The Feature of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - Term Paper Example

Lupus Lupus is considered to be a serious disease with some of unpleasant implications. This illness attacks a huge number of organs in human’s body that are important for normal functioning of a person. Lupus is highly complicated disease with a number of general features and specific peculiarities. It demands accurate treatment and particular conditions for the person to control the illness. Special features, medical representation, appropriate treatment and prognosis for the future are going to be discussed. First and foremost, it should be admitted that lupus is “a chronic inflammatory disease” that appears when the immune system of a person attacks different tissues and organs (Mayo Clinic, n.p). The inflammation that is considered to be the result of lupus affects different body systems (Mayo Clinic, n.p). It is possible to name joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs (Mayo Clinic, n.p). Lupus is remained to be an autoimmune disease as it is connected with the irregular functioning of the immune system. The matter is that healthy immune system protects the organism of a person from foreign germs by making antibodies (Ginzler and Tayar, n.p.). In a case of lupus the immune system works differently and “instead of producing protective antibodies, an autoimmune disease begins and makes "autoantibodies," which attack the patients own tissues” (Ginzler and Tayar, n.p.). A huge number of damages for the organism of a person are appeared in such a way. As a result an inflammation in different body systems appear. It is relevant to admit that sometimes lupus can be difficult to diagnose as this disease has a number of general features that can be interpreted as some other disease. However, there are some specific features that are peculiar for this illness. It is possible to include fatigue, skin rashes, hair loss, joint aches and pains, dry eyes, depression and kidney problems to the general symptoms of lupus (Hughes, 9). In addition, “the inflammation of tissues covering internal organs” in considered to be one more general feature of this disease (Hughes, 9). Considering all these symptoms it is possible to find out some specialties that are peculiar for lupus. Skin is regarded as one of the commonest organs affected by lupus (Hughes, 13). People who suffer from this disease have an extremely sensitive skin and therefore they suffer from different rushes, mosquito bites and sun (Hughes, 13). Butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose is considered to be peculiar for this disease (MNT, n.p.). Problems with joints are manifested with “arthritis, and swollen joints, especially in wrists, small joints of the hands, elbows, knees, and ankles” are remained to be peculiar symptoms for lupus (MNT, n.p.). Heart, lungs, kidney and brain are also affected by this disease. Different problems with particular body systems appear. It is possible to name anemia, pain in chest, Raynauds phenomenon, headache, seizures, APS syndrome, mouth or nose ulcers and other symptoms of lupus (MNT, n.p.). People with lupus can experience a number of complications in different areas of their health. Except from huge damage in various body systems that are considered to be the symptoms of disease there are a lot of other complications. It is admitted that people with lupus are more vulnerable to infection as the immune system cannot function appropriately (Mayo Clinic, n.p). Also, the risk of cancer increases when person suffers from this illness (Mayo Clinic, n.p). Avascular necrosis is regarded as one of the lupus complications. That is considered to be the death of bone tissue and hip joint is most commonly affected in such a case (Mayo Clinic, n.p). In addition, it should be admitted that women who suffers from lupus have complications with pregnancy as there is an increased risk of miscarriage (Mayo Clinic, n.p). The diagnosing and monitoring lupus is not an easy process as a huge number of organs are affected by this disease. Blood tests are widely used for the both diagnosing and monitoring of lupus (Hughes, 5). ANA test is considered to be a standard procedure for the diagnosing lupus (Hughes, 5). In addition, doctors are in need to perform a huge number of analyses and tests in order to confirm lupus. The most common are biopsy, urinalysis, kidney and liver assessment, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, echocardiogram and others (Mayo Clinic, n.p). Also, the analysis of symptoms is important. It is admitted that patient must meet at least 4 serious symptoms to be diagnosed with lupus (MNT, n.p.). It is relevant to admit that this disease is peculiar for woman mostly. The matter is that “women