So few have heard of it, yet worldwide it's seen as more common than leukaemia muscular dystrophy
and multiple sclerosis.
Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE, Lupus) is an autoimmune disease which can affect all parts and
organs of the body giving rise to many varying symptoms.
Lupus is a condition whereby the body's defence mechanism goes into overdrive and starts to attack itself.
The symptoms are many and varied, and the illness often seems to mimic other diseases.
This gives rise to difficulty in diagnosis and the condition can be overlooked, sometimes for years, unless the
General Practioner or consultant is alert to the possibility of lupus.
Symptoms may include
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extreme fatique
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joint and muscle pain
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facial or other rashes
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oral or nasophyryngeal ulcers
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hair loss
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loss of weight
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possible involment of
kidneys, heart, lungs
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fever
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photosensitivity
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hematologic disorders like anaemia
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miscarriage
(especially regarding Hughes Syndrome)
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neurologic disorders
like depression
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People affected
The majority of Lupus patients are female of childbearing age, but men and even young children can be
affected by Lupus.
It is estimated that 1 in 750 women suffer from Lupus in Europe with the ratio of women to men being 9:1.
Lupus is a worldwide disease more common in some races than others.
The incidence in white women is 1 in 1000 compared with that in black women of 1 in 250 and Asian races
also have a higher tendency to Lupus.
Triggers
Lupus is neither infectious nor contagious - the cause is not know though research has provides evidence
implicating heredity, hormones and infections, including viruses.
The disease lies dormant in the body until some trigger outside the body sets the process in motion.
Lupus can be triggered
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- at puberty
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- after childbirth
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- during menopause
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- through sunlight
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- after viral infection
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- after a prolonged course of certain medication
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- as a result of trauma
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Diagnosis and Treatment
Due to the various and often unspecific symptoms, it may take time to attain a definite diagnosis.
The diagnosis can be confirmed by careful clinical investigation and by blood tests (e.g. anti-nuclear and
Anti-dsDNA antibodies).
The type and dosage of medication like anti-malaria drugs, cortisone, immunsuppressants and chemotherapy
depends on the severity of disease activity and organ involvement.
There is no cure ...
People diagnosed normally remain in medical care, with continuing medication.
Many symptoms have less impact as a result, but side effects often occur.
Lupus adversely influences the lives of sufferers, the family and their friends.
SLE - systemic lupus erythematosus
....hard to say - harder to live with....
Please find detailed information on Lupus here.