Lupus is a very unpredictable
disease, sometimes called "the invisible disease". Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) can effect the
brain, heart, kidney and cause liver dysfunction. Other effected organs may include the lungs, skin,
joints, and muscle. This disease can effect any tissue or organ in the body. Lupus can be life threatening
and physically very painful.
No two patients have the same symptoms at the same
time. There are also times when symptoms may not be as severe as others, these are described as periods of "remission."
When a symptom returns it is called a "flare."
During a "flare" patients may experience a facial rash through the cheeks and
along the bridge of the nose. It is often referred to as the "butterfly rash" because of it's resemblance to
the lower wings of a butterfly.
Discoid lupus primarily effects the skin
and causes hair loss.
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| A Discoid lupus patient's hair-line. |
Discoloration along the hair line and general thinning of the hair is ordinary for Discoid
patients. Despite its commonality, these are NOT the only symptoms. Though Discoid lupus is clearly not as life threatening,
it can be extremly life changing. It is also possible to have the disease and it not manifest for years.
Neonatal Lupus is a rare condition caused by the passage of maternal autoantibodies transferred
during pregnancy. This is said to manifest itself during the first six weeks of life and disappear before the first
six months. Neonatal Lupus is not SLE.
Although lupus is primarily diagnosed in women of
color 15-45 years of age, lupus is not contagious. People from all walks of life have lupus and 1.5 million -
2 million Americans are living with lupus to date.
The National Lupus Foundation estimates 16,000 Americans
will be diagnose this year.
SLE can effect the
skin, joints or muscles.
EARLY SIGNS OF ILLINESS MAY BE:
1. UNEXPLAINED RASH ACROSS THE FACE, RESEMBLES A MASK
2. REOCCURING FEVERS
3. SENSITIVITY TO COLD, BLUE/GREY COLOR WHEN COLD
4. CHRONIC FATIGUE
5. PAINFUL JOINT AND MUSCLES
6. SUDDEN HAIR LOSS
7. RANDOM SWELLING
8. EASILY
SUNBURN, PAINFUL AND THAT TAKES A LONG TIME TO HEAL.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, physical changes or think
you may have lupus,consult a primary care physician immediately.
