News and Info for Lupus

The Causes of Lupus between Facts and Suppositions

Lupus can be defined as a severe inflammatory disease that affects virtually any region of the body. Lupus is also considered to be an autoimmune disease, involving inappropriate functioning of the immune system. Due to this fact, the disease can eventually lead to a wide variety of disorders, producing an extensive range of symptoms.

The healthy human body normally produces antibodies that protect the organism from infections, constantly fighting against bacteria, viruses and antigens, foreign bodies that are responsible for causing all kinds of diseases. However, lupus generates serious impairments at the level of the immune system, causing it to turn against normal, healthy body cells instead of fighting against infectious agents. In the case of patients with lupus, the immune system becomes confused, being unable to make the difference between healthy body cells and antigens, thus attacking the body cells at random. When antigens enter the body and cause infections at various levels of the organism, the compromised immune system produces antibodies that accumulate and build up at the site of the infection, destroying healthy cells and tissues instead of the intruding infectious agents. As a result, the malfunctioning antibodies generate local inflammation, and can even cause serious deterioration of the body tissues.

Although medical science has recently unveiled the way lupus affects the human body, the actual causes of the disease remain unknown. In the absence of clear medical evidence, doctors can only theorize upon the factors causative of lupus. In present, it is suspected that both genetic and environmental factors may be responsible for causing the disease, although the exact risk factors of the disease are still a mystery. Medical scientists have revealed the fact that lupus aggravates on the premises of infections, physical and emotional stress, hormonal dysfunctions and even inappropriate use of antibiotics. However, neither of these risk factors alone can be linked with the occurrence of lupus. Thus, it is believed that lupus occurs due to a cumulus of factors that work together in triggering and facilitating the evolution of the disease.

Elaborate medical research have identified the fact that lupus has a pronounced hereditary character, suggesting a strong implication of genetic factors in causing this type of autoimmune disease. Although the specific causative gene is still unknown to medical science, the fact that lupus can be transmitted from a generation to another can’t be contested. Another interesting feature of lupus is that it predominantly affects the female gender. Despite the fact that it can also affect men, lupus is more often seen in women. Furthermore, lupus is most likely to occur in African American Indian and Asian women, fact that supports the theory regarding the genetic transmissibility of the disease.

Despite the ongoing efforts invested by medical scientists in the process of identifying the exact causes and risk factors of lupus, the disease is still shrouded in mystery. However, doctors are optimistic, claiming that they are very close to revealing the specific causative genetic factors which are nowadays considered to be the main triggers of lupus. Once medical science reveals the way lupus occurs and progresses, doctors will be able to come up with the specific treatment and thus bring hope among the thousands of lupus sufferers.

So if you want to find more about Lupus or more details about lupus rash please follow this link http://www.lupus-guide.com.

August 24, 2010   No Comments

Why is Lupus a Concern For Women and What Are the Causes and Symptoms

Lupus is a common disease found in women, though it does not fail to attack men at times. It is mainly caused due to the development of undesirable antibodies inside the body. Unlike other diseases, the autoimmune system of the body induces lupus in human body, leading to inflammation of various body tissues.

Which Body Parts are targeted?

The development of antibodies can take place in any part of the body. Hence, lupus can target any body part from lungs, kidneys and heart to skin, nervous system and various body joints.

Who are Probable Victims?

It has been estimated that 90% of the patients suffering from lupus are women. Women in the age group of 18-45 are more likely to be victimized by lupus. The women from regions like Native America, Latin America and of African American origin are at higher risks of obtaining this disease.

Why is Lupus of Concern among Women?

Lupus is a disease that can further lead to a number of serious problems. For instance, women suffering from lupus become more prone to heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, joint and muscle pains. Furthermore, lupus in women can also lead to weakening of bones and emergence of diseases like osteoporosis. So fatigue and pains are obviously most prominent problems induced in lupus patients.

How is Lupus Caused?

1-As mentioned in the beginning, immune system of human body is mainly responsible for introduction of lupus in human body. The unfavorable antibodies developed in the body can attack various tissues of the body, thereby leading them to have inflammations.

2-The second-most common cause of lupus is hormone change, especially during the period of pregnancy and during childbirth.

3-Another reason for occurrence of lupus is exposure to extreme environmental conditions like sunlight.

4-Stress is also one of the pertinent causes of the disease.

5-This disorder is often caused due to intake of certain medications, which can advance the development of bad antibodies.

6-Lastly, some types of viruses can also cause lupus in women.

Common Symptoms of Lupus

Lupus occurs in a number of variations, including systemic lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus, neonatal lupus and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. The most common symptoms of all these variations are:

1-Pain and swelling in the body joints.

2-Appearance of skin rashes, which include rashes in the shape of butterfly over nose and cheeks and sores on neck and chest.

3-Pain in the chest, especially during heavy breathing.

4-Inflammation in body organs like heart, lungs and internal organs.

5-Fatigue and anemia.

6-Hair loss.

7-Sensitivity to sunlight.

8-Loss of memory, lack of agility and presence of mind and confusion.

9-Abnormalities related to the nervous system, kidneys and abdomen.

Blood tests, x-rays and other recommended laboratory tests are often used to diagnose lupus. The correct diagnosis and subsequent treatment from a medical expert can easily solve your problem. It is highly recommended that you consult your doctor on the appearance of early signs and symptoms of this disease to get the best treatment.

To Your Health!

Florida Abortion Clinic Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including Florida abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.

August 3, 2010   No Comments

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