The Particular Symptoms Of Lupus Evolution

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The Particular Symptoms Of Lupus Evolution

Lupus represents a real menace for the life of the affected persons. It has chronic and autoimmune character. The body's healthy cells and the very genetic material are under attack because of the malfunction of the immune system. The consequences are severe and so are the damages produced on the internal organs. Systemic lupus erythematosus is only one disease from the large variety produced by this organic chaos. This type of lupus is very frequent and it affects 2 millions Americans; most of them are dealing with serious forms.

Despite the remarkable progress registered in modern medicine, a treatment to cure lupus completely was not found. But there are medicines able to prevent the evolution of the disorder and to keep symptoms controlled. SLE is a very unpredictable disease with multiple remissions and relapses. Even if there are times in which the symptoms back off, these are usually followed by violent and varied return of the symptoms. These fluctuations are determined by the chronic character of the disease. The alternations of remission and recurrences require permanent treatment and modifications of the doses.

This disease has a different, almost individual character for every case. Both the symptoms and the degree of severity vary widely from one patient to another. In the early phase, lupus presents flu – like symptoms: weakness of the body, muscular and articular pain, loss of appetite, low fever, fatigue or headache. These symptoms, that do not particularly belong to lupus evolve after a few months into oral and nasal lesions, sunlight – amplified skin rashes, inflammation of the articulations, permanent muscular pain, significant weight fluctuation, painful breathing and loss of hair. Additional symptoms are detected by analysis performed in laboratory: the presence of malign anti – DNA antibodies, antinuclear antibodies inside the blood and abnormalities in the number of the blood cells.

In case the nervous system is affected, the following symptoms appear: incapacity to focus, faints, mental confusion, seizures and possible development of mania, paranoia or depression.

In case the cardiovascular system is affected new symptoms indicating lupus show up: high pulse rate, hypertension, hyperactivity of the heart. This can lead to severe heart problems.

Due to the large variety of symptoms and to their unpredictable intensity, which gives the disease an individual character, individualized treatment has also been developed. Each person with lupus receives the medications that suite his/her case's symptoms. A great influence on the treatment is that of the stage in which it was discovered; the best treatment results are obtained in the cases that are identified in early stages. Untreated and uncontrolled lupus has extremely damaging effects on the patient's health.

Rash, A Sign Of The Autoimmune Character Of Lupus

The symptoms of lupus and its intensity are different from one case to another. It is an autoimmune disease, which occurs when the immune system abnormally releases its antinuclear antibodies and directs their attack against the organism's own healthy tissues including, in some cases, even the DNA. The genetic material is thus altered itself by the aggressive action of the anti – DNA antibodies. This organic chaos generates extremely damaging actions on the organs, causing kidney, heart or lung diseases, conditions of the nervous system – such as brain disease, skin affection like lupus rash, erythematous lesions, or musculoskeletal system problems (osteoporosis, arthritis).

Different patients usually experience different lupus symptoms. But the one that is constantly present in many cases is rash, in one of its two existing forms: systemic and discoid. It is the first sign of lupus and also the most persistent, unlike the others that appear and disappear over and over again.

This symptom affects the areas with increased exposure to the sunlight – the most dangerous enemy of a person with lupus – such as face, neck, shoulders and scalp. It is also possible for it to affect the chest, feet, palms and back and it usually comes with lesions of the skin. On the face, lupus generates the aspect of a red, burned skin and may also extend over the tissues that surround the nose and the mouth.

The systemic lupus erythematosus can be improved by the proper treatment. It doesn't scar the skin, unless it is exposed to sunlight for large intervals.

The second form, the discoid lupus produces extended lesions in more than one body part. This form leads to the skin exfoliation, hyper – pigmentation and generates crusts. It usually leaves scars because its damaging actions get deeper in the skin layers. Serious scaring will remain on the skin in case the rush also involves papules, crust and intense scaling. Once it attacks the scalp, alopecia occurs (the loss of hair that may be temporary or permanent).

Another type of lupus rash is the subacute cutaneous form, which can be encountered in both systemic and discoid lupus. It affects the parts with the highest degree of solar exposure and takes the form of circular, scaly patches that have increasing surfaces of extension. It doesn't completely disappear but it enters remission. The healing process involves hypo – pigmentation, without scarring. This type of rash can be successfully kept under control by the adequate medicines.

Solar exposure should be absolutely avoided in any type of lupus rash because it will seriously worsen the condition.

by: Tobias Higgens

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Learn what is lupus or about the symptoms of lupus and lupus treatment

Article Source: iSnare.com