Symptoms & Causes of Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that often leads to total, or major damage to various body organs. Some of the most affected organs include the brain, lungs, and skin, to the heart.

So what is autoimmunity? Autoimmunity is basically a situation where the body's immune system can't differentiate between the normal body cells and tissues from viruses, bacteria and germs. As a result, it generates and directs antibodies to fight everything, including healthy tissues, and hence the destruction of entire organs.

What makes Lupus dangerous is that diagnosis is not as straightforward as with other diseases. This is because the symptoms of Lupus are very similar and commonly confused with those of other diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Notably, Lupus is not contagious, and patients can live and interact freely with their friends and family. Unfortunately, though, Lupus is incurable, but the right treatments can help reduce the pain and counter the symptoms.


Causes of Lupus
There is no clear consensus on what exactly causes Lupus. Nonetheless, most studies suggest that one's genetic makeup, and the immediate environment may trigger the disease. Other risk factors include, but are not limited to:
  • Race: Hispanics, Asian-Americans, and African-Americans are at higher risk of developing Lupus.
  • Gender: Women are at a higher risk than men.
  • Age: A large percentage of diagnosis is among people between the ages of 15 and 45.

Symptoms of Lupus
Lupus has no specific sets of symptoms. To some patients, the symptoms can be temporary or mild. while in others, it may be severe and permanent. However, most Lupus patients go through "flares" or episodes when the symptoms and pain get severe, and then disappear after some time.


All in all, here are some common symptoms of Lupus:

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Abnormally dry eyes
  • Confusion, which may even lead to memory loss
  • Chest pains
  • Skin lesions that appear when exposed to sunlight
  • Joint pain and swelling
  • An abnormal degree of fever
  • Labored breathing, even when not doing intensive activities
  • Raynaud's Phenomenon - fingers and toes blue or white due to cold or stress
  • Rashes that don't disappear after some days. In fact, the most common Lupus symptom is a butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers both cheeks and the nose.

Potential Complications from Lupus

Lupus increases the risk of developing the following complications:

  • Miscarriage: Pregnancy complications and miscarriage are common for women suffering from Lupus.
  • Bone Collapse (Avascular Necrosis) - Lupus interferes with blood supply, which can lead to death of bone tissue.
  • Opportunistic Diseases: Lupus significantly weakens the immune system, which makes patients susceptible to infections and opportunistic diseases.
  • Heart Attack: Inflammation of arteries and heart muscles is a common problem among Lupus patients. The consequences are increased chances of heart attack or failure.
  • Effects on the Brain: Lupus may interfere with the brain's functions, leading to dizziness, seizures, behavior changes and sometimes even loss of vision. Memory loss and inability to organize and express your thoughts are also common effects of Lupus.

Bottomline
Lupus is one of the hardest diseases to manage, especially if it is diagnosed at later stages. It is therefore advisable to go for a medical check-up, as soon as you notice the above symptoms.





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