Lupus Disease

Lupus, an autoimmune disease, is one of many immune disorders where our own defenses turn on us and attack our own cells and tissues. There are many forms of this disease as well and with many symptoms that can be misleading, diagnosis can be a difficult task. Symptoms can range from flu like symptoms to those that resemble arthritis, and many other diseases in between. The most common symptoms include extreme fatigue, swollen and painful joints or arthritis, fevers that are unexplained, various skin rashes and kidney problems. Lupus can affect many organ systems too, including the heart, lungs and brain. Currently, as research continues, there is no cure, but with healthy lifestyles and medication, Lupus can be controlled and offer the patient …show more content…
Nephritis, inflammation of the kidneys in the nephrons, impairs the ability to excrete waste products and toxins in the body which can build up leading to toxicity. If left untreated for too long, permanent damage can be the result. The Lungs can also suffer with pleuritis, the lining of the chest cavity that surrounds the lungs can become inflamed making it painful to breathe and pneumonia can also be developed in patients with lupus. Lupus can affect the CNS and brain functions causing headaches, dizziness, and problems with vision arise, seizures, strokes and even behavioral changes can occur. Vasculitis can occur where the blood vessels become inflamed affecting circulation; this condition can be mild to severe. The blood can be affected; anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia are issues that can arise from lupus. Myocarditis and endocarditis affecting the heart itself or the membrane surrounding it can become inflamed; pericarditis causing the patient chest pains, arthrosclerosis is yet another disease that a patient with lupus can be at risk for, this is why earlier it was stated that in order to maintain a healthy life, the former habits would have to change and in some cases that would be …show more content…
Side effects to this treatment include nausea and vomiting, hair loss, a decrease in fertility, bladder issues and an increased for cancer and infection. After the discontinued use of this therapy, the risk of a relapse is once again something to consider but with that, the prolonged length of treatment exacerbates the side effects, the patient along with the doctor must evaluate the risks versus therapeutic effects.
Staying healthy and reducing stress is of major importance to managing this disease; heightened stress levels can increase cortisol levels leading to many problems associated with lupus, these can include; excessive weight gain, high blood sugar levels, immune system complications, bone degeneration and heart disease. A compromised immune system being the number one factor but all the others fall right into place and can only exacerbate the other symptoms. Eating wisely, getting adequate rest and exercise can all contribute to the remission of lupus and a sound mind and