Lupus is a very complicated disease that attacks one’s own immune system. This happens when the immune system mistakes some parts inside our body as foreign substances and therefore attacks it instead of protecting it. There are many things that one should know about this disease. These are the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and how to stay healthy.

Joints, skin, kidney, heart, lungs, brain and blood vessels are the parts of our body that can be affected by lupus. Some of the most common symptoms of lupus are fatigue, inflammation in the joints, very high fever, red rashes and kidney problems.

There are five types of lupus, namely:

SLE or Systemic lupus erythematosus: This affects many parts of the body. The symptoms of it can be mild and severe and usually affects people within 15 to 45 years old.

Discoid lupus: This affects the skin. A person with this kind of lupus will have red and raised rashes that will occur for days or weeks at a time.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus: This lupus type causes lesions in the parts of the body that are usually under the sun. this doesn’t cause scars.

Drug-induced lupus: Side effects from medications can cause this type of lupus. Most times the lupus symptoms will go away when the patient stop taking the medicine that caused it.

Neonatal lupus: This uncommon type of lupus affects newborns of women that have SLE and other diseases.

Causes of lupus: The causes of lupus are not exactly known yet. However, it is believed to be caused by genetics, the environment and hormones. The following factors below are being studied researchers to know if these can also cause lupus:

- Sunlight

- Stress

- Particular medicines

- Viruses and other infectious agents

A person’s immune system with lupus produces auto antibodies that attack joints and body organs instead of protecting it. One of these auto antibodies is the Anti Nuclear Antibody. The causes of lupus are still largely unknown and compounding the vagueness is that each patient shows different symptoms.

The symptoms of lupus that are most common to all of the patients are arthritis, unidentified type of fever, severe fatigue, malar rash and sensitivity to sunlight. There can also be hair loss, mouth ulcers, anemia, chest pain, headaches, depression and seizures.

Body Organs that can be affected:

Kidney: Nephritis will occur with no pain at all. In some cases, the ankles of the patient will swell.

Lungs: If the lungs are affected, it will cause pleuritis that also causes the symptoms such as chest pain and breathing problems.

Central Nervous Symptom: If this is attacked, this will cause the symptoms that occur in the head.

Blood Vessels: The person with lupus that attacks the blood vessels will likely to have vasculitis that affects the circulation of the blood.

Blood: If affected, the person can have anemia leukopenia and thrombocytopenia and abnormal blood clotting.

Heart: The heart can have inflammation if affected by lupus. This will cause chest pains and other symptoms of lupus.

Sometimes, a lupus flare-up comes suddenly and without warning. You may see a butterfly rash over the bridge of your nose and swelling, or you may experience headaches, dizziness, a fever and pain in various locations. According to the Lupus Foundation, there are some things that you can do to prevent a flare-up.

Always take your prescribed medication, never miss a doctor’s appointment (even if you feel fine), avoid sulfonomide drugs (typically used to treat bronchitis or urinary tract infections), decrease your exposure to sunlight and use sunscreen, get lots of rest and do not smoke. The good news is that 80-90% of the people with this condition can still live a normal life span, with treatment.

There are five types of lupus: systemic lupus erythematosus, which affects the joints and organs; discoid lupus, which affects the skin; sub-acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which is characterized by skin lesions; drug-induced lupus that develops after a drug reaction; and neonatal lupus that affects newborns. Lupus signs include: fatigue, fever, weight loss/gain, joint pain/stiffness/swelling, butterfly rashes on the cheeks, skin lesions that worsen with sunlight, mouth sores, fingers and toes that turn white or blue in the cold, shortness of breath, chest pain, dry eyes, easy bruising, anxiety, depression and/or memory loss.

The Lupus Foundation says there are no two cases of such a condition that are exactly alike. Signs may emerge gradually or come on suddenly, and can be mild or severe. Most people have “flare-ups” or episodes. To test for lupus, your doctor will ask you some questions, run a standard physical, take urine and blood samples and perform an electrocardiogram.

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) manifests itself as an inflammation, with rashes and scarring on the face, ears and scalp. The lesions may be inflamed, scaling or crusty in appearance, with the centers lighter and the rims darker. A small percentage of these patients have internal organ failure too, but usually symptoms are primarily skin-related.

Cortisone ointment or injections can be helpful in treating the flare-ups. Drugs like Plaquenil, Aralen, Imiquimod, Quinacrine, Accutane or Soriatane are sometimes prescribed but should be carefully monitored for side effects.

Dealing with this condition can be an emotional ordeal. Sometimes sufferers encounter depression, anxiety, fatigue and high levels of stress. Learn all you can about systemic lupus erythematosus to help yourself cope. Reading about new treatments and research being done can give you a sense of hope.

Be open with your family and friends about how you are feeling and let them know how they can help. Meditating, writing in a journal or simply making time for yourself through rituals or routines can make life more enjoyable as well. For sufferers of this condition, it’s empowering to connect with others who are experiencing the same life events. You can check the Lupus Foundation or Arthritis Foundation websites for the nearest chapter.

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