Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease; this disease has the potential to damage any part of the body, for example the skin, joints and organs. Due to the fact this is a chronic disease, the systems will last longer than 6 weeks and potentially for many years to come.
Lupus occurs when something goes wrong with your immune system. The immune system fights off bacteria, viruses, and germs and when anything goes wrong with it, serious problems can be involved. The immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from any of these things. The problem with lupus is that your body is not able to differentiate between “foreign invaders” and healthy tissue. Lupus causes your body to produce antibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. Lupus has flares where the symptoms worsen or remissions where the symptoms improve and you might feel better.
Some interesting things to know about lupus are firstly it is not contagious, you cannot catch or get lupus from someone else even through sexual contact. Secondly, lupus is nothing like cancer. Some treatments for lupus may include drugs that are used in chemotherapy but overall, lupus and cancer do not go hand in hand. Lupus causes the immune system to be overactive unlike someone who has HIV or AIDS. Although lupus ranges from mild to life-threatening, it should always be treated by a doctor. Catching the disease soon enough and receiving proper medical care, most individuals can live full lives. Researchers estimate that around 1.5 million Americans have lupus and that more than 16,000 new cases are reported annually. Lupus is most common in women ages 15-44 but men can also develop lupus. Most people who do end up developing this disease are also between ages 15-44.
Lupus occurs when something goes wrong with your immune system. The immune system fights off bacteria, viruses, and germs and when anything goes wrong with it, serious problems can be involved. The immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from any of these things. The problem with lupus is that your body is not able to differentiate between “foreign invaders” and healthy tissue. Lupus causes your body to produce antibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. Lupus has flares where the symptoms worsen or remissions where the symptoms improve and you might feel better.
Some interesting things to know about lupus are firstly it is not contagious, you cannot catch or get lupus from someone else even through sexual contact. Secondly, lupus is nothing like cancer. Some treatments for lupus may include drugs that are used in chemotherapy but overall, lupus and cancer do not go hand in hand. Lupus causes the immune system to be overactive unlike someone who has HIV or AIDS. Although lupus ranges from mild to life-threatening, it should always be treated by a doctor. Catching the disease soon enough and receiving proper medical care, most individuals can live full lives. Researchers estimate that around 1.5 million Americans have lupus and that more than 16,000 new cases are reported annually. Lupus is most common in women ages 15-44 but men can also develop lupus. Most people who do end up developing this disease are also between ages 15-44.