What is Lupus
Lupus is a chronic condition, which affects the immune system. In Lupus the immune system produces too many antibodies. Therefore instead of defending the body from infection, they attack their own healthy tissue.
Is there a cure for Lupus?
At present there is no cure for Lupus, but research is being carried out all over the world, to find new treatments for lupus and to find out what causes Lupus to develop. So there is hope for the future, however, lupus can be controlled using medications.
What are the symptoms?
There are various types of lupus and lupus also has the ability to mimic many other diseases and to vary from person to person.
The most common symptoms are:
Fatigue, joint, muscle pain, migraine, eye problems, miscarriage, hair loss, anaemia, mouth ulcers, depression, facial or other rashes, possible involvement of the kidneys, heart, lungs and brain.
What is the outlook?
This has vastly improved due to the constant research and advances the medical profession have made over the years and patients can now expect to have a normal lifespan. However you need to be aware that this is still a very serious illness and can cause irreversible damage to major organs.
How can I help myself
Some of the factors, which can trigger on an attack are stress, excessive sunlight and occasionally drug allergies. Patients who are sensitive to Ultraviolet light and develop skin rashes can, with normal common sense protection against excessive UV exposure, lead a reasonably normal life. There are no diets, which have been found especially helpful in lupus though it must be said that some patients do appear to be allergic to certain foods and the only way to find this out is through trial and error