are diagnosed 9 times more often than men” (MNT, n.p.). Person of any age can suffer from this disease; still, the most appropriate age is from 15 to 40 (Hughes, 4). Also, it is admitted that lupus appears for the first time at the age of twenty mostly (Hughes, 4). There are a lot of cases when lupus starts its progress in the period of pregnancy or after it. In addition, there are examples of suffering from lupus in children, men and older people, but they are rare. To such extent, it is essential to admit three possible risk factors concerning lupus. Sex of a person is important as lupus is more common for female representatives of society (Mayo Clinic, n.p). The second one is age as this disease mostly diagnosed in 15-40 (Mayo Clinic, n.p). The last but not the list is race, as it is admitted that lupus is peculiar for African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians (Mayo Clinic, n.p). It is important to mention that there are no clear evidences concerning the question of causes of this disease (Hughes, 4). Generally, doctors cannot straightforwardly admit what causes lupus. Still, it is suggested that lupus is considered to be the result of both genetic and environmental stimuli (MNT, n.p.). The matter is that the disease can be found in female representatives of one family. To such extent, doctors assume that genetic factor is relevant in the dimension of this illness. Also, medical professionals speak about a number of environmental factors concerning lupus. It is admitted that extreme stress, exposure to ultraviolet light that goes from sunlight, smoking, chemical exposure to compounds such as trichloroethylene in well water and dust can be added to the list of lupus causes (MNT, n.p.). In addition, some medications and infections can be regarded as stimulators of this disease (MNT, n.p.). It should be admitted that there is no cure for lupus, so person needs to live with this disease the entire life. Still, there are a huge number of possible treatments for the sake of control lupus and make the existence of a diseased person comfortable (MNT, n.p.). The matter is that treatment for lupus is highly dependent from the symptoms that person undergoes (Mayo Clinic, n.p). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used for the treatment of pain, sweating and fever that are associated with lupus (Mayo Clinic, n.p). Antimalarial drugs are prescribed to treat the manifestation of malaria and help to control the progress of lupus (Mayo Clinic, n.p). Corticosteroids are used by doctors in order to treat weight gain, easy bruising, thinning bones (osteoporosis), high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of infection that are connected with lupus (Mayo Clinic, n.p). Immunosuppressants are the drugs that stimulate immune system of a person for the appropriate functioning and are regarded as highly helpful in serious cases of lupus (Mayo Clinic, n.p). In addition, it should be suggested that person with lupus is in need to perform a special steps in order to control the disease. It is highly important to visit doctor regularly and check the state of health (Mayo Clinic, n.p). Also, person with lupus is in need to have enough rest for the sake not to be overstrained (Mayo Clinic, n.p). Moreover, it is essential to escape direct sunlight as ultraviolet light is highly dangerous for people with lupus (Mayo Clinic, n.p). Naturally, a health way of life including healthy diet, regular exercises and prohibition to smoke is recommended for the diseased people (Mayo Clinic, n.p). Taking all facts under consideration, it is relevant to conclude that lupus is a serious and complicated disease that involves a number of unpleasant implications in people’s life. That is considered to be a chronic illness that is regulated by the incorrect functioning of immune system. Lupus provides damage to a huge number of body systems including skin, heart, lungs, kidney and brain. This disease is more peculiar for women at the young age. There is no special cure for this illness; still, lupus can be controlled by a number of different medications together with healthy way of life. Reference List: Ginzler, Ellen and Tayar, Jean. “Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus)”. American College of Rheumatology Communications and Marketing Committee, Feb 2013. Web. April 13, 2015. https://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/lupus.asp Hughes, Graham. “Lupus: The Facts”. USA: Oxford University Press, 2003. Print. Lupus. Mayo Clinic, Nov 18, 2014. Web. April 13, 2015. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/basics/definition/con-20019676 “What is lupus?” MNT Knowledge Center. Web. April 13, 2015. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/lupus/ Read More