Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease which occurs when body's immune system attacks its own tissues and organs.
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There are four types of lupus of which systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common and the most serious type. Systemic lupus mostly attacks women. The cause of the disease is unknown, but heritage and outside factors contribute to it.
The disease often appears in identical twins and people who are related with a person who has lupus. It can also be triggered by drugs (common Andol, for example) and exposing body to UV light.
The patient can have only a few symptoms in the beginning of the disease, often connected with one organ. However, as the disease progresses it attacks other organs which leads to the new symptoms. SLE can start as an acute infection with general weakness and high fever.
It can manifest through anaemia, air loss, eyes problems, decreased number of leukocytes and thrombocytes, cough, headache and pain in stomach, depending on attacked organ is. Those are mostly some general signs and vague symptoms which make lupus difficult to diagnose.
The symptoms may start in joints. A doctor can note swellings, signs of arthritis and difficulties in mobility. If lupus attacks skin, it will manifest in shape of red skin spots (erythematic), sporadic hiperpigmentation and formation of ulcers.
The main characteristic of lupus of the skin is butterfly like shape which appears on patient's nose and cheeks as the consequence of exposing to the sun light.
Because of such typical detail of the disease, spring and summer are the best time of the year to diagnose skin lupus. Conjunctivitis and photophobia, and even a short lasting blindness, is present in 20-25 percent of the patient.
Som 50% of patients have mildly increased liver and spleen while 47 percent of the patients have respiratory problems (cough, pressure in chest, feeling of air loss). 46 percent of patients have accelerated heart rhythm, arrhythmia and enlarged heart muscle.
Thrombosis of blood vessels is also possible. Acute depression, hyperventilation, memory loss and seizures are just some of psychiatric and neurological disorders which appear as the consequence of untreated lupus.
Still, prognosis of lupus in largest number of cases depends on damage in kidney's tissue, central nervous system, bleedings, and secondary infections. If you develop an unexplained rash on the face and uncovered parts of the body, ongoing fever, persistent aching or fatigue, visit your doctor. ■