Recently, there’s been some news of a Nigerian celebrity down with Lupus. Since it isn’t a common disease, many of us have no idea what it is all about. This article should change that. First, we should discuss the immune system.
The Immune system is a large network of cells, tissues, and organs that helps the body fight against infections and other diseases. Sometimes, things go wrong, and the immune system attacks healthy tissue rather than foreign substances. This is known as autoimmune disease. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, otherwise known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disease with multi-systemic manifestations. Its effects are seen in the kidneys, brains, heart, liver, bone marrow, joints, e.t.c. Women are at higher risk for developing lupus than the rest of the population, and most people with lupus can live a normal life with good treatment.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SLE?
Lupus often manifests like other diseases, which make it difficult to diagnose. Also, symptoms may change over time and vary from one individual to another. Females tend to have less severe symptoms than males.
Common symptoms include:
- Arthritis (pain and swelling in the joints )
- Swelling in the feet and around eyes
- Pale or purple fingers or toes from cold and stress(Reynaud’s disease)
- Chest pain during deep breathing(common in males )
- Skin rash
- Severe fatigue
- Blood clotting problems
- Sensitivity to sunlight (common in females )
- Headaches
- Unusual hair loss( common in females )
- Anemia.
CAUSES OF SLE
Although the exact cause of SLE isn’t known, certain factors are associated with the disease.
Some of the factors include:
- Environmental Factors.
Some of the environmental elements that can trigger SLE are; Ultraviolet lights(UVA and UVB), Exposure to silica dust in agricultural or industrial settings, infections, cold, trauma, medications such as Sun-sensitizing tetracycline drugs, physical or emotional stress.
- Genetics
Having a history of autoimmune conditions in the family increases the chance of developing SLE.
- Hormones
Women are more prone to lupus than males and may experience more severe symptoms during pregnancy and menstrual periods when estrogen production is high. This may suggest that estrogen regulates the severity of lupus.
DIAGNOSING SLE
Diagnosing SLE can be challenging as there is no single diagnostics test for SLE, but a series of screenings can help a doctor come out with an informed diagnosis. The test performed may include a Blood test, Chest X-ray, Urinalysis, and many others. Please see a doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms.
TREATMENT FOR SLE
There’s no particular cure for SLE currently, but doctors can do a lot to manage the disease and improve quality of life. The treatment is based on the severity of the symptoms presented and the body parts affected. The treatments may include:
~Administration of Immunosuppressants
~Steroid creams for rashes
~Antimalarial drugs for skin and joint problems
~Corticosteroids to minimize the immune response
~Anti-inflammatory medications for joint, pain, and stiffness.
Reference:https://www.healthline.com/
