Lupus Disease

So in this article of My Health Only, we are going to tell you about the symptoms of lupus, by knowing lupus disease, you will be able to treat it as soon as possible.

What is lupus?

Lupus is a long-lived inflammatory and irritation diseases that occurs when your body’s immune system begins to damage your tissues and organs. The inflammation and irritation caused by lupus can affect many different systems of the body. This includes joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs etc.

Lupus can be difficult to diagnose, as its symptoms and signs often look like many other diseases. A special symptom of this is the formation of red and white shingles on the cheeks on both sides of the face, which form the shape of butterfly wings. It appears in many cases of lupus but not in all cases.

Some people have a susceptibility to lupus in their body right from birth, which can begin with some medications, infection and even sunlight. There is currently no cure for lupus, but some treatments can help control its symptoms.

Lupus is called Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or simply SLE.

Symptoms of Lupus –

What are the symptoms of lupus?

Its symptoms cannot be the same in two people. Its signs and symptoms may develop suddenly or gradually. These symptoms can also be benign or severe, which develop in the body permanently or temporarily. Most people with lupus who have benign symptoms of lupus can be divided into classes. And they are also called flair. Which means, when its signs and symptoms get worse for some time, they improve for some time, even at times they disappear completely.

The signs and symptoms of lupus depend on which system of your body is affected by this disease. The most common symptoms and signs include:

• Butterfly wings shaped stain on the face, covering both the cheeks of the face and the upper part of the nose.
• Skin lesions that become worse with exposure to sunlight (photosensitivity)
• Hands and toes turn blue or white during stressful periods or during exposure to cold.
• Fatigue and fever
• Chest pain (angina)
• Dry eyes
• Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
• Difficulty breathing
• Headache, confusion or weak memory

When to see a doctor:

If your body develops unexplained stains or feels fever, constant pain and fatigue, then a doctor should be seen.

Causes of Lupus –

How does lupus develop?

Lupus develops when your immune system damages your tissues. By probability, lupus may also result from a combination of genetics and environment. It seems that people who have inherited the condition of lupus can also develop this disease. This happens when they come into contact with something in the environment that can trigger lupus. In most cases the cause of lupus is often unknown, the following may include some possible triggers.

• Sunlight – Lupus and sores can also occur on the skin due to exposure to sunlight. Sunlight triggers inward reactions in some susceptible people.

• Infections – Infections can also cause lupus to develop, in some people the infection can also cause lupus to develop again.

• Medication – Lupus can also be caused by certain types of anti-seizures, antibiotics and blood pressure medications. People who have had lupus due to medications usually stop or stop taking those symptoms.

When does the risk of lupus increase?

Some factors that increase the risk of lupus may include the following factors.

Gender – Lupus is very common in women.

Age – Although lupus can affect people of all types of ages, but people between the ages of 15 and 40 years are most at risk.

Diagnosis of Lupus –

How is Lupus Diagnosed?

Blood and urine tests are also included in its diagnosis,

• Complete blood count:

This test measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, as well as the amount of hemoglobin. The results of this test may indicate that you have anemia, which usually results in lupus. Deficiency in white blood cells or platelets also often results in lupus.

• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate:

In this test, the rate is determined by how many white blood cells are staying down in the tube in an hour. Higher than normal rates may indicate a disease like lupus. The sedimentation rate is not specific to any one disease. If you have lupus, swelling and burning conditions, cancer or infection then its rate increases than normal.

• Kidney and liver assessment:

How well your kidneys and liver are working, it can also be detected by a blood test. Because in lupus, these organs are affected.

• Urinalysis:

A urine sample is examined in this test. In which the increase in protein level or red blood cells in urine is investigated. Because these problems occur when lupus affects the kidneys.

• Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test:

A test can be done to check for the presence of antibodies produced by your immune system, which indicate a stimulated immune system. Most people who have lupus undergo an ANA test. However, most people who have ANA often do not get lupus. If your test for ANA comes back positive, your doctor may also recommend taking other specific tests.

