LUPUS

What started with stiffness in her wrists, seventeen-year-old Anne Marie started facing several problems from swelling in her joints to severe pains in her body. What followed were numerous appointments with doctors and diagnosis of problems like arthritis, to the possibility of a trapped nerve. Despite ongoing treatments, Anne’s condition followed to worsen, and she started showing different symptoms like abnormal weakness and rosy cheeks. It took over two years and multiple misdiagnosis to conclude that the condition that Anne was suffering from was lupus. 

Lupus also known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SEL) is a systemic autoimmune disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. 

In India, over 1 million cases of lupus are recorded each year. Just like Anne, many people suffering from it aren’t able to be correctly diagnosed at the first attempt when symptoms occur due to the mystery that is- Lupus. 

What happens in lupus?

In lupus, something goes wrong with the immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs. Normally our immune systems produce proteins called "antibodies" which protect the body from these invaders.

However in lupus the immune system goes into "autoimmunity" meaning your immune system cannot tell the difference between the foreign invaders and your own body’s healthy tissues. As a result, it creates auto antibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue.

These auto-antibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.

Symptoms of lupus

No two cases of lupus are exactly alike. Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus have mild disease characterized by episodes — called flares — when signs and symptoms get worse for a while, then improve or even disappear completely for a time.

The signs and symptoms of lupus that you experience will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease. The most common signs and symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
• Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body
• Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure (photosensitivity)
• Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods (Raynaud's phenomenon)
• Shortness of breath Chestpain
• Dry eyes
• Headaches, confusion and memory loss
  

Many of these symptoms occur in other illnesses. In fact, lupus is sometimes called "the great imitator" because its symptoms are often like the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, blood disorders, fibromyalgia, diabetes, thyroid problems, Lyme disease, and a number of heart, lung, muscle, and bone diseases.

To be sure of what the present matter may be, one should always see the doctor if they face develop an unexplained rash, ongoing fever, persistent aching or fatigue.

Causes of lupus

As the cause of lupus can be unknown in most cases, it’s tricky to link its association with a specific cause. It's likely that lupus results from a combination of one’s genetics and environment.

It appears that people with an inherited predisposition for lupus may develop the disease when they come into contact with something in the environment that can trigger lupus.

Some potential triggers include:

• Sunlight. Exposure to the sun may bring on lupus skin lesions or trigger an internal response in susceptible people.
• Infections. Having an infection can initiate lupus or cause a relapse in some people.
• Medications. Lupus can be triggered by certain types of blood pressure medications, anti-seizure medications and antibiotics. People who have drug-induced lupus usually get better when they stop taking the medication. Rarely, symptoms may persist even after the drug is stopped.

Treatment for lupus

Treating lupus is a lifelong process. It requires ongoing planning and communication. Right now, there’s no cure for lupus, but there’s a lot one can do to manage the disease and improve the quality of life.

The goal of any treatment is to ease out symptoms of the disease and provide relief. Changes in diet and lifestyle are recommended to minimize the symptoms. Certain important practices are recommended, such as exercise and meditation to reduce stress, avoid eating certain foods that may trigger immune system attack, regular screenings to keep a check on steroids side effect, etc. Treatment may vary depending on the symptoms, severity of the disease, and affected body part. Learning as much as one can about lupus treatments and approaches will help one work with their doctor to find a treatment plan that’s right for the person.

Lifestyle and home remedies
Taking care of one’s body and taking preventive steps on a daily basis can make a big difference. Simple measures can help one prevent lupus flares and, should they occur, better cope with the signs and symptoms one experiences. Try to:

• See your doctor regularly. Having regular check-ups instead of only seeing your doctor when your symptoms worsen may help your doctor prevent flare-ups, and can be useful in addressing routine health concerns, such as stress, diet and exercise that can be helpful in preventing lupus complications.
• Be sun smart. Because ultraviolet light can trigger a flare, wear protective clothing — such as a hat, long-sleeved shirt and long pants — and use sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 55 every time you go outside.
• Get regular exercise. Exercise can help keep your bones strong, reduce your risk of heart attack and promote general well-being.
• Don't smoke. Smoking increases your risk of cardiovascular disease and can worsen the effects of lupus on your heart and blood vessels.
• Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Sometimes you may have dietary restrictions, especially if you have high blood pressure, kidney damage or gastrointestinal problems.
• Ask your doctor if you need vitamin D and calcium supplements. There is some evidence to suggest that people with lupus may benefit from supplemental vitamin D. A 1,200- to 1,500-milligram calcium supplement taken daily may help keep your bones healthy.

Despite of the fact that lupus affects a large number of people, women in majority, it still remains to be a mystery. Due to the symptoms that overlap with various other diseases, misdiagnosis of lupus can be common. Lupus symptoms infact differ from person to person. As there are different types of this disease, treatment also varies greatly from patient to patient. 
Due to improved diagnosis and disease management in today’s time, most people with the disease will go on to live a normal life span.

Treatment for lupus is widely available in India and one should consult a Rheumatologist if they see any signs or symptoms of the disease.