Lupus and How to deal with it
You may be experiencing a nasty rash that extends to both cheeks of your face. These rashes may be accompanied by fever, fatigue, and pain in your joints. These symptoms seem to allude to many illness types. However, it is likely that you may be suffering from Lupus Barker Cypress. This disease, its effects, and possible treatment plans are discussed below.
What is Lupus?
Lupus is an illness that happens when your body’s immune system attacks your organs and tissues. This may cause inflammation in various body systems like the skin, joints, blood cells, kidneys, heart, brain, and lungs.
Lupus can be hard to identify as its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. A unique sign is a butterfly-like facial rash that runs across your cheeks, although it may not be in all cases.
Some people’s genetics make them be born with a likelihood of getting lupus that may be stimulated by certain drugs, infections, or sunlight. Treatment does not cure lupus but makes the symptoms manageable.
Symptoms
Each case of lupus is unique, with signs and symptoms developing slowly or beginning suddenly. The symptoms may also be temporary or permanent and mild or severe. Most lupus patients have flares that worsen symptoms for a while and then disappear suddenly. The symptoms depend on the type of body system affected and include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Stiffness, joint pain, and swelling
- Skin lesions that occur or worsen with exposure to the sun
- Rash shaped like a butterfly across your face covering the cheeks and nose bridge
- Shortness of breath
- Toes and fingers become blue or white when stressed or exposed to cold
- Dry eyes
- Chest pain
- Confusion, headaches, and memory loss
Causes
Since lupus is characterized by your immune system attacking healthy parts of your body, it is likely caused by your environment or genetics. People with an inherited predisposition to get lupus may get the disease when they contact something in the environment that triggers it.
Some potential triggers may include:
- Infections that may initiate lupus or cause cases of relapse
- Exposure to sunlight triggers responses in some people
- Certain anti-seizure, antibiotics, and blood pressure medications may cause lupus. Stopping taking these drugs may stop lupus symptoms
Factors that may heighten the likelihood of getting lupus include:
- People of ages between fifteen and forty-five
- Sex type, i.e., women contract lupus easily
- Race type with susceptibility in Hispanics, African Americans, and Asian Americans
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis is difficult due to symptoms not being unique to lupus. A combination of tests, symptoms and physical exams identify lupus.
Treatment plans depend on the signs and symptoms. Your physician will discuss with you possible steps forward. This may include medications like:
- Antimalarial drugs to reduce lupus flares
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and swelling
- Immunosuppressants
- Corticosteroids
- Biologics like belimumab
Lupus is quite a tricky condition to deal with. It isn’t easy to identify, but a cure has also not been found. If you suspect you have lupus, call our Cypress, TX offices or check our website online.
