What Causes Lupus?

The cause of lupus is unknown. However, there appears to be something that triggers the immune system to attack various areas of the body. That's why suppressing the immune system is one of the main forms of treatment. Finding the cause is the object of major research efforts.

Factors that may contribute to the development of lupus include viruses, environmental chemicals and a person's genetic makeup.

Female hormones are believed to play a role in the development of lupus because women are affected by lupus much more often than men. This is especially true of women during their reproductive years, a time when hormone levels are highest.

The observation that lupus may affect more than one member of the same family has raised the possibility that the tendency to develop lupus may be inherited. Having such a tendency, however, does not predict that a relative will develop lupus. Only about 10% of people with lupus have a close relative with the disease.

Drug-induced lupus can occur after the use of some prescription medications (such as hydralazine and procainamide). These symptoms generally improve after the drug is discontinued.(Source-webmd.com)

What Problems Can People With Lupus Have?

Many people with active lupus feel ill in general and complain of fever, weight loss, and fatigue. People with lupus also develop specific problems when the immune system attacks a particular organ or area in the body. The following areas of the body can be affected by lupus:

• Skin . Skin problems are a common feature of lupus. Some people with lupus have a red rash over their cheeks and the bridge of their nose -- called a "butterfly" or malar rash. Hair loss and mouth sores are also common. One particular type of lupus that generally affects only the skin is called "discoid lupus." With this type of lupus, the skin problems consist of large red, circular rashes that may scar. Skin rashes are usually aggravated by sunlight. A common lupus rash called subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus is often worse after exposure to the sun. This type of rash can affect the arms, legs, and torso. An uncommon but serious form of lupus rash results in the development of large blisters and is called a "bullous" lupus rash.
  
  
  
  
  Lupus Sri Lanka Group

• Joints. Arthritis is very common in people with lupus. There may be pain, with or without swelling. Stiffness and pain may be particularly evident in the morning. Arthritis may be a problem for only a few days or weeks, or may be a permanent feature of the disease. Fortunately, the arthritis usually is not crippling.
  
  Lupus Sri Lanka Group

•  Kidneys. Kidney involvement in people with lupus can be life threatening and may occur in up to half of those with lupus. Kidney problems are more common when someone also has other lupus symptoms, such as fatigue, arthritis, rash, fever, and weight loss. Less often, kidney disease may occur when there are no other symptoms of lupus.

•  Blood. Blood involvement can occur with or without other symptoms. People with lupus may have dangerous reductions in the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets (particles that help clot the blood). Sometimes, changes in blood counts (low red cell count, or anemia), may cause fatigue, serious infections (low white cell count), or easy bruising or bleeding (low platelet count). Many patients do not have symptoms from low blood counts, however, so it is important for people with lupus to have periodic blood tests in order to detect any problems. Blood clots are more common in people with lupus. Clots often occur in the legs (called deep venous thrombosis or DVT) and lungs (called pulmonary embolus or PE) and occasionally in the brain (stroke). Blood clots that develop in lupus patients may be associated with the production of antiphospholipid (APL) antibodies. These antibodies are abnormal proteins that may increase the tendency of the blood to clot. Blood can be tested for these antibodies.

• Brain and Spinal Cord. Brain involvement is, fortunately, a rare problem in people with lupus. When present, it may cause confusion, depression, seizures, and, rarely, strokes. Involvement of the spinal cord (transverse myelitis) can cause numbness and weakness.

• Heart and Lungs. Heart and lung involvement often is caused by inflammation of the covering of the heart (pericardium) and lungs (pleura). When these structures become inflamed, patients may develop chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and accumulation of fluid around the lungs (pleuritis or pleurisy) and heart (pericarditis). The heart valves and the lung itself can also be affected by lupus, resulting in shortness of breath.(source:webmd.com)

Also people with lupus may have to face some social problems; they are apparently perfectly fine, although they are in a pain and finding difficulty to get their day to day work done. Relationships may restricted. They will have restrictions to their social affairs.This may lead them some psychological problems.   

What are the symptoms of lupus?

Since no two cases of lupus are exactly alike, there is a wide range of symptoms that are known to affect many parts of the body. Sometimes symptoms develop slowly or appear suddenly; they can be mild, severe, temporary, or permanent. Most people with lupus experience symptoms in only a few organs, but more serious cases can lead to problems with kidneys, the heart, the lungs, blood, or the nervous system. 

Lupus episodes, or flares, are usually noted by a worsening of some of the following symptoms: 

• Achy joints (arthralgia), arthritis, and swollen joints, especially in wrists, small joints of the hands, elbows, knees, and ankles
• Swelling of the hands and feet due to kidney problems
• Fever of more than 100 degrees F (38 degrees C)
• Prolonged or extreme fatigue
• Skin lesions or rashes, especially on the arms, hands, face, neck, or back
• Butterfly-shaped rash (malar rash) across the cheeks and nose
• Anemia (oxygen carrying deficiency of red blood cells)
• Pain in the chest on deep breathing or shortness of breath
• Sun or light sensitivity (photosensitivity)
• Hair loss or alopecia
• Abnormal blood clotting problems
• Raynaud's phenomenon: fingers turn white and/or blue or red in the cold
• Seizures
• Mouth or nose ulcers
• Weight loss or gain
• Dry eyes
• Easy bruising
• Anxiety, depression, headaches, and memory loss

Know Lupus Better….

Lupus Sri Lanka blog has been created to elevate awareness of the public what lupus is……???

 It would be a great social support to people who are suffering from this invisible disease. This is really a painful disease but people know nothing and don’t understand what this really is….. Lupus is a complex and poorly understood condition that affects many parts of the body and causes symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening.

Lupus patients’ appearance is more or less normal and they suffer invisibly. So that people not know how hardly they get on with their day to day lives. Having lupus can make the burdens of everyday life exciting. When lupus is active, symptoms of joint stiffness, pain, extreme fatigue, confusion, or depression can make even simple tasks difficult, and sometimes impossible. And, because lupus patients may not have any visible signs of disease, the people around, may not realize how much suffering and pain they are experiencing, or may not know that they are sick at all.

Lupus will obviously change the whole life of those patients. Friendships can be restricted. Lupus may affect their jobs. Never wonder if they requested for make changes in their work environment, Flexible work hours or job-sharing. Better understanding what Lupus is will make their lives comfortable, relaxed and contented. Your better half, sibling, cousin, colleague or your friend may have lupus. Please identify and be tolerant with them.

Let’s make the awareness of the public what Lupus is…????

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