorporate other related events into the observance. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1,500,000 Americans have a form lupus. This estimate is based on two nationwide polls, which asked respondents if they, or anyone in their immediate household, had ever been diagnosed with lupus. In addition, another poll revealed that 28% of all Americans know someone with lupus. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that, for unknown reasons, causes inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any of the body’s own cells, tissue, and organs – especially the skin, joints, blood, heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain.
About RocknBauble:
RocknBauble.com owner and jewelry artist Andi states, “As a nurse I like to heighten the publics awareness of Lupus and all other awareness causes. Awareness jewelry is my way of promoting these causes.” Andi fashions her awareness jewelry by hand and meticulously selects all materials so each piece is unique. Butterflies, Baubles, Stars, Lampwork Beads, Furnace Glass, Czech Republic Crystals, Swarovski Crystals, Fresh-water Pearls, Sterling Charms, Hearts and Puzzle pieces are used in this high quality jewelry, as well as some highly desirable variations and more unusual settings most of which are hand crafted by local and international artisans. Andi’s flair for style and eye for color shines through in every awareness creation. Due to local success and growing demand for her jewelry internationally she decided to start her storefront on Etsy for greater accessibility with a global reach.
Visit her storefront at www.RocknBauble.etsy.com
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25 + years marketing, advertising and technical writing experience
Andi Vogel
254 Agua Vista St,
DeBary, FL 32713 USA
andi@rocknbauble.com
DeBary, FL 32713
www.RocknBauble.etsy.com
(PR by www.ArtsInMarketing.com)
