lupus awareness month Archives - Health BeatHealth Beat

May is observed as Lupus Awareness Month, a month used to educate, advocate, and support those affected by lupus.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems, such as the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.

Healthcare providers sometimes call lupus systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is the most common type of lupus, which means you have lupus throughout your body. Other types of lupus include:

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus is lupus that only affects your skin
Drug-induced lupus occurs when some medications trigger lupus symptoms as a side effect. It is usually temporary and might go away after you stop taking the medication that caused it
Neonatal lupus occurs when babies are sometimes born with lupus. Babies born to biological parents with lupus aren’t certain to have lupus, but they might have an increased risk

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 a mild form of the disease characterized by flare-ups, when signs and symptoms may get worse for a while, and then improve or disappear completely for a time.

The signs and symptoms of lupus 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
A 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
Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Dry eyes
Headaches, confusion, and memory loss

Lupus likely results from a combination of genetics and environment.

People with an inherited predisposition for lupus may develop the disease when they come into contact with an environmental trigger of the disease. Some potential triggers of lupus include:

Sunlight
Infections

Diagnosing lupus is difficult because signs and symptoms can vary from person to person and may change over time, overlapping with those of many other disorders.

No one test can diagnose lupus. The combination of blood and urine tests, signs and symptoms, and results of a physical examination can lead to a diagnosis. Blood and urine tests may include:

A complete blood count
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Kidney and liver assessment
Urinalysis
Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test

If your healthcare provider suspects that lupus is affecting your lungs or heart, they may suggest imaging tests that can include:

A chest X-ray
An echocardiogram

Lupus can harm the kidneys in many ways, and treatments can vary depending on the type of damage it causes. Sometimes, a kidney biopsy is needed to determine the best treatment. A skin biopsy can be performed to confirm a diagnosis of lupus affecting the skin.

A healthcare provider will suggest treatments for lupus that manage your symptoms. The goal is to minimize damage to the organs and how much lupus affects your day-to-day life. Most people with lupus need a combination of medications to help them prevent flare-ups and lessen the severity of symptoms during one. Medications you might need include:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Corticosteroids
Antimalarial drugs
Immunosuppressants
Biologics

Simple measures can help prevent lupus flare-ups if they occur, and help you to better cope with the signs and symptoms you experience, including:

Seeing your doctor regularly
Being sun smart
Getting regular exercise
Quitting smoking
Eating a healthy diet
Asking your healthcare provider if you need vitamin D and calcium supplements

For more information about the Lupus Center at the campus of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center or to make an appointment with a lupus doctor, call (718) 206-9888 or the Lupus Hotline at 1-877-33-LUPUS.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation in many different parts of the body, including (but not limited to) your joints, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs, as well as other organs.

Lupus is often distinguished by a facial rash that spreads across both cheeks. However, it can still be difficult to diagnose, as it may present a wide variety of symptoms in different people that may resemble other conditions.

Most people with lupus experience mild symptoms broken up by periodic flare-ups, during which their symptoms temporarily worsen. Aside from inflammation, these symptoms may include fever, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, shortness of breath, and fingers and toes that turn white or blue in response to cold or stress.

People with lupus can also experience several complications. The leading cause of death among people with this condition is kidney failure due to damage caused by the disease. However, inflammation of the heart and lungs also increases the risk of additional medical problems, such as cardiovascular disease, pneumonia, seizures, and strokes.

The cause of lupus is unknown, but it is most common for women and people of Black, Hispanic, or Asian backgrounds. Although lupus is most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45, it can affect people of any age. Lupus (as well as flare-ups of symptoms) can be triggered by sunlight, infections, and certain medications, such as antibiotics, blood pressure medication, and seizure medication.

Lupus is a life-long disease with no cure, but it can be managed with the help of a doctor. Several different types of drugs, including steroids, monoclonal antibodies, and chemotherapy drugs, may be used to help you cope with your symptoms, depending on your specific symptoms. You may also need to avoid certain vaccines, particularly those with live viruses such as the chickenpox or shingles vaccine, as well as make certain adjustments to your diet.

You can receive specialized medical treatment for lupus at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 206-7001.