What to know about lupus

By Metro Creative

Estimates from the Lupus Foundation of America indicate roughly five million people across the globe have a form of lupus. Though that figure suggests a person’s chances of developing lupus are slim, it’s still worth anyone’s time to gain a basic understanding of the disease.

What is lupus?

The Lupus Research Alliance reports lupus is a serious autoimmune disease that prompts the immune system to attack healthy cells by mistake. Lupus is a chronic disease that requires long-term treatment. The LRA notes that symptoms vary among individuals with lupus, which can make the disease difficult to detect.

Types of lupus

Lupus Canada notes that there are four different types of lupus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): SLE is a chronic illness, but Lupus Canada notes that most people diagnosed with it are not continuously sick for the rest of their lives. The LRA reports SLE affects many parts of the body. If left untreated, the inflammation resulting from SLE can cause organ damage and compromise organ function.

Cutaneous lupus: Cutaneous lupus causes a rash or lesion on the skin, typically after skin is exposed to sunlight. Lupus Canada notes cutaneous lupus is not life-threatening and does not affect internal parts of the body. However, cutaneous lupus may sometimes occur along with SLE, so individuals may experience skin rashes in addition to symptoms associated with SLE.

Drug-induced lupus: Some people develop lupus due to an overreaction to certain medications. In such instances, the disease is characterized as drug-induced lupus and typically goes away once a person stops taking the medication that triggered the response.

Neonatal lupus: The LRA notes that autoantiobodies are immune proteins that mistakenly target the body’s own tissues and organs when a person has an autoimmune disease, such as lupus. Neonatal lupus occurs when an infant acquires autoantibodies from a mother with SLE. Issues associated with neonatal lupus, including problems that affect the skin, liver and blood, typically resolve within six months. However, congenital heart block associated with neonatal lupus requires a pacemaker.

Symptoms of lupus

Symptoms of lupus vary so widely that the LRA characterizes it as “the disease with 1,000 faces.” However, some symptoms are more common than others. The LRA notes the most common symptoms of lupus include:

Fatigue: As many as 90 percent of lupus patients identify fatigue as a primary symptom of their condition. However, the LRA notes that scientists remain uncertain if the fatigue lupus patients feel is a byproduct of the disease or the treatments used to manage it.

Butterfly rash: Also known as a malar rash, the rash that appears across the cheeks and the bridge of the nose in the shape of a butterfly is experienced by roughly half of all people with lupus. The rash is red and can last from days to weeks, and some people experience pain or itchiness as well.

Arthritis: The LRA reports that up to 90 percent of people with lupus will have arthritis.

Unexplained fever: Most people with SLE experience unexplained fevers (body temperatures over 100 F).— Metro Creative