What exactly is lupus?

By Shelley Widhalm

The Surveyor

My cousin, who lost her life to lupus at age 18, had the characteristic butterfly-shaped malar rash, plus fatigue and pain was a child, but never forgot the rash and how it didn’t detract from her beauty.

About half of people with lupus experience a red rash or color change across their cheeks and bridge of the nose in the shape of a butterfly, according to the enters for isease ontrol. They have many other symptoms like prolonged fatigue, muscle and joint pain, fever, shortness of breath and hair loss.

The disease’s many symptoms make it hard to diagnose since they can mimic and be mistaken for symptoms of other diseases the symptoms also vary from person to person, according to the . upus is caused by a combination of genetics and environmental influences and can be triggered by infections, certain medications and sunlight, according to the ayo linic. t is a chronic autoimmune disease with no cure where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs.

The disease is more common in women and affects people of all ages, though it’s most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45, according to the ayo linic. upus also is more common in African Americans, Hispanics and Asian Americans, the clinic states.

The disease can affect any part of the body as it causes widespread inflammation and tissue damage, most often in the joints, skin, blood vessels, brain, lungs and kidneys, according to the Lupus Research Alliance, the largest nongovernmental nonprofit funder of lupus research.

Other symptoms of the disease can include sun or light sensitivity, skin lesions that appear or worsen with exposure to the sun, chest pain, blood

clotting, mouth sores, anemia, and memory problems such as confusion and forgetfulness. The symptoms typically come and go, since there are flares or episodes where they worsen, and periods of remission with improvement or where symptoms completely disappear for a period of time. Some flares can be mild, while others are more serious and require medical attention. ew symptoms can develop, while others may happen less often. The symptoms can come on suddenly or begin slowly, be mild or severe, and be temporary or permanent, according to the ayo linic. To diagnose the disease, there isn’t a conclusive test to give answers, but it can be identified in other ways. Some methods include a medical history and tracking of symptoms, a review of family history of lupus and other autoimmune diseases, a complete physical exam, blood and urine tests, and a skin or kidney biopsy. upus can be managed with treatment to help improve symptoms, address them when they occur, reduce organ damage, and prevent flares and the other problems caused by the disease, according to the . Treatment might include medications that reduce swelling and pain, prevent the immune system from attacking the organs and other tissues, reduce or prevent damage to the joints, and prevent organ damage, the states. The disease can cause death, though the improved treatments allow those with the disease to live long, Photo from Pinterest.com healthy lives. The butterfly-shaped malar rash is a characteristic Other ways to keep the disease under control are to indication of lupus. learn how to tell when a flare is coming, reducing stress, limiting time spent in the sun, eating a healthy diet, exercising moderately with doctor approval, and getting enough sleep and rest, according to the . Alternatively, lupus flares can be triggered by stress, working too much, not getting enough rest, being out in the sun, having an infection, getting injured and stopping taking lupus medications, the states. arning signs can include worsening of symptoms or getting new symptoms like tiredness, pain, a rash, fever, stomachache, severe headache and dizziness. The key to dealing with lupus is understanding the disease and how to manage it as a chronic condition.