living with lupus

Living With Lupus

Looks Can Be Deceiving

Lupus Awareness is part of the campaign to inform the public about Lupus and the

effects the disease has on those who are diagnosed and their loved ones. You can find

out more by visiting http://www.lupus.org/action/lupus-awareness

Copyright: All rights reserved by Machelle Williams @ chaoticmoments.com

Lupus is an unpredictable, chronic autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body.

Body, Mind, and Soul

An estimated 1.5 Million Americans and 5 million people worldwide are living with

Lupus.

Lupus has many piggyback illness such as Fibromyalgia, Sjogren’s

Syndrome, Raynaud's Disease and Systemic Vasculitis

Be Patient

Lupus causes the part of the immune

system that fights off viruses, bacteria,

and germs to overreact.

The result is the production

of autoantibodies that cause

inflammation and pain.

Don’t Assume

Ninety percent of Lupus carriers are women, though

men can also develop Lupus.

Men often have more

severe symptoms which

can greatly affect daily

living.

Generally Lupus develops

Between ages 15 and 44.

Be Informed

There are between 10 and 20 percent of cases which develop

during childhood.

Be Open mindedCaucasians, are

75% less likely to get Lupus than

other races yet it is possible for anyone

to have Lupus.

A doctor must diagnose Lupus by

investigating the patient’s

symptoms, lab results and medical

history which includes a family

history.

Ask your Family Practitioner for more information.

Lupus is not contagious so it cannot be “given”

to another person.

Be Understandi

ng

Lupus can affect any organ system of

the body. The malar or “butterfly” rash

on the face is present in around one-

third of the people with Lupus.

Lupus is not a form of Arthritis, but many people with Lupus suffer from

joint and/or muscle pain.

Be Courageous

Women with Lupus who are pregnant are considered “high

risk” however nearly 80 percent of the pregnancies end

in successful births.

First degree relatives of people with Lupus

have six times the risk of developing

the disease.

Don’t JudgeNearly three in four people with Lupus said fatigue

limits their ability to participate in social activities.

Nearly seventy-four percent of caregivers report

that caring for someone with Lupus has an impact

on the work productivity.

People with Lupus have two times the risk of developing cardiovascular disease

than those without Lupus. People who have Lupus which affects the skin, poor

mental health is common.

Don’t Question

Lupus flares are triggered by infections, ultraviolet light, stress, medications, and environmental factors.

Sunlight sensitivity can cause fever,

debilitating fatigue, joint pain, rashes

and other symptoms.

Be Supportive People with Lupus are encouraged to exercise daily to maintain muscle and bone strength, but because fatigue is the main symptom of Lupus they must balance activity with proper rest.

.

People undergoing treatment for Lupus can be taking on average nearly eight prescriptions with various and often

serious side effects.

More than half of the people with Lupus have limited work abilities, they either work intermittently or they are unemployed.

Don’t misunderstand

Lupus Flare effects over twenty-three percent of

the people diagnosed with the disease and nearly

forty percent of those are admitted to the hospital

with an average stay of 10.5 days.

As much as forty percent of adults and sixty-six percent of children with Lupus develop kidney complications. About half of all those with Lupus will get a

serious or life-threatening infection.

Be Caring

People with Lupus often develop memory and cognitive problems often referred to as

“Lupus Fog”.

Be Exceptio

nal

Credits to: www.lupus.org www.pexels.com