How to Decide If You Have Lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE or lupus, as it is commonly called, is a chronic and often times debiladating autoimmune desease. This is a disease that needs to be officially diagnosed and treated by medical professionals but it usually takes the patient's keen eye to realize what is happening to his/her own body.

First, you need to know what lupus is before you begin to learn the symptoms. As stated earlier, lupus is chronic, often debilitating and sometimes fatal. It usually strikes women (although men have also contracted it) in their childbearing years. But it has been known to strike women as late as their 50's and 60's.

SLE can attack any part of the body but does the most damage to the heart, kidneys, skin, joints, blood vessels, liver and the nervous system. In short, lupus sends signals to your body's defense system to attack healthy tissue. This disease attacks without prejudice. It is unpredictable and the attacks, which are referred to as flares, can alternate with periods of remission. Each time a person may have a 'flare', the symptoms may be totally different. This may be anything from hair loss to hair gain(in body areas that did not have that amount of hair previously), inability to walk due to severe joint pain, extreme mood swings, and weight gain or loss.

Some information pamphlets state that the majority of women who acquire this illness are of non-European descent. But I have found that this isn't necessarily accurate. I have been a victim of SLE for over 20 years and, during this time, have belonged to over 15 support groups both in Europe and the United States. I have rarely come across a woman of non-European descent with SLE. This disease does not discriminate.

Types.

There are different types of lupus. The word 'lupus' is usually referred to when speaking about SLE. But there are others when investigating this disease.

Drug Induced Lupus erythematosus- this is exactly what it states as being induced by drugs, both illegal and legal. Birth control pills have been known to induce this type of lupus. It can affect both men and women.

Lupus nephritis- inflammation of the kidneys caused by SLE

Discoid lupus erythematosus- this is the second most common form of lupus. It is a skin disorder that causes red and raised rashes on the face, scalp or rest of the body that can develop into SLE. Many people will have DLE and not acquire the SLE however.

Subcutaneous lupus erythematosus- this form causes non-scarring skin lesions on patches of skin exposed to sunlight.

Neonatal lupus- this is a rare form of lupus that affects babies born to women with SLE, Sjogren's syndrome or in some cases no autoimmune disorder. It is theorized that maternal antibodies attack the fetus, causing skin rash, liver problems, low blood counts (which gradually fade) and heart block leading to bradycardia.

Signs and Symptoms.

Lupus has been referred as 'The Great Imitator' since it's symptoms often mimic other diseases. A person can go years being misdiagnosed and therefore his/her Lupus goes untreated. But common and initial complaints are as follows:

Malaise

Joint Pain

Fever(with no other symptoms such a cold)

Fatique

Myalgias

There are also other symptoms that need immediate medical attention:

Skin rash especially a butterfly-shaped rash that appears on the face. Although 30% of the patients have been known to acquire a raised, red rash that doesn't have the classic butterfly shape.

Alopeica(loss of hair especially from the scalp)

Mouth, nasal and vaginal ulcers

Lesions on the skin

Joint pain usually in the hands and wrists.

Anemia and iron deficiency. Low platelet and white blood cell counts may be due to the disease or a side-effect of drug treatment.

Inflammation of certain parts of the heart such as pericarditis, myocarditis and endocarditis. Atherosclerosis has a tendency to appear more often and be more advanced in SLE patients.

Lung problems such as leuritis, pleural effusion, and other pulmonary diseases may appear.

Renal problems such as protien in the urine may develop. Due to early recognition and management of SLE, end stage renal failure occurs in less than 5% of patients.

Strong sensitivity to sunlight causing whelps, larger-than-normal skin blisters and fever.

Causes

So what are the causes of lupus? Even though research has found many answers, that is still the one that has not been discovered. After all, if the professionals knew what caused it then they could cure it. But there are some things medical science has obtained through the years.

Genetics.It has been proven that there is a genetic link. Lupus seems to run in families and the first thing your doctor or specialist will ask you when they have discovered that you have a form of lupus is for your extended family history. However, a single lupus gene has not been discovered. Various genes seem to strengthen the chance for a person to acquire lupus. But the chromosome 6 which has been found to randomly create mutations or inheritanted traits is also where rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis has been formed.

Environmental Triggers. It has been discovered that not only do environmental triggers exacerbate existing lupus conditions but it may trigger the initial onset. This may include medications such as antidepressants, extreme stress, sunlight exposure, hormones, and infections.

Drug Reactions. The reversible conidtion of drug-induced lupus erythematous usuually occurs while being treated for a long illness. This type of lupus mimis SLE but the symptoms of the drug-induced variety usually disappears once the medication that created the problem is removed from the patient's treatment. However there are over 400 medications on the market today that can cause this condition, such as, procainamid and quinidine.

If you feel that you have any of these symptoms, please get yourself to a medical professional and quickly. Any form of lupus is not something to take lightly and needs not only medical supervision but a treatment plan of medications. Lupus can be deadly if not treated but can be manageable when taking the right steps with a knowledgable physician. Lifestyle changes will have to be made in order for a lupus patient to live a long and happy life. And it is possibly to obtain that.

SOURCES:

"Living With Lupus" by Marietta Abrams Bill

"Lupus Q+A" by Robert Lahita

"The Lupus Book: A Guide to Patients and thier Families" by Daniel Wallace