Lupus: The Disease Within
Millions and millions of people of today are living with a disease that they are unaware of. These people are unaware of possible diseases because they are either too nervous or scared to get checked by a doctor and/or hospital. The possibility of there being a problem or a situation that someone has to face is scary to many people throughout the world. In other words, I would like to inform everyone about a disease called Lupus, how it affects the body, and the treatment for the disease.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, where the immune system attacks healthy tissue (Lupus O.1). The immune system is attacked because the immune response acts inappropriately to the presence of diseases and pathogens in the body. Certain types of diseases and pathogens could possibly cause the immune response to attack the immune system more than necessary. The best way to avoid having your immune system being attacking healthy tissue is to try to stay healthy and clean at all times.
Likewise, whether you are young or old, Lupus can affect anyone, at anytime. Lupus usually affects woman more than men. About 90% of women have Lupus, whereas only 10 % of men have Lupus (Lupus F. 7). This research has been done in order to figure out who Lupus targets more often and why. Even though researchers have done experiments to figure out why, the results so far have been inconclusive.
Similarly, there are many different signs and symptoms of Lupus. A few signs of Lupus is redness in the shape of a butterfly on your cheeks, hands turning blue and white, loss of hair, abnormal skin color, and weight loss (Living L. 3). A few symptoms of Lupus are the immense feeling of heat or cold air, weakness, joint and muscle pain, and extreme fatigue (tiredness). Also, Lupus can affect you physically by damaging your heart, brain, kidneys, and lungs (Lupus F. 1)
In addition to, as far as research goes, the cause of Lupus is unknown (Lupus F. 1) Some theories about the causes of Lupus are because of too much sunlight, emotional stress, and certain types of medicine. Also, Lupus is assumed to being caused by injuries, a viral illness, or exhaustion (Lupus F. 5). If researchers knew the exact cause of Lupus, then they would be able to treat it accordingly. Since they do not know the exact cause of the disease, the research for the cause of Lupus continues.
Moreover, the prevention of Lupus is uncertain, but there are some treatments for it. The prevention of Lupus is to try to remain stress free, stay out of sunlight, and to watch the types of medication you take (Lupus O. 4) Also, some other ways to try to prevent Lupus are to eat healthy and to be in a nice and clean environment as much as possible.
Furthermore, the treatment for Lupus depends on the type of Lupus you have but you are given medicines such as steroids, ranitidine (if you have acid reflux) folic acid and hydrochloroquine (Lupus F. 1). Also, you can be given sleeping pills if you are having trouble with insomnia and methotrexate, in order to keep your liver enzymes down. Once again Lupus can affect anyone at anytime, even celebrities. A few famous faces that have this disease are celebrities such as Toni Braxton and Seal. They’ve had the disease for years and continue to live with the disease to this day.
In conclusion, millions and millions of people are living with a disease that they are unaware of. One disease in particular is Lupus, an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks healthy tissue. This disease is found more in women than in men. The signs and symptoms of Lupus are a red rash on your face, blue and white fingers, joint/ muscle pain, and extreme fatigue (Living L. 2). Since this disease is so brutal to the body, researchers have tried to find the cause of it but have come up with no known cause for Lupus. Also, the prevention of Lupus is uncertain but there are treatment options for the disease. The treatment of Lupus is steroids, ranitidine, folic acid, methotrexate, and hydrochloroquine, and sleeping pills. All in all, Lupus is a serious disease just like any other disease and the best way to maintain your health and live longer is to find out if you are living with a disease that you are unaware of.
Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. 2012. http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_learnunderstanding.aspx?articleid=2233&zoneid=523. Web.
Living With Lupus. 2012. http://www.lupusny.org/ Web.
Lupus Overview. 2010. http://lupus.webmd.com/. Web.
