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October is Lupus Awareness Month, and while awareness is not limited to one month—it is a perfect time to highlight the unusual condition that is Lupus. Please keep reading to discover fifteen essential Facts Everyone Should Know About Lupus. I hope you will get involved and spread Lupus awareness.
An Overactive Immune System Is The Blame For Lupus.
Our body's immune system is designed to protect us from disease and infection by producing antibodies to destroy harmful invaders such as bacteria, viruses, or toxins. However, with an autoimmune disease, the body's immune system misidentifies our normal, healthy cells as foreign and attacks them.
Types Of Lupus
There are currently five types of Lupus, each affecting the body differently.
Each type of Lupus tends to have different treatment plans, which usually involve chemotherapy and steroids. These treatments aim to suppress the overactive immune system, the root cause of Lupus. It is important to note that the dosage and duration of these treatments are carefully monitored to minimize potential side effects. Lupus does not function the same way for everyone.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
It is the most common and can affect the entire body, affecting many organs simultaneously, such as the skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain.
Discoid Lupus
Cutaneous Lupus usually only affects the skin.
Drug-induced Lupus
The symptoms of drug-induced Lupus are like systemic Lupus; however, symptoms usually subside when the drugs are discontinued.
Neonatal Lupus
Neonatal Lupus is a rare condition in which the mother’s antibodies affect the foetus. At birth, the baby may have a skin rash, liver problems, or low blood cell counts, but these symptoms typically disappear entirely after six months with no lasting effects. However, in some cases, Neonatal Lupus can lead to more severe conditions, such as heart block, which may require ongoing medical care.
The Key Symptoms Associated With Lupus?
The two most common symptoms of Lupus are joint/muscle aches and pains and extreme fatigue, as reported by close to 90% of lupus patients, which unfortunately can cause substantial impairments in quality of life and work disability.
Other symptoms include:
- Rashes
- Anaemia
- Light Sensitivity
- Headaches/Migraines
- Hair Loss
- Oral/Nasal Ulcers
- Brain Fog
- Depression
- Anxiety
It is important to note that there are many manifestations of Lupus, and it is rare for two people to share the same experience.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.
Women Are More Likely To Get Lupus
Women are nine times more likely than men to be diagnosed with the disease; however, when men do get Lupus, they tend to have more severe symptoms than women do.
Lupus and Depression Often Go Hand in Hand
Depression is common in people with Lupus. However, it is challenging to determine whether depression is a symptom of Lupus, is a response to having a chronic painful illness or whether it is an unrelated psychological condition.
The Link Between Race And Lupus Symptoms
Lupus is most prevalent in Black, Hispanic, and Asian women, with Black women being three times more likely than Caucasian women to get Lupus. In addition, Black women tend to get Lupus at an earlier age and develop more severe complications.
Is It Often Hard To Get A Lupus Diagnosis?
The wide range of Lupus symptoms can often be attributed to other conditions, making the diagnosis difficult. Lupus is known as "the great imitator" because its symptoms mimic many illnesses. Lupus symptoms can also come, go, and change.
On average, it takes six years for people with Lupus to be diagnosed from the time they first notice their lupus symptoms.
Empower yourself and your loved ones with the knowledge that early diagnosis is crucial. It can significantly improve the management of the disease and the quality of life for those affected.
The Cause of Lupus Is A Mystery
There is no known cause for Lupus, but a few factors trigger it, such as genetics and environmental factors, which either trigger the disease or aggravate symptoms.
Many People May Not Realize They Have Lupus
There are far more undiagnosed Lupus patients out there simply putting up with their symptoms, unaware that they could have Lupus. This is why we must all take responsibility and work towards improving Lupus awareness.
Lupus is usually 'for life' and impacts the patient and their parents, children, friends, and colleagues.
Loved Ones Often Do Not Understand Lupus
Lupus patients often must bear the burden of the illness alone, either because loved ones do not see a real and deserving condition or find it hard to appreciate and understand what the patient is going through and why constant tiredness is often the central feature of this mysterious condition. They do not understand the nature of Lupus or believe their life is being damaged and thus turn away.
New Discoveries Could Change Lupus Care
Despite the challenges, there are promising breakthroughs on the horizon. When my mother was diagnosed with Lupus in the early nineties, she was told her life expectancy was 20 years; however, a new drug called Benlysta was introduced in 2011 and is the first drug specific to treating Lupus. More drugs are rumoured to be developed in the future, offering hope for improved treatments and a cure.
If you would like to find out more information about Lupus, I would recommend Lupus UK, a registered charity that aims to inform and educate the medical profession and the public about Lupus and its effects. This effort aims to improve the lives of people who have Lupus and bring people with Lupus together, so they are not isolated.
Wots Her Name Again?
Lupus survivor Lifestyle blogger, former party girl, and mummy to a cheeky French Bullhuahua called Sassy-Love.
http://www.wotshernameagain.uk/
Photo Sources: Pexels and Pixabay
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