This condition occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues causing inflammation, swelling and pain.
The inflammation caused by lupus affects many different parts of your body systems which include your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.
Lupus is difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments.
A facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly on your cheeks is the most noticeable sign of lupus which occurs in many but not all cases of lupus.
Lupus can be triggered by infections, drugs allergy or even sunlight, some people are born with a tendency toward developing lupus.
Lupus is not contagious but hereditary. It is beneficial that you check your family health information.
There is no non cure for lupus but treatments can help control symptoms.
Symptoms
No two cases of lupus are the same.
Signs and symptoms of lupus can be varied, it can come suddenly or develop slowly, it can be mild or severe and it can be temporary or permanent.
Most lupus is mild as it can be characterized by episodes or flares.
The signs and symptoms will get worse initially, then improve or even disappear completely for some time.
The signs and symptoms will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease.
The most common signs and symptoms are,
* Fatigue and fever
* Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
* Butterfly-shaped rash on your face that covers your
cheeks and the bridge of your nose
* Appearance of skin lesions and may worsen when
expose to sun light
* Your fingers and toes turn white or blue when
exposed to cold or during stressful periods a
condition known as Raynaud's phenomenon
* Shortness of breath
* Chest pain
* Dry eyes
* Headaches, confusion and memory loss
Causes
Lupus happens when your immune system attacks the healthy tissue in your body.
It may be the results from a combination of your genes and the environment.
It is found that those who inherited predisposition for lupus may develop the disease when they come into contact with certain element in the environment that triggers lupus.
Most cases of lupus are unknown and some possible triggers might include:
* Sunlight
Exposure to the sun may bring about lupus skin lesions or triggers an internal response in susceptible people.
* Medications
Certain types of anti-seizure medications, blood pressure medications and antibiotics can triggers lupus.
In drug-induced lupus usually the symptoms will go away when you stop taking the medication.
Risk factors
Factors that increase your risk of lupus are:
* Your sex - Lupus is more common in women.
* Age - Although lupus affects people of all ages but
most often lupus affect male between the
ages of 18 and 40.
* Race - Lupus is more common in African Americans,
Hispanics and Asians.
90 percent or the majorities of people with lupus are female, but if you’re a man and has been diagnosed with lupus, the numbers does not really matter.
Your lupus is just as difficult to live with as in woman.
Posted by: Mo Salle
Read Related Articles:
• Men And Lupus
• When Men Have Lupus - WebMD Video
• How Lupus Differs in Men
Books You Can Buy And Read:
 | The Lupus Book: A Guide For Patients And Their Families |
 | Lupus Q + A |
T-Shirt You Can Buy:
 | Lupus SUCKS Organic Men's T-Shirt by CafePress |
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