• Imaging Test:

If the doctor suspects that lupus is affecting the lungs or heart, they may suggest the following tests.

• Chest X-ray:

An image of the chest X-ray can be seen as an abnormal shadow, which may indicate swelling and fluid accumulation in the lungs.

• Echocardiogram:

In this test, sound waves are used to show real-time pictures of your heartbeat. It can check for problems associated with your heart valve and other parts of the heart.

• Biopsy:

Lupus can cause damage to the kidneys in many different ways, and its different treatments depend on its damage. In some cases, a small sample of the kidney is also tested to find out the best treatment. The sample is removed with the help of a needle or by making a small incision.

Treatment of Lupus –

Treatment of lupus depends on your signs and symptoms. Determine if the treatment is being done according to your signs and symptoms and before using the medicines, it is necessary to talk to the doctor regarding its benefits and risks. As soon as your symptoms are more or less high, doctors come to know that you need to change medicines or dosage. The most common medications to control lupus include.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines:

These medicines are also called NSAIDs, over-the-counter (without doctor’s suggestion) medicines such as naproxen sodium and ibuprofen, etc. They are used for pain, swelling and fever associated with lupus. Treatment can be done. Powerful medicines of NSAIDs are available on prescription (written by a doctor). Side effects of NSAIDs which include bleeding in the stomach, kidney problems and increased risk of heart diseases, etc.

• Antimalarial medicines:

Medications commonly used for the treatment of malaria such as hydroxychloroquine also help control lupus. Its side effects include stomach problems and in very rare cases it can damage the retina of the eye.

• Corticosteroids:

Prednisone and other types of corticosteroid medicines resist inflammation and inflammation caused by lupus. But the side effects of this medicine are prolonged, such as weight gain (obesity), thinning of bones (osteoporosis) and high blood pressure (high BP) diabetes, and increased risk of infection. The risk of its side effects often increases with higher doses or prolonged medication.

• Immunosuppressants:

These medicines suppress the immune system, and may be helpful in severe cases of lupus. Its possible side effects include liver damage, decreased fertility, increased risk of cancer and other infections.

Complications of Lupus –

What complications can occur in lupus

Burning and swelling in lupus can affect many organs of the body, including:

• Kidneys:

Lupus can severely damage the kidneys, with most cases of kidney failure occurring in people who die during lupus. Symptoms and signs associated with kidney problems including general itching, nausea and vomiting, chest pain and leg swelling (edema) etc.

• Brain and central nervous system:

When the brain is affected by lupus, problems such as headaches, dizziness, behavioral changes, hallucinations, and even strokes or heart attacks begin. Lupus can cause some people to have memory problems, which they find difficult to express their thoughts.

• Blood and blood vessels:

Blood problems also arise in lupus, there is an increased risk of anemia and bleeding or blood clotting. It can also cause inflammation and irritation in the blood vessels (vasculitis).

• Lungs:

Due to lupus, the chances of swelling and burning in the cavity lining of the chest increases, which causes pain in breathing. People in lupus also become susceptible to pneumonia.

• Heart:

Lupus can also cause inflammation and irritation in your heart muscles, arteries and membranes. The risk of heart related diseases and heart attacks also increases significantly in lupus.

Other types of complications:

• Infection:

People with lupus become susceptible to infection, as both lupus treatment and lupus weaken the immune system. Some infections that mostly affect people with lupus include urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, yeast infections, salmonella and herpes.

Cancer:

Lupus also increases the risk of cancer.

Bone tissue death (avascular necrosis):

This happens when the blood supply to the bones decreases. Often, there is a small fracture in the bones, and eventually the bone is destroyed. In this, the joints of the buttocks are most affected.

• Pregnancy complications:

Women with lupus have an increased risk of miscarriage. Lupus during pregnancy increases the risk of high blood pressure and pterm birth (giving birth to a premature baby). To reduce these complications, doctors may recommend not to conceive unless symptoms of the disease are controlled for at least 6 months.