Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) also referred to lupus dates back to the middle ages and has made an explosion in the past 60 years. Even though more than 1.5 million Americans have lupus and 90% of lupus sufferers are women, between the ages of 15 to 44 (Lupus Research Institute), there is little awareness about the disease. 72% of Americans aged 18-34 have either not heard of the disease or know nothing about it (Medical News Today). However, researchers continue on working to have a better understanding of SLE factors, pathophysiology, current treatment and new prospects for treatment.
Anyone can get Lupus but women of color are two or three times more at risk for lupus than Caucasians (Lupus Research Institute), being Hispanic myself
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We are completely aware about certain diseases such as Cancer and Diabetes but yet we rarely see any type of public service announcement providing information about lupus. I am interested in finding out more information about lupus dealing with testing, treatment and pain management so then I can educate people about it. Normally our body produces antibodies to protect against foreign antigens such as viruses and bacteria, lupus is unable to distinguish it will attack the antigens but also the healthy tissue. This will cause swelling, pain and tissue damage to joints, skin, kidney the heart and lungs. The cause of lupus is still unknown but some contributing factors are hormones, genetics, environment and medication. There is no cure for lupus only treatment for the symptoms caused by lupus.
In the journal, A Review of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Current Treatment Options, focus on the clinical presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus treatment options from pharmacological and
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Both medical journals provide similar information about SLE dealing with genetic influence, hormones, cytokines and similar treatment. Only difference is Mechanisms of Disease Systemic Lupus Erythematosus gives information about environmental influence and A Review of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Current Treatment Options journal has no evidence to support any environmental influence. It gives details about the new medication, Belimumab, which was approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The results are small but significant beneficial with the blockade of B-lymphocyte stimulator with an anti-BLyS antibody (Tsokos, 2011). Another new treatment option is small molecule inhibitors of kinases such as Syk and CaMK4 that are showed in the immune cells of patients with SLE (Tsokos,
In conclusion Lupus is definitely a very serious disease that we must learn more about. My great aunt had Lupus for over ten years and during that time suffered in ways no person should have to. She would fall down constantly and break bones. Near the end of her life, she would break bones doing stuff as simple as getting out of bed.
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause that can affect virtually any part of the body. The medical term for Lupus is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or better known as SLE. With Lupus there is a malfunction in some of the cells of the immune system. "In Lupus, the body overreacts to an unknown stimulus and makes to many antibodies, or proteins directed against body tissue. Thus, Lupus is called an autoimmune disease. ”#
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that attacks women between the ages of 15 and 40. It occurs less often in men than in women. The people affected by lupus vary depending on the country or region. In the US alone, the prevalence rate is highest among Asians of Hawaii, blacks of Caribbean origin, and Native Americans of the Sioux, Arapahoe, and Crow tribes. Lupus is a disease that affects the immune system. We can think of the immune system as an army within the body with hundreds of defenders (known as antibodies). They defend the body from attack by germs and viruses. In lupus, however, the immune system becomes overactive and creates antibodies that attack healthy tissues in the body, such as: the skin, kidneys, lungs, heart and brain.
If a person has lupus there are places to get help. The Lupus Foundation of America provides a lot of help for lupus’ patients. For help you can write to them at: Lupus Foundation of America, 1300 Piccard Drive, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850.
