Lupus Disease: Side Effects, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system, which normally protects the body against infections, mistakenly attacks its own tissues throughout the body. It causes inflammation that can affect your skin, joints, blood and organs like your kidneys, lungs and heart. Because its symptoms often mimic other illnesses, lupus disease is sometimes called the “disease with a thousand faces.” In most cases, the disease is moderate, but it can become life-threatening if not treated, making early diagnosis and treatment essential.

What is the Meaning of Lupus Disease?

To understand the definition of lupus disease, you first need to know how the immune system works. The immune system works as the body’s defence system against outside invaders, such as bacteria and viruses, to keep people healthy. However, for people with lupus disease, the immune system is overreactive and produces antibodies that attack healthy cells and tissues in the body, resulting in inflammation. This inflammation can affect different parts of the body, including the heart, lungs, and kidneys, causing a range of symptoms.

Types of Lupus

While systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common, there are other types of lupus, depending on which part of the body the disease affects. These types are:

1. Systemic lupus erythematosus: The most common type of lupus, SLE, affects multiple organs and systems throughout the body. Due to this reason, it is the most severe form of lupus.
2. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: This type of lupus only affects the skin.
3. Drug-induced lupus: This lupus results from long-term use of certain medications. It is temporary and might go away after stopping the medications.
4. Neonatal lupus: When a baby is born with lupus, that type is known as Neonatal lupus. Typically, babies whose biological parents have lupus have an increased risk of it, but it is not always guaranteed.

Symptoms of Lupus

Now that you know the meaning of autoimmune disease, lupus, let’s take a look at its symptoms. The symptoms of lupus can vary from person to person as the disease can affect different parts of the body.

Some of the most common symptoms of lupus disease include:

• Headaches
• Rashes (Usually across your face, which sometimes is known as a butterfly rash by healthcare providers)
• Fever
• Hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen glands
• Swelling in your arms, legs or on your face
• Confusion
• Blood clots

Females with lupus are more likely to experience symptoms, such as:

• Hair thinning
• Sun sensitivity
• Mouth ulcers
• Rashes caused by arthritis

Males with lupus are more likely to experience symptoms, such as:

• Coronary affliction
• Weight loss
• Low haemoglobin level
• Injuries to the kidney
• Chest discomfort

The symptoms of lupus disease in humans generally come and go, which is called flare-ups. During a flare-up, a person with lupus may experience more symptoms than usual that may affect their daily routine. In between the flare-ups, the symptoms are usually mild or non-existent.

Side Effects of Lupus Disease

Sometimes people with lupus may end up developing other health conditions. The damage to different organs in lupus can add up, resulting in entirely new issues. Some of these side effects of lupus disease include:

• Light sensitivity
• Dry eye
• Depression or other mental health conditions
• Raynaud’s syndrome (A problem that causes decreased blood flow to the fingers)
• Osteoporosis (A disease in which the bones become weak and are likely to fracture)
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Seizures
• Anemia

What Causes Lupus Disease?

While the exact cause of lupus is unknown, some factors may indirectly trigger the immune system to attack the body. Some of these factors include:

• Genes: Scientists have suggested that some genetic variations may make a person more likely to get lupus.
• Hormones: Estrogen, the female hormone, is believed to make a person more likely to develop lupus. This is why lupus disease symptoms seem to increase before monthly periods and during pregnancy.
• Environmental Factors: Where you live, work and spend time can also be a cause of lupus. For instance, factors such as ultraviolet (UV) light, cigarettes, stress, mercury, and viruses, such as Epstein-Barr, herpes zoster, and cytomegalovirus, can all increase the risk of a person developing lupus.
• Medications: Some medications, such as hydralazine and procainamide, can cause lupus. The symptoms usually stop when one stops taking these medications.

Beyond the general factor that may cause lupus, some people may be more likely to develop it than others. The risk of lupus is higher if you are:

• Female, between the ages of 15 and 44
• Black
• Hispanic
• Asian
• Native American, Alaska Native or First Nations
• Pacific Islander

How is Lupus Disease Diagnosed?

Since the symptoms of lupus diseases often resemble those of other diseases, diagnosing it can be a bit difficult. Doctors generally start by doing a physical examination to understand the symptoms, as well as the medical and family history of the patient.

Beyond physical examination, the doctor may conduct:

• Blood tests to check for infections or other issues, like anaemia or low blood cell counts.
• Urinalysis to inspect the urine for any infection or other health conditions.
• Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test to detect antibodies that show a history of the body fighting off infections. People with lupus have certain antibodies that show their immune system has been overly active.
• Biopsy of the skin or kidney tissue to determine whether the immune system has damaged them.

Treatment of Lupus Disease

While there is no specific cure for lupus disease, it can be managed with a combination of treatments. The treatment of lupus disease generally consists of:

• Antimalarial medicines to treat fatigue, joint pain, and skin rashes
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for mild joint or muscle pain and fever
• Protective clothing and sunscreen to protect the skin from sunlight
• Immunosuppressants to dampen the action of the immune system
• Chemotherapy to help regulate the immune system when it is overactive
• A range of treatments for other health issues, such as infections, seizures, skin, or kidney problems

Living With Lupus

Beyond medications and treatments, those with lupus can also make some lifestyle changes that may help ease symptoms and improve the quality of life. These lifestyle changes include:

• Indulge in low-impact exercises, such as walking and swimming, to improve your mood and lower the risk of developing osteoporosis.
• Get enough rest throughout the day.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, while limiting foods that contain cholesterol and saturated fats.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking.
• Limit sun exposure, especially between 10 AM and 2 PM. Wear sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen when outside.
• Treat fever right away, as it can be a sign of infection or a lupus flare-up.
• Follow your doctor's treatment plan, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
• Ensure sufficient intake of vitamins such as vitamin D and vitamin B.

As we conclude, it is clear that lupus is a frustrating, tiring condition. It can cause pain, inflammation and irritation throughout the body, which can be exhausting at times. But remember that you are not alone. Talk to your doctor, ask any questions you may have, and seek mental health resources and support groups if you think talking to someone will help.