Understanding Lupus; Symptoms, Diagnosis And Treatment

Lupus is an auto-immune disease that affects the immune system. The immune system is designed to fight illness, infection, and disease to protect the body and maintain good health. When the immune system is compromised with a condition such as lupus, it works differently; rather than protecting the body from unwanted problems, the immune system begins to attack the patient's bodily organs and tissues. It is a dangerous and often debilitating problem that many live with each day. Lupus is treatable, but there is no cure.

Lupus Is Difficult To Diagnose

One of the major problems with lupus is how difficult it is to diagnose. It is not easy for medical professionals to diagnose this health issue because it presents as many other health problems. Many of the signs and symptoms a patient experiences with lupus appear very similar to other health problems, so it often takes time to diagnose and is done most often by process of elimination. This auto-immune disease is rarely diagnosed during an initial appointment or even soon after a patient begins experiencing health problems.

What Causes Lupus?

There are various causes of lupus, though doctors have yet to pinpoint precisely what causes this debilitating auto-immune disease. It is typically believed lupus is caused by a combination of genetic issues as well as environmental factors. Some patients are born with the predisposition to develop this disease, and it is often triggered by sun exposure, infections, and medications prescribed to some people who suffer from high blood pressure, seizures, and even standard antibiotics. If a patient is suffering from lupus as a result of taking medication, they may find their body returns to normal once they stop taking the medication that causes their immune system to attack their healthy organs and tissues.