What is Lupus?
What is Lupus?
Blog Article
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder where the body's natural defense system incorrectly fights against its own tissues, resulting in inflammation, discomfort, and destruction. This condition can impact various bodily systems, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and brain.
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There are various forms of lupus, with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) being the most recognized form. In addition, there are discoid lupus, which mostly impacts the skin, and drug-induced lupus, induced by certain medications.
What Causes Lupus?
The precise cause of lupus remains unclear, but researchers believe it stems from a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. Those with a family background of lupus could be at increased risk of developing the disease.
Environmental triggers such as sun exposure, infections, or specific drugs can trigger lupus in patients who are already vulnerable. Hormones also contribute, which is why lupus is more common in women, especially between the ages of 15 and 44.
Symptoms of Lupus
Lupus presents with a broad spectrum of signs, which may differ from individual to individual. The most frequent symptoms are:
Fatigue: Severe exhaustion is a very common symptoms in lupus patients.
Joint pain and swelling: Many people suffer from pain, stiffness, and swelling in their joints, particularly after waking up.
Skin rashes: A malar rash across the cheeks and nose is a typical sign of lupus, but rashes can also appear in other parts of the skin.
Fever: Random fevers often develop without any apparent cause.
Hair loss: Hair shedding is frequent in people with lupus, and some may even lose clumps of hair.
In severe cases, lupus can result in issues affecting vital organs, including the kidneys, heart, and lungs.
How Lupus is Diagnosed
Recognizing lupus can be difficult because its symptoms resemble those of many other conditions. Physicians use a combination of diagnostic tests, scans, and clinical evaluations to diagnose the condition.
Some screenings used include:
Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test: An abnormal ANA level often signals an autoimmune disorder, although it’s not exclusive to lupus.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): This test monitors the level of inflammation in the body and is often elevated in lupus patients.
Urinalysis: Checking for protein or blood in urine can indicate kidney involvement in lupus.
Lupus Treatments
Although lupus cannot be cured, treatments are available to control symptoms and improve quality of life. Care strategies differ based on the severity of the disease but typically consist of:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): This category of drugs ease pain and inflammation.
Corticosteroids: For severe inflammation, corticosteroids might be necessary to reduce inflammation.
Antimalarial drugs: Medications like hydroxychloroquine are effective in controlling lupus flare-ups.
Consistent medical evaluations and changing treatments as needed are important to managing lupus.