Post by garyw1 on Oct 2, 2012 15:56:09 GMT -5
Lupus "The Great Imitator"
by Joanne Garber
© 2002
Lupus, also commonly referred to as the "Great Imitator"
because of the fact it can mimic so many other diseases. This
makes this disease very hard to diagnose.
Lupus is an auto immune disease causing inflammation to various
organs in the body, particularly the skin and joints, blood and
kidneys. Your immune system normally makes proteins (antibodies)
to protect against the viruses, bacteria and other foreign matters
(antigens). With an auto immune disease such as lupus the body
cannot tell viruses from it's own cells and tissue. Your immune
system then is constantly fighting which in turn lowers your immune
system. Consequently you become even more susceptible to
bacteria and viruses.
Types Of Lupus
Discoid Lupus is always limited to the skin. You can identify it by a
rash that can appear on the face, neck or scalp. This type of lupus is
diagnosed by taking a biopsy of the rash. The biopsy will show
abnormalities that are not found in skin without the rash. Discoid
does not generally involve the internal organs.
Approximately 10 percent of patients that have discoid can evolve
into the systemic form of the disease. Treatment of discoid is not
a guarantee that it won't go into systemic.
Systemic Lupus is more severe, it can affect any organ or system in
the body. Skin and joints can be involved in some people while in
others the organs can be involved. Often when people refer to lupus
they are referring to systemic form.
What Causes Lupus ?
It is really not known what causes lupus. Genetic and environmental
factors are involved. Scientists believe that a person has a genetic
predisposition to the disease (father, mother). Although the
percentage is low, only 10 percent will have a close relative that has
it, and 5 percent will pass it on to their children.
Environmental factors that could trigger the disease are infections,
antibiotics, (especially sulfa drugs and penicillin) ultraviolet light,
and stress.
Lupus may occur at any age in both males and females. Although it
occurs more frequently in women than men. Lupus is often
referred to as a "woman's disease". Because of hormonal factors
during menstrual cycles or pregnancy the symptoms seem to be
more prevalent, which leads doctors to believe estrogen may be
involved.
Symptoms Of Lupus
Mouth or nose sores
Achy joints
Arthritis (swollen joints)
Fatigue
Pain in the chest when taking a deep breath (pleurisy)
Butterfly rash
Anemia
Fever of over 100 degrees
Light or sun sensitivity (photosensitive)
Loss of hair
Fingers turning white or blue in the cold (Raynauld's)
Seizures
When a person has a lupus flare many things can contribute to the
flare. Exposure to the sun causes the rash to appear. With some
infections they could become more serious. Some women develop
signs during pregnancy or right after birth. The onset of the disease
can be triggered by unrelated factors.
Diagnosis Of Lupus
Doctors usually look at the patient's medical history along with lab
tests. There really isn't one certain lab test that can tell a doctor if
a person has lupus or not. The doctor will also look to see if the
person has four or more symptoms of the disease.
Treatment For Lupus
There are effective treatments that can reduce the symptoms. For
many, preventative measures can reduce the risk of flares.
1. Photosensitive patients: Should avoid exposure to the sun. If they
have to be out in the sun, they should use a sunscreen with a high
level of SPF.
2. Immunizations: Protects the patient against certain infections.
3. Support: Either groups, family or friends can help the patient with
any stress they may be going through.
People with this disease should refrain from smoking and alcohol
use. It is also important to have regular checkups.
Some of the medicines that are used are:
1. Tylenol- this is less irritating to the stomach, but is also less
effective than aspirin in reducing the swelling.
2. Corticosteroids- such as prednesone reduces the inflammation and
also suppresses the activity in the immune system. This type of
medication needs to be regulated. It can have side effects if taken
over a long period of time.
3. Anti-malaria- such as (Arlaen) and (Plaquenil) are drugs used to
fight malaria, but are helpful in some for the treatment of lupus.
Some of these drugs can affect the eyes, so an eye exam every 6
months is recommended.
4. Chemo- this treatment is commonly used in the treatment of
cancer, but is also used for people who have more severe cases
of lupus.
5. Nutrition- Fad diets are not good for a person with lupus. A
balanced proper diet is the best.
Prognosis
There is a misconception that lupus is a fatal disease. In fact with
proper diet and treatment 80-90 percent that have lupus can have a
very long life span. Most patients very rarely require hospitalization.
Summary
Each year research brings new methods and findings to this disease.
