Understanding LUPUS- details or describe of
LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS
Lupus is
an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system mistakes the body's
own tissues as foreign invaders and attacks them. Some people with lupus suffer only minor inconvenience. Others suffer
significant lifelong disability.Nine out of 10 people with lupus are women. The
disease usually strikes between age 15 and 44, although it can occur in older
individuals.
There
are two kinds of lupus:
Discoid lupus erythematosus
(DLE)
DLE mainly affects skin that is exposed to sunlight and doesn’t typically
affect vital internal organs. Discoid (circular) skin lesions often leave scars
after healing of the lesions.
Systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE)
SLE is more serious: It
affects the skin and other vital organs, and can cause a raised, scaly,
butterfly-shaped rash across the bridge of the nose and cheeks that can
leave scars if untreated. SLE can also affect other parts of the skin elsewhere
on the body.
Sign 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.The signs
and symptoms of lupus that you experience will depend on which body systems are
affected by the disease. The most common signs and symptoms include:
·
Fatigue
·
Fever
·
Joint pain, stiffness
and swelling
·
Butterfly-shaped rash
on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere
on the body
·
Skin lesions that
appear or worsen with sun exposure (photosensitivity)
·
Fingers and toes that
turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods (Raynaud's
phenomenon)
·
Shortness of breath
·
Chest pain
·
Dry eyes
·
Headaches, confusion
and memory loss
Causes
Lupus occurs when your immune system attacks healthy tissue in
your body (autoimmune disease). It's likely that lupus results from a
combination of your genetics and your environment.
·
Sunlight. Exposure to the sun may bring on lupus
skin lesions or trigger an internal response in susceptible people.
·
Infections. Having an infection can initiate lupus
or cause a relapse in some people.
·
Medications. Lupus can be triggered by certain types
of blood pressure medications, anti-seizure medications and antibiotics. People
who have drug-induced lupus usually get better when they stop taking the
medication. Rarely, symptoms may persist even after the drug is stopped.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase your risk of lupus include:
·
Your
sex. Lupus is more
common in women.
·
Age. Although lupus affects people of all
ages, it's most often diagnosed between the ages of 15
and 45.
·
Race. Lupus is more common in
African-Americans, Hispanics and Asian-Americans
How is lupus diagnosed?
There is no
single test for lupus. Because lupus affects different people in different
ways, it can be hard to diagnose.
Your doctor
will check for lupus by examining you, asking you questions about your symptoms
and past health, and doing some urine and blood tests.
How
can you manage lupus?
One of
the goals of controlling mild to moderate lupus symptoms is to prevent flares.
You can:
- Rest to reduce stress.
- Avoid the sun. Wear sunscreen and
protective clothing when you are outside.
- Exercise regularly to prevent fatigue
and joint stiffness.
- Stop smoking.
- Watch your symptoms. If they seem to be getting
worse, take steps to control them. For example, if your fatigue, pain, or rash gets worse, it may be a sign of a
flare.
Foods You Should Add to Your Lupus
Diet
These foods can be helpful
for people living with lupus:
·
Foods
high in iron. Eating leafy green vegetables, fish, and lean meat like
liver can help offset your risk of anemia. Many
breakfast cereals are also fortified with iron.
·
Fish. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish like salmon,
mackerel, sardines, and herring, contain natural anti-inflammatory substances
- Antioxidants. Many fruits and
vegetables are high in antioxidants, which are natural healers. Berries,
apricots, and sweet potatoes are especially good sources.
- Vitamins. Vitamin E, zinc, vitamin A, and the B vitamins are all beneficial in a lupus diet.Vitamin D is especially important for people with lupus because lupus patients need to avoid the sun, and that can result in lower absorption of vitamin D.