Lupus is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system turns on and attacks the body’s organs, tissues and joints. It can attack any part of the body. It causes inflammation, swelling and pain, as well as potential damage to the organs.
There are three types of lupus.
- Discoid lupus attacks the skin.
- Systemic lupus attacks the skin, joints, blood, organs and nervous system.
- Drug-induced lupus can occur after taking prescription medicine, but the symptoms do not generally persist for over six months after the medication is stopped. This type of lupus does not attack the kidneys and nervous system. Drugs which may cause drug-induced lupus include Procainamide (heart rhythm abnormalities), Hydralazine (high blood pressure), Isoniazid (tuberculosis), Quinidine (heart rhythm abnormalities), Phenytoin (seizures). These drugs must be taken for months or years for drug-induced lupus to take hold.
It is not entirely obvious what causes lupus, but it is though that hormonal imbalances, viral infections, sunlight and ultra-violet light, and stress may play a part in its development. Lupus is more common in ethnic groups, particularly Caucasian, African- American and Latino groups.
The symptoms include fatigue, hair loss, flu-like symptoms, rashes (especially on the cheeks and nose), kidney trouble, pain in the joints and muscles, inflammation in the brain, and headaches. Symptoms vary from patient to patient.
It can detected by a blood test and if detected early, it can be restrained and will sometimes go away. Treatment is normally via corticosteroids and anti-malarial drugs. Drugs which suppress the immune system are administered if kidney and brain problems are present.
At the moment, there is no specific cure for lupus, but research is being carried out throughout the world. In the past, lupus tended to be fatal, but nowadays it is far less likely, unless the sufferer has kidney failure or irreversible infection.
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