Lupus: know the different manifestations of the disease

This Wednesday (10th) marks World Lupus Day, which aims to raise awareness of the autoimmune problem.

Capable of affecting multiple organs and tissues, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease. That is, the organism itself attacks the body, and can even cause death in severe cases.

Given the seriousness and popularity of the disease – lupus affects more than five million people worldwide, including celebrities such as presenter Astrid Fontenelle and American singer Selena Gomez – there is a specific date to raise awareness of the health problem . Every May 10 is remembered as World Lupus Day.

Importantly, the disease can manifest itself in four different ways. Encounter:

discoid lupus

According to the Ministry of Health (SM), this lupus is limited to the individual’s skin. The person with the disease may have reddish lesions on the skin, especially on the face, neck and scalp.

Systemic lupus

It is the most common form of the disease and can be both mild and severe. This is the type of inflammation that affects the whole body and can affect various organs or systems, such as the kidneys, heart, joints, as well as the skin. MS warns that some people with discoid lupus may have the problem made worse by the systemic condition.

drug induced lupus

It occurs when lupus develops as a result of the use of drugs and/or drugs that cause inflammation with symptoms similar to those of systemic lupus. The difference is that the disease tends to go away when substance use is stopped.

neonatal lupus

It is a rare type of disease, affecting newborns of women with lupus. From birth, your baby may have a rash, liver problems or low blood cell counts, but even these symptoms tend to go away over the months. In some cases, lupus can cause a serious heart defect in the baby, but proper exams and tests can already identify mothers at risk, so as to ensure the best care before or after delivery.

What causes lupus?

Lupus, like other autoimmune diseases, has no clear cause. What is known is that the disease can be a combination of hormonal, genetic, infectious and even environmental factors.

There are also no predetermined risk factors, but there are groups most commonly affected by the disease. This is the case for women, people between 15 and 40 years old and of African American, Hispanic and Asian origin.

What are the symptoms of lupus?

The most frequent symptoms are different: skin lesions, generally reddish; pain and swelling, especially in the joints of the hands; inflammation in the kidneys, membranes covering the lungs, brain and/or small vessels (vasculitis); blood changes; fever with no trace of infection; and weakness, among others.

What is the treatment?

Lupus has no cure, and treatment depends on how symptoms appear and the type of disease in each individual. The measures adopted aim to control the activity of the problem in order to minimize its side effects and, with this, guarantee a better quality of life for the bearers.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.