Lupus: Symptoms, Risk Factors, And How To Manage This Condition Effectively

[LoShiNi]

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs by mistake. Lupus can lead to inflammation anywhere in your body; your joints, skin, kidneys, blood, brain, heart and lungs can all suffer from the disease.

Diagnosing lupus isn’t always easy, because it has a wide range of symptoms that resemble other conditions. There is one particular symptom that is specific to lupus: a butterfly-shaped rash on the face. However, not all lupus patients have this symptom.

Predisposition to lupus can be hereditary, but it’s not the only factor. Lupus triggers include infections, certain medications, and sunlight. Lupus is a lifelong disease, but there are treatments available to relieve the symptoms of the condition.

Symptoms of lupus vary greatly. They can be sudden or appear slowly, have a different degree of severity, and can be temporary or permanent. Most cases of lupus are mild; patients may experience flares (= symptoms worsening), but then the symptoms subside or go away completely.

Here’s the list of most common lupus symptoms:

* joints hurt, and become stiff and swollen;
* fatigue;
* fever;
* rash on the nose and cheeks in the shape of a butterfly;
* photosensitivity;
* Raynaud’s phenomenon — cold or stress make fingers and toes turn blue or white;
* shortness of breath;
* pain in the chest;
* dry eyes;
* headaches, confusion and memory problems.
* If you have an unexplained rash, fever, constant aching or fatigue, it’s time to go to your doctor.

Lupus risk factors are the following:

* gender – women are at a higher risk;
* age – people of any age can develop the condition, but the diagnosis is usually made when the patient * is between the ages of 15 and 40;
* race – African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asians are at a higher risk.
If you suffer from lupus, here’s the list of things you can do to better manage the condition:

frequent visits to the doctor are a must;
lupus patients often suffer from extreme fatigue – get all the rest you need, both during daytime and nighttime;
cover up and apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 55 when you’re out in the sun;
work out – it can help you in more than one way;
say ‘no’ to cigarettes to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease caused by lupus;
your diet must be nutritious and should include fruits, vegetables and whole grains.