what are the causes and symptoms of this disease?

September 23, 2022

Lupus is a relatively rare inflammatory disease. It is autoimmune and can affect many organs and tissues, such as the skin, joints, kidneys, and the brain. What are the symptoms of this disease?

Lupus is explained by a poor understanding of immune system, which identifies the organs of the body as if it were bacteria or from virus. Indeed, this autoimmune disease causes the person's body to mistakenly attack their healthy tissue.

The causes of lupus disease are not yet known, but some studies indicate that external factors are involved in the onset of the condition, especially in cases of predisposition genetics and use of certain drugs. Lupus could be triggered by exposure to rays ultraviolet, allergies drugs, viruses, or even strong emotions.

What are the different types of lupus?

Cutaneous lupus

This lupus is limited to one inflammation of the skin and does not engage the vital processes. It can be identified by the appearance of reddish lesions or crusts. These spots are generally visible on the scalp, face, or even the neck.

Systemic lupus

In this type of lupus, inflammation affects several organs, mainly joints, skin, kidneys, the heart, the lungs, and blood vessels. The patient usually begins with lupus cutaneous and in a second step it can evolve towards the systemic.

Neonatal lupus

This type of lupus is rare and affects babies of women with lupus. Newborns can then be born with liver, rashes, or a low number of blood cells. However, the symptoms should disappear naturally after a few months.

What are the symptoms of lupus?

Symptoms of lupus may appear suddenly or develop gradually. They can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. Most patients experience moderate symptoms, which appear as flares, in which they worsen over a given period of time, before everything returns to normal.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, any organ or system can be affected, so the symptoms can be multiple. Among them are:

  • Spots or patches on the skin

  • Joint pain or muscle swelling

  • Difficulty breathing or pains in the chest

  • Sensitivity to light from the sun

  • Arrhythmia or heart failure

  • Kidney problems

  • Neuropsychiatric disorders

  • Intense fatigue

This pathology chronic autoimmune affects mainly women, who represent 9 diagnostics out of 10. Among children, this proportion is not as marked. Studies indicate that theimpact higher in women is due to the production ofestrogen. This hormone is related to the control ofovulation and lymphocytes, where do antibody.

What treatments are there for lupus?

The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms of the disease, as there is no definitive cure for lupus today. However, with the use of drugs, it is possible to improve the patient's quality of life. Treatment will depend on the intensity and aggressiveness of the disease.

Usually lupus with mild symptoms can be treated with medication anti-inflammatory for'arthritis and pleurisy, sunscreen and corticosteroids topical for skin lesions. Thehydroxychloroquine and low-dose corticosteroids are also used for symptoms affecting the skin.

In the most severe cases of lupus, a dosage high corticosteroids or drugs that reduce the response of immune system of the organism is generally indicated.

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