Many years ago this disease could have meant a possible death
sentence, but with new medical technology and research, lupus is
now a disease which people can live with.
by Joanne Garber
© 2002
Lupus, also commonly referred to as the "Great Imitator"
because of the fact it can mimic so many other diseases. This
makes this disease very hard to diagnose.
Lupus is an auto immune disease causing inflammation to various
organs in the body, particularly the skin and joints, blood and
kidneys. Your immune system normally makes proteins (antibodies)
to protect against the viruses, bacteria and other foreign matters
(antigens). With an auto immune disease such as lupus the body
cannot tell viruses from it's own cells and tissue. Your immune
system then is constantly fighting which in turn lowers your immune
system. Consequently you become even more susceptible to
bacteria and viruses.
Types Of Lupus
Discoid Lupus is always limited to the skin. You can identify it by a
rash that can appear on the face, neck or scalp. This type of lupus is
diagnosed by taking a biopsy of the rash. The biopsy will show
abnormalities that are not found in skin without the rash. Discoid
does not generally involve the internal organs.
Approximately 10 percent of patients that have discoid can evolve
into the systemic form of the disease. Treatment of discoid is not
a guarantee that it won't go into systemic.
Systemic Lupus is more severe, it can affect any organ or system in
the body. Skin and joints can be involved in some people while in
others the organs can be involved. Often when people refer to lupus
they are referring to systemic form.
What Causes Lupus ?
It is really not known what causes lupus. Genetic and environmental
factors are involved. Scientists believe that a person has a genetic
predisposition to the disease (father, mother). Although the
percentage is low, only 10 percent will have a close relative that has
it, and 5 percent will pass it on to their children.
Environmental factors that could trigger the disease are infections,
antibiotics, (especially sulfa drugs and penicillin) ultraviolet light,
and stress.
Lupus may occur at any age in both males and females. Although it
occurs more frequently in women than men. Lupus is often
referred to as a "woman's disease". Because of hormonal factors
during menstrual cycles or pregnancy the symptoms seem to be
more prevalent, which leads doctors to believe estrogen may be
involved.
Symptoms Of Lupus
Mouth or nose sores
Achy joints
Arthritis (swollen joints)
Fatigue
Pain in the chest when taking a deep breath (pleurisy)
Butterfly rash
Anemia
Fever of over 100 degrees
Light or sun sensitivity (photosensitive)
Loss of hair
Fingers turning white or blue in the cold (Raynauld's)
Seizures
When a person has a lupus flare many things can contribute to the
flare. Exposure to the sun causes the rash to appear. With some
infections they could become more serious. Some women develop
signs during pregnancy or right after birth. The onset of the disease
can be triggered by unrelated factors.
Diagnosis Of Lupus
Doctors usually look at the patient's medical history along with lab
tests. There really isn't one certain lab test that can tell a doctor if
a person has lupus or not. The doctor will also look to see if the
person has four or more symptoms of the disease.
Treatment For Lupus
There are effective treatments that can reduce the symptoms. For
many, preventative measures can reduce the risk of flares.
1. Photosensitive patients: Should avoid exposure to the sun. If they
have to be out in the sun, they should use a sunscreen with a high
level of SPF.
2. Immunizations: Protects the patient against certain infections.
3. Support: Either groups, family or friends can help the patient with
any stress they may be going through.
People with this disease should refrain from smoking and alcohol
use. It is also important to have regular checkups.
Some of the medicines that are used are:
1. Tylenol- this is less irritating to the stomach, but is also less
effective than aspirin in reducing the swelling.
2. Corticosteroids- such as prednesone reduces the inflammation and
also suppresses the activity in the immune system. This type of
medication needs to be regulated. It can have side effects if taken
over a long period of time.
3. Anti-malaria- such as (Arlaen) and (Plaquenil) are drugs used to
fight malaria, but are helpful in some for the treatment of lupus.
Some of these drugs can affect the eyes, so an eye exam every 6
months is recommended.
4. Chemo- this treatment is commonly used in the treatment of
cancer, but is also used for people who have more severe cases
of lupus.
5. Nutrition- Fad diets are not good for a person with lupus. A
balanced proper diet is the best.
Prognosis
There is a misconception that lupus is a fatal disease. In fact with
proper diet and treatment 80-90 percent that have lupus can have a
very long life span. Most patients very rarely require hospitalization.
Summary
Each year research brings new methods and findings to this disease.
Many years ago this disease could have meant a possible death
sentence, but with new medical technology and research, lupus is
now a disease which people can live with.