Lupus

What is Lupus? Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints blood, kidneys. The body's immune system normally makes proteins called antibodies to protect the body against viruses, bacteria, and other foreign materials. These foreign materials are called antigens. In an outoimmune disorder such as lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell the difference between foreign subtances (antigens) and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies; directed against "self" these antibodies, called "auto-antibodies", react with the "self" antigens to form immune complex. The immune complexes build up in the tissues and can cause inflammation, injury to tissues, and pain. For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs, but for others, it may cause serious and even life threatening problems. More than 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year. It is estimated that 500,000 to 1.5 million americans have been diagnosed with lupus. Lupus is a disease that develops slowly. Symptoms come and go and often seem to suggest other diseases, there is also no simple diagnostic test for lupus. Types of lupus There are three types of lupus: discoid, systemic, and drug induced. Discoid (cutaneous) lupis is always limited to the skin it is identified by a rash that may appear on the face, neck and scalp. Systematic lupus is usually more severe than Discoid Lupus, and can affect almost any organ or system of the body, for some people, only the skin and joints will be involved. In others, the joints, lungs, kidneys, blood, or other organs and/or tissues may be affected. Drug-induced lupus occurs after the use of certain prescribed drugs. The symptoms of induced lupus are similar to those of systemic lupus; the drugs commonly connected with drug induced lupus are hydrolyzing (used to treat high blood pressure or hyper tension) and pro cainamide (used to treat irregular heat rhythms). Cause The cause(s) of lupus in unknown, but environmental and genetic factors are involved. While scientists believe there is genetic predisposition to the disease, it is known that environmental factors also play a critical role in triggering lupus. Some of the environmental factors that may trigger the disease are: infections, antibiotics (especially those in the sulfa and penicillin groups), ultraviolet light, extreme stress, certain drugs, and hormones. Treatments Medications are often prescribed for people with lupus, depending on which organs are involved, and the severity of involvement. Effective patient- physician discussions regarding the selection of medication, its possible side effects, and any changes in dudes are vital. Commonly prescribed medications include: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): these medications are prescribed for variety of rheumatic diseases, including lupus. Acetaminophen: Acetaminophen is a mild analgesic that can often be used for plain, Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids (steroids) are hormones that have anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties.