While you may have heard of lupus at one time or another, do really understand what it is? Read on to learn more about lupus, lupus symptoms, and treatment.
For most people, unless they have a family member affected by the condition, the answer is no. That’s why we’ve pulled together some answers to commonly asked questions about lupus — to help spread awareness of the disease and what it entails.
Q: What is lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune condition, meaning that it gets the body’s immune system out of whack. With any kind of autoimmune disease, the immune system turns against the body rather than helping to protect it.
Lupus causes inflammation throughout the body, which negatively affects multiple organs, including the skin, kidneys, lungs and brain. It can also cause damage to the joints.
There are several kinds of lupus:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common type of lupus and affects the entire body.
- Cutaneous lupus erythematosus affects only the skin.
- Drug-induced lupus is temporary and caused by certain medications.
- Neonatal lupus is rare and affects newborn babies.
Q: Who does lupus affect?
More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are diagnosed each year, and more than 1.5 million Americans currently live with the condition. Worldwide, around 5 million people have lupus.
Lupus can develop in anyone, but it’s by far most common among women ages 15 to 44. That means women of childbearing age are at the greatest risk of developing the condition.
Lupus occurs 10 times more often in women than it does in men.
Among women, women of color are more likely to develop the condition. African-American women are three times as likely as Caucasian women to develop lupus, and the condition is also more common among Hispanic, Asian and Native-American women.
In addition to being more likely to develop the condition, African-American women are also more likely to be diagnosed at an earlier age and to suffer more severe symptoms.
Q: What are some common lupus symptoms?
Symptoms vary depending on the area of the body affected by the condition. But those with lupus may experience:
- Extreme fatigue
- Fever
- Anemia
- Swelling in the extremities
- Headaches
- Painful or swollen joints
- Hair loss
- Sun sensitivity
- Butterfly-shaped rash on face
- Pain when breathing deeply
Because lupus causes inflammation throughout the entire body, it also raises a person’s risk of developing certain serious health conditions, including heart disease, kidney disease and osteoporosis, among others.
Of those, kidney disease is the most common. More than half of people with lupus develop kidney problems — a condition known as lupus nephritis. Because the signs of kidney problems are often silent, it’s important for those with lupus to undergo regular testing of kidney function.
Q: How is lupus treated?
Lupus is a chronic condition with no known cure at present. Because of that, the goal of treatment is to put the disease into remission, to treat symptoms as they occur and to prevent long-lasting, serious complications.
Treatment may include a variety of medications, including over-the-counter or prescription NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), corticosteroids and immune suppressants, and antimalarial drugs, which have been shown as effective in treating multiple symptoms, including fatigue, rashes and mouth sores.
Most recently, the FDA approved a biologic medication for the treatment of active lupus in 2011 — the first new medication approved for treating lupus in decades.
Beyond formal treatment options, those with lupus can help manage their condition by staying moderately active and avoiding excessive sun exposure. Sun exposure has been shown to cause lupus flareups.
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of lupus, your first stop should be your primary care doctor. He or she can then refer you to a rheumatologist if necessary. Learn more about University Rheumatology Associates here.
My mom has lupus, does this mean I will get it or am I at a higher risk of getting it?
Hi Amanda, thank you for your question. The genetic factors of lupus are still being studied, but your primary care physician may be able to address matters specific to your family history.
I think so! My grandmother had it. Her aunt on her fathers side had it & I have it as well. My 1st cousin has it as well. I participated in a study & my immediate family was studied. My father, whose mother had it tested with a positive ANA as did I. My brother & mother tested negative. I think my father carries the gene & at least in our case it skipped a generation.
I have had Lupus for 10 yrs now, I hate now just like in the beginning!! It’s horrible, you never know what tomorrow brings! I wish for a cure or at least for a medicine to help me & other Lupies!
Thank u for making me feel again it’s like no gets it one day I’m great next I’m down 3 days thank u all for sharing
I have food sensitivities, avoiding these food groups controls high levels of joint pain. I also have eyelid swelling and mouth sores. Avoiding these foods also seems to give me more energy, not so much fatigue.
Thank you for sharing what works for you, Pamela!
I control mine with diet also. Did not want to take the dangerous drugs. I’m doing great and only have occasional joint paint…usually when I cheat on my diet!
How is Lupus diagnosed?
Hi Jackie, thank you for your question. There are multiple ways to test for lupus. Please contact your primary care provider so that he or she can determine the best course of action.
Ihave LUPUS TOOK CEMO AND FEEL BETTER!
I have been told by my primary doc that I have Lupus. RA levels were high. Now I have a new doc and he said I don’t test positive for it. If I get a lot of sun exposure I get very sick. Always tired and my joints hurt all the time. Sun exposure is the worst. I once had a doc tell me keep getting burnt and you will die. I stay under an umbrella or just don’t go out until sun goes down.
I’ve had Lupus for sometime now but my primary care doctor doesn’t seem to take it serious so I don’t know where to go from here. My hair falls out and I have my good days and my bad. I need help.
You need a rheumatologist
Is there a test to see if you have lupus?
Hi Cynthia, there are multiple ways to test for lupus. Please contact your primary care provider so that he or she can determine the best course of action.
I have lupus. I am currently having a flare up. I have a low grade fever, mouth sores, sore joints, psoriasis, fatigue and overall malaise.
I was diagnosed with lupus 25 years ago. But when I go to the Dr sometimes the blood work shows I have it and then other times it shows I don’t have it. But the symptoms are always there.
I was diagnosed with Cutaneous lupus erythematosus 3 years ago after a major car accident. I’m not sure what menopause feels like but my body is constantly HOT and being in the sun intensified my body temperature.
How much do anti inflammatory RX medications help to reduce high levels of C-RProtein in the blood?
Hi Jane, thank you for your question. Your care team can better answer questions specific to your treatment and CRP levels.