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LUPUS
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, a type of self-allergy whereby the
patient's immune system overproduces antibodies which then attack the person's
own tissues. Lupus is neither infectious nor contagious, and its effect is
inflammatory. Patients principally suffer extreme fatigue and joint and muscle
pains. A variety of other symptoms are possible, as well as damage to vital
organs if the illness has taken a strong hold. Nine out of ten people with
lupus are female, and whilst it is usually triggered between the ages of 15 and
50, children can also have the illness. The incidence of the disease being
greater in Afro-Caribbean and Asian communities.
Causes
The causes of lupus are not fully understood, although heredity,
puberty, hormonal activity and change, childbirth, viral infections, sunlight,
the menopause, trauma or strong medication may play a part in triggering the
illness. Lupus can affect people of all ages and both sexes. The predominance
of the illness seen in females is due to the influence of hormonal factors.
Symptoms
Lupus can present in a complex number of ways, even to the extent
of 'mimicking' other illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis
(MS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Lupus can be hard to diagnose and the
condition can be overlooked, sometimes for years, unless the physician is alert
to its possibility. Many patients differ in symptom patterns, which are taken
into account with specific blood tests prior to diagnosis.
A skin problem does not necessarily occur in systemic lupus (SLE)
but is always present in discoid lupus (DLE), where rashes occurring on the
face, scalp or neck can be quite severe. Both types arise from a disorder of
the immune system. DLE can develop into systemic lupus, but does not always do
so. It is most unusual for the SLE patient to develop DLE. In summary:
SLE - acute, subacute or chronic skin rashes may occur, mainly on
the arms and upper body, together with the possibility of a 'butterfly' rash on
the cheeks.
DLE - disc-shaped lesions can occur on the face, neck or scalp.
Lupus is a weighty burden for the patient, being incurable and
causing physical limitations and pain. Continuous resolve is needed by patients
and their families to ensure that they are not 'dragged down' by lupus and are
able to restore and maintain some quality to their lives.
Treatments
Both SLE and DLE skin conditions respond to treatment, but may
recur where the underlying illness flares from time to time. The reasons for
flare-ups are not always well understood. There is, as yet, no cure. Careful
monitoring of the illness together with a flexible treatment programme, enables
the condition to be controlled in the majority of patients. Treatments may
range from no medication at all in very mild lupus, through NSAIDs
(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and corticosteroids to
immunosuppressives and even stronger medication, where the illness is more
serious. As the patient's lupus becomes better managed, the physician will try
to reduce the volumes and/or levels of medication, eventually to reach the
lowest possible maintenance level. Patients can learn to reduce the impact of
the illness by becoming better educated about the condition, by learning to
'pace' their daily routines, by taking regular rest and by reducing the
incidence of stress, depression, anger and pain wherever possible. For many
lupus patients, lifelong medication and care is needed, yet in a smaller
percentage the illness has been known to recede, particularly after the
menopause. Physicians now have much greater knowledge of this still-mysterious
disease and have a wider range of drugs at their disposal, which have made for
easier control of the individual's own 'brand' of lupus.
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directions. The entire process should take less than 10 minutes. You'll be glad
you did.
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