Systemic lupus is an autoimmune disease with no known cause or cure

A person is naturally equipped with anti-bodies that attack harmful intrusions within the body. Within the body of a person who has Systemic lupus, the anti-bodies for unknown reasons also attack and damage healthy, productive cells and tissue.

More women have Systemic lupus than men do, with symptoms that affect a wide range of a person’s body including organs, joints, and skin.

Flare-up

Symptoms often come and go with no predictable pattern, referred to as a ‘flare-up’. A ‘flare-up’ happens because of numerous factors, but the common factor among many people includes direct sun light exposure.

Diagnosis

Systemic lupus is one of the most difficult disorders to diagnose, and people with Systemic lupus often suffer for several years experiencing numerous misdiagnoses including severe fatigue or depression.

Skin rash

A skin rash often appears on a person’s face consisting of tiny, painless red dots that spread along the nose, cheeks, and around the eyes forming the pattern of a butterfly or a wolf’s face.

Joint pain

A person with Systemic lupus experiences arthritis-type pain in their joints, fingers, knees, feet, arms, wrists, and hands which often become completely stiff and swollen. The fingertips often lack cold temperature sensitivity and may even appear pale or purple.

Organ damage

Several organs are often attacked during a ‘flare-up’ increasing the possibility of causing irreversible damage even death. The kidneys become unable to process and remove excess waste. Damage to the lungs causes severe chest pain while breathing. People with Systemic lupus are also at a high risk of developing heart conditions that may lead to a heart attack.

Treatment

Once a person is diagnosed with Systemic lupus, treatment is designed to reduce or prevent ‘flare-ups’ and organ and tissue damage.  

Copyright © 2014, John Mallozzi