Understanding Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation, pain, swelling and tissue damage occurring throughout the body. It is primarily caused by the body’s immune system trying to attack its own tissues instead of attacking foreign bodies like bacteria and viruses. Lupus can affect many parts of the body including the joints, heart, lungs, kidneys and even blood cells.

Lupus Cause

Just like many other types of autoimmune diseases, medical experts have yet to discover what causes lupus. Many experts believe that the cause may be attributed to both genetics and the environment. They believe that an individual can inherit a predisposition to developing lupus. But it may take coming into contact with a so-called trigger from the environment such as a type of medication or a virus that may lead to lupus.

Lupus Symptoms

Lupus may affect different people in different ways. There are no general signs and symptoms that affect all lupus patients. Whatever signs and symptoms that show may depend on what part of the body the disease may be affecting. Symptoms can range from fever, fatigue, joint pain, weight loss or gain, skin lesions, mouth sores, chest pain and even memory loss. These symptoms may develop either suddenly or in a gradual manner. They can also either be mild or severe depending on the extent of the problem.

Lupus Treatment

Treatment for lupus would depend on the symptoms as well as what part of the body the disease might be affecting. It is important that individuals suffering from lupus should talk with their doctors to determine what type of treatment would be effective for their case. The level of the treatment would also depend on how aggressive the signs and the symptoms of lupus show in different individuals.

Some of the possible medications that may be provided would include Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs or NSAID’s, corticosteroids and antimalarial drugs which have been known to prevent flare ups of the disease in some people. An important thing that doctors also consider when giving treatment for lupus on certain individuals is the potential side effects that they might bring. Corticosteriods and antimalarial drugs are known to cause certain side effects.