Emilie Rinaldi

Lupus

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body.

In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system.

Autoimmune means that your immune system cannot tell the difference between viruses, bacteria, and germs from the proteins that our immune system creates.

Description

Many scientists believe that lupus is developed in response to a combination of factors both inside and outside the body, including hormones, genetics, and environment.

Scientists think that there is a link between the production of estrogen and the presence of lupus because 9 out of 10 occurrences of lupus are in women.

Lupus appears in certain families and certain genes have been identified as contributing to the development of lupus.

Researchers think that if you are an individual that is susceptible to lupus, that a natural virus or chemical could trigger the disease.

Some environmental triggers include: Ultraviolent sun rays, ultraviolent rays from fluorescent light bulbs, antibiotic drugs, infection, cold or a viral illness, or any stress to the body.

Causes

Extreme fatigue (tiredness)

Headaches

Painful or swollen joints

Fever

Anemia (low numbers of red blood cells or hemoglobin, or low total blood volume)

Swelling (edema) in feet, legs, hands, and/or around eyes

Symptoms

Lupus cannot be prevented.

Prevention

No cure for Lupus

Treatment medications include: • Corticosteroids, including prednisone, prednisolone,

methylprednisolone, and hydrocortisone

• Antimalarials, such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil®) and chloroquine

• The monoclonal antibody belimumab (Benlysta®)

• Aspirin

Treatments/Cures

www.lupus.org

Bibliography