Health Blurbs

Lupus is an autoimmune disease wherein your body’s immune system goes out of control and attacks healthy tissues, instead of germs. This disease can affect many parts of the body or only a couple.

Everyone reacts differently and normally all the possible symptoms are not suffered in one person. Lupus seems to run in families, which suggests the disease may be hereditary.

What causes lupus is unknown and there is no cure. However, lupus can ususally be managed. Most cases of lupus are found in women, and African American women are three times more likely to get it than white women.

There are three main types of lupus:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus ~ most common involving many parts of the body such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain.
• Discoid lupus erythematosus ~ mainly affects the skin with a red rash, or the skin color change on the face, scalp, elsewhere.
• Drug-induced lupus ~ triggered by a few medicines, such as heart condition drugs which are more common in men.

Lupus may be difficult to diagnose, as it’s often mistaken for other diseases. Common symptoms of lupus are:

• swollen glands
• low blood count
• unexplained fever
• sensitivity to the sun
• painful or swollen joints
• chest pain with deep breathing
• unusual hair loss ~ mainly the scalp
• extreme fatigue ~ feeling tired all the time
• pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress
• depression, trouble thinking, and/or memory problems
• red rash or color change on the face, often in the shape of a butterfly across the nose and cheeks

Other signs include:

• mouth sores
• repeated miscarriages
• unexplained kidney problems
• “seeing things” (hallucinations)
• unexplained seizures (convulsions)

When rash, fatigue, joint and gland swelling symptoms appear, it’s called a “flare.” Learning to recognize when a flare is coming on helps you take steps in flare prevention.

Healthy helpful steps to prevent lupus rash, fatigue, joint and gland swelling flares include:

• maintain a healthy diet
• get enough rest and quiet
• pay attention to your body
• moderately exercise when possible
• limit the time you spend in the sun
• develop coping skills to help limit stress
• learn to recognize when a flare is coming
• slow down or stop before you get too tired
• learn to pace yourself by spreading out work and other activities

People with lupus have limited energy and must manage it wisely.  Don’t blame yourself for your fatigue ~ it’s part of the disease

Your doctor may have additional healthy lifestyle adjustments you need to make.

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