There are two main forms of this autoimmune disease - Systemic lupus erythematosus and Discoid lupus erythematosus.
Systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common and debilitating form which can cause inflammation of the joints, tendons, connective tissue and major organs such as the kidneys and heart. However, the most obvious symptom is a butterfly-shaped rash which occurs across the cheeks and nose.
Causes of Lupus
It's generally believed that lupus is caused by alterations in the immune system. The body's immune system normally fights foreign bacteria and viruses; however, with lupus, the immune system may fail to recognize "self" substances and will make antibodies that attack the body's own tissue. This is called autoimmunity. The body may also fail to clear antigens (foreign particles), and certain white blood cells may behave abnormally.
Genetics
Most researchers feel that it is likely that there is a genetic component to lupus. The condition can be considered hereditary in that people who have a family history or lupus itself, other autoimmune condtions, or allergic conditions, seem to be at increased risk of developing the disease. This is not to say that everyone with a family history such as this will develop lupus. Researchers have not discovered a single gene that is linked to lupus but have found groups of genes, particularly on chromosomes 6, 16 and 20, which seem to indicate a person is at greater risk of developing the condition.
Symptoms of Lupus
SLE symptoms may develop slowly over months or years, or they may appear suddenly. Symptoms tend to be worse during winter months, perhaps because prolonged exposure to sunlight in the summer causes a gradual build-up of factors that trigger symptoms months later.
Each person with lupus has slightly different symptoms that can range from mild to severe and may come and go over time. However, some of the most common symptoms of lupus include painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained fever, and extreme fatigue. A characteristic red skin rash (the so-called butterfly or malar rash) may appear across the nose and cheeks. Affecting what the Lupus Foundation of America estimates is 500,000 to 1.5 million Americans, lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys
Lupus treated
Steroids. Steroid creams can be applied directly to rashes. The use of creams is usually safe and effective, especially for mild rashes. The use of steroid creams or tablets in low doses can be effective for mild or moderate features of lupus. Steroids also can be used in higher doses when internal organs are threatened. Unfortunately, high doses also are most likely to produce side effects.
Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine)Commonly used to help keep mild lupus-related problems, such as skin and joint disease, under control. This drug is also effective at preventing lupus flares.
antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine phosphate or hydroxychloroquine for rashes, arthritis and malaise
immunosuppressive and cytotoxic drugs such as Immuran (azathioprine) and Cytoxan (cycyclophosphamide) are prescribed with vital organs are involved and/or corticosteroids aren't effective.
My LYMPH NODES are extremely palpable (for years) i have lost TOO MUCH WEIGHT, what is wrong?
Hello….if anyone would like to try to DIAGNOSE ME, I’d be SO GRATEFUL AT THIS POINT!
….. i’m 30 year old female, with a 10 year old son and had a thoracic fore gut tumor(benign) removed from my chest @ 15, a good portion of which was attached to my lungs, aorta,esophagus, Trachea.
To Date- no known complications or regrowth.
109 lbs
5’3″
hypothyroid, on synthroid
Had IUD recently placed in cervix
amphetamine salts,celexa, lorazapam for depression/fatigue and ADD
MY SYMPTOMS:
CURRANTLY AND THIS PAST YEAR: Generalized Swollen lymph glands(some firm and hard in groin area. Also where my hairline is in the back of my neck behind my ear i guess, and a few large ones up the side of my neck aligned with my shoulder), Re currant low Grade Fever(no higher than 101 w/out infection),Itchy Skin, Memory Loss,Hair loss, Acne,Bowel Changes,On and Off fatigue, mucus in my stool(for one year at least.More mucus than actual stool on average! SORRY TO BE SO GRAPHIC! Lower Back Pain, DULL ACHING PAIN on the inside of my knees,stiff neck,ankle pain after being on my feet for more than an hour.Also extremely dry; mouth,skin,hair,eyes,&nostrils, dizziness upon standing, sweats,wounds heal slowly, weird painless swelling above my butt where my dimples are(no dr has been able to guess why/what this swelling might be),diarrhea and constipation, tenderness above my belly button, hyper pigmentation on abdomen, arms and feet, anxiety, blood pressure has steadily increased throughout all of my many dr’s visits this past yr.
ADDED RECENT SYMPTOMS:Kidney pain, visible blood in urine: for 2 months now! it was bright red and then less visible for awhile and now dark brown like tea and extremely strong smelling, hardening and bloating of abdomen, extreme fatigue, productive cough, chest pain, neck pain,easily exhausted, unexplainable bruises, muscle spasms and bulging type pain JUST under my rib on both sides separately, weird stabbing pain on my left groin area near my larger lymph glands that makes my tendon look swollen, thrush, protein in urine, HI albumin in urine, repetitive rbc in urine, BUT NO INFECTION!! (multiple negative cultures), kidney stone shows on CT in an area that is expected to be asymptomatic and may not even pass. BUT I DO HAVE difficulty urinating and cramping JUST PRESCRIBED CIPRO FOR A SECOND TREATMENT. (not sure exactly why since culture is consistantly negative)
Many tests HAVE BEEN DONE: …..All Basics(CB C’s, liver, etc panels) + Lyme Disease,Hep(B,C etc), ANA,Sed Rate,R.F.,AIDS, Celiac Disease,Fecal Bacterial+Viral cultures,Lupus,Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydiae,Anemia, scleroderma, h. pylori, bladder cancer,
P.C.P. says: hematologist &will do allergy & routine testing upon insurance ok
E.N.T(ear,Nose&throat) says: inflammation or irritation down deep in my throat(but i smoke so…)
GASTROENTROLOGIST says: gastritis, hemorrhoids,IBS, lymphoid aggragates in non lymph areas
UROLOGIST says: extreme gross & microscopic unexplained hematuria, referral to hematologist(concerned about enlarged lymph’s in groin and unexplained hematuria———says kidney stone most likely not causing this amount of rbc,did FISH URINE TEST…NO CALL SO I’M GUESSING ALL CLEAR ON RESULTS)
HEMATOLOGIST says: i’m thin so nodes are more palpable s we should wait. does not believe biopsy is neccessary at this point
RHUEHEMATOLOGIST says: no signs autoimmune, non arthritic/ lupus like disease
GYNOGYNECOLOGIST says: no infection, no discharge see urologist…
DERMOTOLOGIST says: see rhuemotologist! lol, biopsied pigmented marks(inconclusive-possibe allergic reaction)
i am waiting on results of a chest CT from HEMATOLOGIST because he heard alot in my lungs and another aids test(that’ll be 4 tests in the last yr(all negative)
I’M SURE THERE IS MORE INFO I”M NOT OFFERRING
but i can’t remember everything! lol any EDUCATED ADVICE would be appreciated
THANK YOU!!!! i feel so helpless when i am sooo tired or weak….. i just want a solution!
PLEASE HELP!
doing a case study-not lupus or lyme disease. what do u think?
A 50 year-old male who recently recovered from the flu comes in complaining of aches and stiffness in his joints. He is given an aspirin and sent home. Weeks later he returns with generalized aching and stiffness again, he is found to have TMJ with malocclusion. He says the stiffness is at its worst first thing in the morning and after his afternoon naps. He has inflamed wrists and fingers (showing all four signs of inflammation). He has a low grade fever and also suffers from fatigue and anorexia.
what could it beeeeeeee?