What is

LUPUS ?

 

 

WHAT IS LUPUS ?        ........ jump to     Triggers Of LUPUS    |    Symptoms Of  LUPUS

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) is a presently incurable illness of the immune system, a condition in which the body’s defence mechanism begins to attack itself through an excess of antibodies in the blood stream causing inflammation and damage in the joints, muscles and other organs. 

Discoid Lupus is usually a condition of the skin alone although the joints can also often be affected. A very few patients may go on to develop systemic Lupus.

Lupus may be triggered by various means and can present in a bewildering number of ways, even to the extent of mimicking other illness such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Multiple Sclerosis.

The cause of Lupus is not positively known though research has provided evidence implicating heredity, hormones and infections including viruses.

The majority of Lupus patients are young women of childbearing age (15-55) but men and even young children can be affected. It is estimated that 1 in 750 women suffer from Lupus in the UK with the ratio of women to men being 9:1. Lupus is a worldwide disease more common in some races than others. The incidence in white women is 1 in 1000 compared with that in black women of 1 in 250 and Asian races also have a higher tendency to Lupus. Only 10% of Lupus patients are male.

With its many symptoms, Lupus can often be overlooked by a GP or consultant which may delay final diagnosis and a vital start to necessary treatment which can contain the disease and limit potential damage to the kidneys, heart, lungs or brain.

Those diagnosed usually remain in medical care and receive ongoing treatment. Many symptoms will have less impact but there may be side effects. Lupus can adversely affect the lives of sufferers and their families and influence relationships with friends and business colleagues.

 

LUPUS IS NEITHER CONTAGIOUS OR INFECTIOUS

 


THE TRIGGERS OF LUPUS

 

Lupus can be triggered: 

at puberty  |  after childbirth  |  during the menopause   |  after viral infection

through sunlight   |  as a result of trauma   |  after a prolonged course of medication

One or more of the above can set off the illness in people who may have susceptibility to Lupus.
Lupus is often triggered in people where there is existing family history of Lupus and/or other immune system illnesses, such as arthritis, rheumatism, MS and others.


LUPUS IS PRESENTLY- INCURABLE, HOWEVER, IN MOST CASES,

IT CAN BE CONTROLLED

 

 

 

 

SYMPTOMS OF LUPUS

Although there are many possible manifestations of Lupus, those listed below are some of the more common.
Lupus is a disease which can present many different facets, rarely do two people have exactly the

same symptoms and these can vary from just one to many.

 

·         Joint/muscle aches and pains                                      

·         Permanent rash over cheeks

·         Kidney problems

·         Debilitating fatigue and weakness

·         Oral/nasal ulcers

·         Increased risk of miscarriage

·         Hair loss

·         Rashes from sunlight/UV light

·         Depression

·         Flu-like symptoms and/or night sweats

·         Inflammation of the tissues covering internal organs with associated chest and/or abdominal pain

·         Poor blood circulation causing the tips of the fingers and toes to turn white then blue on exposure to cold (Raynaud’s)

·         Haematological disorders including anaemia

·         Seizures, mental illness or other cerebral problems

·         Headaches, migraine

 

A person with Lupus may have four or five symptoms. Some of these might recede and/or others develop.

 

Please assist the WEST MIDLANDS LUPUS GROUP to help all local sufferers and to raise money

for research so that the cause and, eventually, a cure for Lupus can be found.


YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED

 

Contact Us

 

WHAT IS LUPUS ?