lupis symptoms

dyanne · Silver Member Joined: 30 May 2000 Posts: 288

I know a lot about scary disease called lupus. I know that lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease, which causes inflammation of various parts of the body. I have a friend who has this disease and it affected especially her skin, joints, blood and kidneys. I found it scary all that she has told me about this disease, so I want to hear more about it. For the start, can you tell me which lupus symptoms are?

wohl · Newbie Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 13

First, you need to understand that the body's immune system normally makes proteins called antibodies. They are used to protect the body against viruses, bacteria and other foreign materials. These foreign materials are called antigens, so in an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. As symptom of lupus, the main problem is that immune system make antibodies directed against self. Lupus is often called a "woman's disease" despite the fact that many men are also affected. However, the symptoms of the disease are the same in men and women. People of African, American Indian, and Asian origin are thought to develop the disease more frequently than Caucasian women are. Although lupus can affect any part of the body, most people experience symptoms in only a few organs, for example 95% of patients will experience achy joints and fever over 100 degrees F, or 38 degrees C. Commonly, patients feel prolonged or extreme fatigue, arthritis, which mean swollen joints, skin rashes, and anemia. Kidney involvement, pain in the chest on deep breathing, butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose, and sun or light sensitivity are common lupus symptoms.

Guest · Guest

Will a relevant diet help to improve lupus.

Guest · Guest

One of my classmates has lupus and I know she is on a diet: absolutely NO salt, she measures the callories, no chocolate, NO smoking. All this summer she was in hospitals.

But, the main question: How do you get Lupus-Is it a bacteria, a virus, is it in your blood since you were born?

My friend used to smoke, and when we asked her if she still smokes she said she wouldn't want to get in a coma. Could this really lead her into a coma?

Guest · Guest

lupis symptoms

LIFEFORM SOCIAL COMMUNITY NETWORK