Lupus is a disease that affects the autoimmune system, which is the body's own immune system attacking itself, its own tissues instead of fighting diseases, viruses and bacteria invading the body. Lupus causes inflammation in the tissue, the joints, and even the organs. The pain resides where the inflammation and swelling are. Severe lupus will cause problems with the kidneys, the heart, lungs, blood system, nervous system, this is a disease that can threaten the life of the patient.
Most patients will suffer mild symptoms, but this is a disease that will last a lifetime and become very severe. Most patients are able to control the symptoms and prevent the damage from spreading to their organs. They do this with regular checkups with their doctor, getting plenty of rest as well as exercise and taking medications prescribed for them.
There are five types of lupus. What is lupus erythematosus? This it the most common type of lupus as well as the most serious type. The other four types are cutaneous or discoid lupus, drug induced systemic lupus, subacute cutaneous lupus and neonatal lupus.
What is lupus caused by? The answer to this question is not yet know. Researchers and doctors believe that there are some that are born with certain genetics affecting the immune system and how it works. Some other factors that seem to trigger lupus are some viral infection such as virus that cause mononucleosis, and sunlight seems to be another trigger factor.
Symptoms of lupus can vary and they may also come and go. Lupus is a disease that has times of relapse and remission. When it comes back, it is called a flare. Lupus, even though it will come and go, there is always remaining symptoms to some degree.
Some of the most common symptoms are fatigue and joint pain. The symptoms are like arthritis in the joints, there is usually a fever and a skin rash. The skin rash is irritated when exposed to the sun. There are commonly mouth sores and some hair loss. Over time, there may be damage to the heart, the kidneys, lungs, blood cells and/or the nervous system.
