Lupus: A Hidden Disease
Many people face challenges that are not directly noticeable to the common person. What comes to mind? You may have thought of mental health, a difficulty that has become more understood and widespread across the population. However, there is another sector of these “invisible challenges” that stems from within - autoimmune disorders. One in particular, Lupus, will be discussed in the article below.
What is Lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation in the body through attacking various areas of the body's system, including your cells, skin, joints, organs, and more. There are different types of lupus, the most common being systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which, as it sounds, circulates throughout the entire body. Signs of inflammation can occur through various symptoms such as:
Dry eyes
Skin lesions/A butterfly-shaped rash
Joint pain, stiffness, and/or swelling
Fatigue
Fever
Lupus Diagnosis/Causes
Lupus is difficult to catch because symptoms vary greatly, there is no definitive test for diagnosis, and it may arise due to different circumstances. Doctors may test for Lupus through bloodwork, skin tests, medical history, and/or physicals.
While the exact cause of Lupus is unknown, scientists suspect that it stems from a combination of genetics, environment, and infections. Interestingly, 9 out of 10 people with the disease are women, suggesting that females are more likely to harbor Lupus than males. Additionally, this disease manifests in people of color more than in white people due to genetic inheritance. Other factors may lie in:
Infections - may initiate or relapse symptoms
Sunlight - may cause lesions or lead to unwanted responses
Medications - certain ones, such as blood-pressure medications, anti-seizure medications, and antibiotics, may trigger Lupus
Lupus Treatment
Unfortunately, Lupus, like other autoimmune diseases, is lifelong. With no known cure, symptoms can only be managed through treatment. Most with this disease take a combination of medications to reduce pain, calm the immune system, and prevent long-term damage to their body. One common drug is called hydroxychloroquine, which helps with joint pain and fatigue and slows disease progression. Some people may also take:
NSAIDs for swelling
Corticosteroids for inflammation
Immunosuppressants for more severe symptoms
Because Lupus affects many parts of the body, individuals would need to see several specialists depending on their symptoms. They would start with a rheumatologist, their main doctor for Lupus. From there, the doctor would be able to refer the patient to a dermatologist if there are skin issues, a nephrologist if there is destruction of the kidneys, and more specialized doctors such as cardiologists (heart), neurologists (nervous system), and/or endocrinologists (hormones).
Although Lupus isn't preventable, flare-ups might be regulated by staying out of the sun, getting enough sleep, managing stress, and staying active with light exercise. With the right care, many people experience long periods of remission and learn how to manage the condition over time.
Written By: Alissa Zhu
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