What Is Lupus?
Lupus is a disease of the immune system. When people talk about “lupus,” they often refer to the most common type, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Your immune system protects your body from infection. Your immune system attacks your tissues.
lupus Symptoms
The three common symptoms of lupus are:
- joint pains
- skin rashes, which may become apparent after being out in the sun
- extreme tiredness, known as fatigue.
Some people with lupus will have these symptoms, though they can still impact daily life.
Other general symptoms are:
- ulcers in the mouth or nose
- hair loss
- fever
- weight loss
- lymph glands in the neck, armpits or groin, or under the chin will be swelling
- depression
Lupus can affect many different body parts, and when internal organs such as the heart, lungs, brain, or kidneys are involved, it can be much more severe. Regular check-ups and reporting new symptoms to your healthcare professionals are essential.
Most people will only have one or a few possible symptoms, and many find that the symptoms come and go.
Lupus Complications
Numerous people who have active lupus feel ill in general. They have a fever, weight loss, and fatigue. When their immune system attacks a particular organ or part of the body, they can also have more specific issues. Lupus can affect these body parts:
Skin. Skin problems are common with lupus. So are hair loss and mouth sores. If you have a type called discoid lupus, you get large, red, circular rashes that may scar you. Sunlight usually irritates skin rashes. A common lupus rash called subacute cutaneous erythematosus is often worse after you go out in the sun. You power have it on your arms, legs, and torso. A rare but severe form of lupus rash called a bullous lupus rash causes large blisters.
Joints. Arthritis is prevalent in people who have lupus. It can induce pain, with or without swelling. Immobility and pain may be worse in the morning. Arthritis may be an issue for only a few days or weeks or maybe endless. It’s usually not severe.
Kidneys. Up to half of the people who have lupus get kidney problems. They can be hazardous. These problems are more likely when you also have other lupus symptoms, such as tiredness, arthritis, rash, fever, and weight loss. But they can also happen when you don’t have any other signs.
Blood. People with lupus may have dangerously lower numbers of red blood cells, platelets, or white blood cells.
lupus Causes
Lupus is an autoimmune disease when your immune system attacks healthy tissue in your body. Lupus likely results from a combination of your genetics and your environment.
People with an inherited predisposition for lupus may develop the disease when they encounter something in the environment that can trigger lupus. The cause of lupus, in most cases, yet, is unknown. Some potential triggers include:
- Exposure to the sun may get on lupus skin lesions or start an internal response in susceptible people.
- Having an infection can trigger lupus or cause a relapse in some people.
- Lupus can be triggered by certain blood pressure medications, anti-seizure medications, and antibiotics. People with drug-induced lupus usually get more useful when they stop taking medicine. Rarely, symptoms may persist even after the drug stop.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase your hazard of lupus include:
- Your sex.Lupus is more common in women.
- Although lupus affects people of all ages, it’s often diagnosed between 15 and 45.
- Lupus is more typical in African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans.
Complications
Inflammation caused by lupus can impact many areas of your body, including your:
- Lupus can cause severe kidney damage, and kidney failure is one of the leading causes of death among people with lupus.
- Brain and central nervous system.If your brain to impacted by lupus, you may experience headaches, dizziness, behavior changes, vision issues, and even strokes or seizures. Numerous people with lupus experience memory issues and may have problems expressing their thoughts.
- Blood and blood vessels.Lupus may lead to blood issues, including a reduced number of healthy red blood cells and an increased risk of bleeding or blood clotting (platelet).
- Lupus increases your chances of developing an inflammation of the chest cavity lining, which can make breathing painful. Bleeding into the lungs and pneumonia are possible.
- Lupus can cause heart muscle, arteries, or heart membrane inflammation. The risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks increases significantly as well.
Other complications
Other complications can arise from lupus.
Infection
The infection becomes more likely when a person has lupus because the disease and its treatments weaken the immune system. Common infections include:
- urinary tract infections
- respiratory infections
- yeast infections
- salmonella
- herpes
- shingles
Bone tissue death
It occurs when there is a low blood supply to a bone, resulting in small breaks developing. Eventually, this can lead to bone crumpling. People with lupus may be at increased risk of this due condition and to medications such as corticosteroids, which to used to treat lupus.
Pregnancy complications
People with lupus have a more increased risk of pregnancy loss, preterm birth, and preeclampsia, a harmful condition that includes high blood pressure. To decrease the risk of these complications, doctors often recommend trusted Sources delaying pregnancy until lupus has been under control for atleast six months.