Szuda, Stephanie “Health: Life with Lupus.” The Times. 11 Jan 2008. 19 Nov 2010. <Mywebtimes.com>
Lupus is a rare and crippleing disease. This disease is as rare as it is hard to undertand. Lupus being a not well known disease is hard to pinpoint. This disease causes insufferable pain and body problems. Such a terrible disease causes syptoms like swelling muscles, joint pains, general inflamations, organ failures, and overall fatigue. Lupus is an autoimmune disease ( AKA the autoimmune sytem attacking itself). This autoimmune disease is most common in youge woman in birth bearing age. With little known reason
Do you know that there is currently three types of lupus? Discoid lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus, and lupus like a disorder called destroyer made lupus. Discoid lupus remains limited to our skin and be present in the form of a rash that appears on your face, neck or scalp. The appearance of the rash may possibly be more outward on areas of the skin exposed to electromagnetic lighting. While close by stand many forms of lupus epidemics the most communal is elevated, incrusted and rosy nevertheless not irritated. SLE remains commonly extra plain than discoid lupus. Do you know Discoid lupus is a form of lupus that is be able to cause inflammation in your organs?On behalf of nearly half of our society, this can be to
Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that affects your immune system. This means the body’s natural defense system attacks healthy tissues instead of attacking only bacteria/viruses, therefore leading to inflammation. Lupus is a lifelong disease, but with good medical care patients can lead a full life. It is estimated that 1.5 million Americans have this disease, and it strikes mostly women around the age of 15-44. However, men/teenagers can get this disease as well; the common age for getting Lupus is 15-44. This disease is not contagious! You can’t “catch,” or “give” Lupus to anyone, not even through sexual contact. Lupus is not related to cancer, HIV, or AIDS. In HIV/AIDS patients your immune system is underactive, and in Lupus your immune system is overactive. Some ways to inform others about Lupus is to know the causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Lupus is a chronic, lasts for a long time, inflammatory and autoimmune disease. Lupus is characterized by being autoimmune which is caused by antibodies made by the immune system that attacks the body and its tissues. Also, Lupus is a systemic disease. Systemic diseases in medicine mean:"affecting the whole body, or at least multiple organ systems."(1) Moreover, this diseases has a unique characteristic of flare-ups or relapses, when the disease shows severe symptoms, and remissions when the disease gets better and shows mild or no symptoms at all.(2)
Most know Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) as simply lupus. It is difficult to diagnose and treat but the symptoms can be mentally and physically devastating for any patient. Many may not realize the extent to which a person with SLE is affected on a day to day basis. It is important for healthcare professionals to understand the disease process, including the cause, signs, symptoms, and treatment of SLE. By understanding the aforementioned, healthcare professionals can assist with reporting signs and symptoms to the patient’s doctor to further reach a correct diagnosis, but to provide holistic care to the patient. SLE is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease which means the body’s immune system fallaciously attacks healthy tissues and various organs, in this case, primarily the skin , joints, kidneys, and brain of both men and women.
Description: Lupus is an autoimmune disease which attacks the healthy body immune system. This immune disorder attacks the brain, kidneys, joints, skin, and other organs in the body.
Most experts can agree that there are a number of factors that cause it; the causes of Lupus are from a combination of genetics and the environment. Sometimes people inherit what is called a “genetic predisposition” which means that they inherit the chance to eventually develop it. It is very hard to pinpoint one single source of cause that triggers Lupus like I mentioned before. Things in the environment like UV rays from the sun, or unrelated things like an infection or a pregnancy can trigger it. The symptoms of Lupus range from Extreme fatigue, headaches, photosensitivity, pain/swollen joints, and one clear indicator being a butterfly-shaped rash across the cheek or nose.
Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease marked by its effect on various parts of the body, including the joints, skin, blood, and kidneys. It is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks its own cells and tissues, resulting in pain, inflammation, and often damage to organs. Lupus involves the immune system. The immune system makes antibodies that work to protect the body against foreign substances like viruses and bacteria. Such foreign bodies are called antigens. When a person has lupus, his or her body is unable to determine the difference between antigens and the individual's cells and body tissues. As such, the immune system creates antibodies against the individual's own tissues. These antibodies are called autoantibodies. Depending on the type of lupus, a wide range of symptoms may be experienced, from rashes, hair loss, and achy, swollen joints to fever, anemia, and abnormal blood clotting. Though the disease can affect many parts of the body, individuals usually experience symptoms in only a few organs. There is no known cure for lupus. However,
Most lupus patients are followed very closely by many different types of physicians and specialist due to the multisystem organ involvement. These doctors may include but are not limited to Rheumatologist who specializes in diseases of the joints; there are also Nephrologists the kidney doctor, the Optometrist doctor for the eyes, the Neurologist for the brain and central nervous system, the Cardiologist for the heart and the Primary Care Physician. All of these doctors work together to manage S.L.E. It literally takes a team to help the patient manage and cope with the changes someone with lupus will undergo throughout the entire disease process.
Seems Lupus is getting disobedient ... It’s time to teach it some discipline. But, before that you have to bring it in your life.