From Natural WellBeing
Lupus is an autoimmune condition that can afflict every part of the body and it is more susceptible to women than men. This inflammatory disorder occurs when the immune system fails to identify good cells (antigens) in the body and starts attacking them by producing antibodies. It is like the body is attacking itself and the production of new antibodies combined with the antigens creates an immune complex causing pain and Inflammation. It is a painful and debilitating condition, and people with lupus have a hard time performing regular day-to-day activities. Lupus varies from person to person, as an individual can suffer a mild condition while others can be much more severe or even life threatening issues as a result of their Lupus.
Symptoms of Lupus
People suffering from lupus will experience Joint pain, fatigue, fever, anemia, Arthritis, Alopecia, sensitivity to ultra violet light, and skin rashes. Extreme cases of lupus may include inflammation of the heart and lungs or kidney failures. Some other issues for people affected by this condition may involve scabbing, burning of the ears, face rashes, scaly red rashes, frequent Migraines, Infertility, and weight problems or Obesity.
Types of Lupus
Discoid, systematic, and drug induced are the three types of lupus disorders. Discoid lupus disorder is mostly connected and restricted to the skin area. This condition comes in the form of a rash that appears somewhere on the face, scalp, and neck. Systematic lupus disorder is more serious and severe and can afflict any organ inside the body. There are a few cases that systematic lupus disorder afflicts the joints while in others the lungs, kidneys, blood, heart, and any other organs. The symptoms for this type of lupus condition vary and are never identical. The symptoms can go on remission for short or longer periods and sometimes it can suddenly flare up. Systemic lupus disorder is the most typical type of lupus.
Drug induced lupus disorder occurs after inducing certain prescription drugs, as the symptoms are much more similar to systemic lupus disorder. Hydralazine which is utilized to treat Hypertension or High Blood Pressure and procainamide used in treating irregular heart rhythms are among the drugs that can induced or develop lupus disorder. This type of lupus disorder is mostly seen in men who employ these prescription drugs. Although not everyone who uses these prescribed medications will develop lupus, the bad news is that the causes of lupus is still unknown and there are still no potent cure for the disorder.
Some scientists believe that lupus has a genetic pre-disposition, while others believe that lupus develops due to environmental factors such as excessive drug use, extreme Stress, ultraviolet light, and infections. This disorder can appear at any age and amongst any race, however American Indians, African Americans, and Asians are more prone to develop lupus.
Like all any other illnesses or diseases, prevention is always essential to avoid developing the symptoms and complications. Living a healthy lifestyle and well-being like eating a well balanced diet, proper exercise and avoiding bad habits like smoking and drinking can prevent or reduce the risk of developing lupus or any other illness or disease for that matter.