5 Things You Need To Know About Lupus

Lupus is a dreaded disease for many individuals there is still no cure for it. It’s actually an old disease and may not show any symptoms until it reaches the advanced stage of the disease – which makes it really scary!

Lupus, also known as systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE, is an autoimmune disease, which means the immune system mistakenly attacks the cells and tissues of the body. Lupus results in the symptoms of inflammation and damage to various organs in the body including the blood, heart, lungs, kidneys, skin and the joints.

Here are the 5 things you need to know about lupus.

1. Many individuals suffer from it.

Lupus is a centuries-old illness. In the United States, there are about 1.5 million people who are living with lupus and about 5 million others worldwide. Commonly, it strikes women more than men. However, children, teens and men may also suffer from lupus. The common age of lupus development is between 15 and 44 years old.

2. The symptoms of lupus may vary.

No two cases of lupus are the same. In fact, the signs and symptoms of lupus may develop abruptly or slowly, depending on the body of the person affected.

Also, the symptoms may be temporary or permanent and mild or severe. The common signs and symptoms include skin lesion, photosensitivity, a butterfly rash on the face, shortness of breath, fatigue, fever, joint aches, joint swelling, chest pain, headaches and dry eyes.

3. Inflammation and organ damage are the common risks of lupus.

Lupus is characterized by chronic inflammatory condition, which means that it may damage the organs in the long run. The organs usually affected are the heart, brain, joints, lungs, and kidneys.

4. There are celebrities with lupus.

Some celebrities are living with lupus such as Kristen Johnston and Selena Gomez. Kristen Johnston is best known for her role in “3rd Rock from the Sun”. Meanwhile, Selena Gomez was a Disney Channel star and is a renowned singer.

5. Lupus has no treatment but there are therapies to prevent its progression.

There is still no cure for all autoimmune diseases. However, medicines and therapies can help prevent or slow down its progression. In some cases, anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain and swelling. The other drugs used are anti-malarial drugs, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants.

Lupus is a lifelong disease but early detection is important to make sure the disease won’t damage the organs of the body. If you are experiencing all the signs and symptoms mentioned above, it’s better to seek medical advice for further evaluation of the condition.