LUPUS
is called as an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. This results symptoms in such as inflamation, swelling, and damage to joints, kidneys, skin, blood, the heart and lungs.
Under normal function, the immune system makes proteins called antibodies in order to protect and fight against antigens such as viruses and bacteria. Lupus makes the immune system unable to differentiate between antigens and healthy tissue. This leads the immune system to direct antibodies against the healthy tissue - not just antigens - also causing swelling, pain, and tissue damage.
(* An antigens is a substance of inducing a specific immune response
THE TYPES OF LUPUS
1.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ( SLE )
It can affect any of the body's organs and organ system. SLE sufferers will see joint, lungs, blood, kidneys, and the heart be affected. This type of lupus is characterized by period of flare ( when desease is active ) and period of remission ( when the disease is dormant ).
2.
Discoid ( cutaneous ) Lupus.
The patients with discoid lupus have a version of the disease that is limited to the skin. This is characterized that appears on face, neck , and scalp, and it does not affect internal organs.
3.
Drug - Induced Lupus.
This type of lupus is caused by a reaction with a certain prescription drugs and causes symptoms very similar to SLE. The drugs most commonly associated with this form of lupus are a hypertension Pmedication called
HYDRALAZINE and a heart arrhythmia mediacation called
ROCAINAMIDE , but there are some other 400 drugs that can also cause the condition. Drug - nduced lupus is known to subside after the patient stop taking the triggering medication.
4.
Neonatal Lupus
Neonatal lupus occurs when a mother passes auto antibodies to a fetus. The unborn and newborn child can have skin rashes and other complications with the heart and blood. Usually a rash appear but eventually fades within the first six month of the child's life.
Who Is Affected By Lupus ?
The disease affect both male and female , but women are diagnosed 9 time more often than men, usually between the ages of 15 and 45. Others risk factors include exposure to sunlight, certain prescription medication, infection with Epstein - Barr virus, and exposure to certain chemicals.
What causes lupus ?
Although doctors are do not know exactly what causes lupus and other autoimmune disease, most believe that lupus results from both genetic and environmental stimuli.
Here, the certain environmental factors that cause lupus symptoms. These include :
1. Extreme stress
2. Exposure ultraviolet light, especially sunlight.
3. Smoking
4. Some medications and antibiotics, especially those in the sulfa and penicilin group.
5. Some infections, such as Cytomegalovirus 9 CMV ), Parvivirus ( such as fifth disease ), hepatitis C infection, and the Epstein - Barr virus ( in children ).
6. Chemicals exposure to compounds such as trichloroethylene in well water and dust.
These are the symptoms of lupus :
1. Achy joints, arthritis, and swollen joints, especially in wrist , small joints of hands, elbows, knees and ankles.
2. Swelling of the hands and feet due to kidneys problem.
3. Fever over more than 100 degrees F ( 38 degrees Celcius )
4. Prolonged or extreme fatique
5. Pain on the chest on deep breathing or shortness of breath.
6. Hair lose or alopecia
7. Abnormal blood clotting problem
8. Mouth nor nose ulsers
9. Dry eyes, anxiety, depression, headaches, and memory loss.
10. Skin lesion or rashes, especially on hands, necks, back, arm, face
11. Easy bruising
12. Anxiety, depression. headaches, and memory loss.
13. Anemia ( Oxygen carrying deficiency of red blood cell )
14. Mouth or nose ulcers
15. Hair lose or alopecia
16. Raynaud's phenomenon : fingers turn white and / or blue or red in cold
17. Butterfly - shaped rash ( malar rash ) across the checks and nose