Lupus is an autoimmune disease, in which your immune system attacks the healthy tissues in your body. Your immune system generally helps your body get rid of infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or toxins.
However, if it attacks your healthy tissues, your body may suffer pain and inflammation in different parts such as your skin, joints, and blood cells. It can also cause damage to your heart, kidney, or brain.
Causes of Lupus
Even though the reason hasn’t been discovered yet, studies have shown that there are multiple factors due to which you may suffer from it.
1) Genes:
Researchers have reported that much like other diseases, you have a high chance of developing it if a family member also has lupus or some other autoimmune disease. However, it can happen to people even if there are no cases in their family.
2) Hormones:
Women are known to be at a higher risk of developing it, as they produce a sex hormone called estrogen. This theory was supported by the reports of women experiencing symptoms of lupus during times when they are likely to produce higher levels of estrogen, e.g., during pregnancy or menstruation.
3) Environmental factors:
Many external factors can increase your chances of developing it. Intense or long exposure to sun radiation, air pollution, or even prolonged stress can play a role in its development.
Symptoms of Lupus
Not everyone experiences the same symptoms. You may suffer flare-ups of certain symptoms from time to time. However, once the flare-up has passed, you may not feel any symptoms at all. Another person may experience entirely different symptoms. Here is a list of general symptoms:
- Muscle and/or joint pain
- Arthritis
- Constantly feeling tired
- Weakness
- Sunlight sensitivity
- Fever
- Blood clots
- Inflamed glands
- Pain in the chest when you breathe deeply
- Frequent headaches
- Issues in remembering things
- Mouth ulcers
- Rashes across the nose, cheeks, and forehead in the shape of a butterfly, also known as a Malar rash
- Anemia
- Abnormal hair loss
- Cold fingers or toes with a pale or purplish appearance
Types of Lupus
You can get to know about the various types here:
1) Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
SLE is the most common and the most intense type of lupus. This is because SLE causes inflammation in different parts of the body such as the joints, kidneys, brain, or heart. With SLE, you may experience flare-ups, that can be frequent or may not appear for several years. Some people may experience the symptoms for longer durations.
2) Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE):
With CLE, you may develop skin issues such as Malar rashes or may suffer from unusual hair loss. You may also become sensitive to sunlight.
3) Neonatal lupus:
If a mother suffered from it during pregnancy or is susceptible to it, she may have passed down antibodies to the child. Therefore, some infants develop it. However, it is not given that if you have lupus, so will your child.
4) Drug-induced Lupus:
This type occurs due to the consumption of certain medications. Lupus caused by medications may go away once you stop taking them. The symptoms might be similar to that of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Treatments of Lupus
Currently, there is no cure. However, certain medications can help control the intensity of the disease. Furthermore, medication can help prevent the disease from damaging your organs.
Due to the wide variety of symptoms, it can take a long time to diagnose lupus. If you are experiencing any symptoms of lupus, please reach out to your healthcare provider.
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