Post by Admin on Nov 8, 2024 10:10:31 GMT
Lupus
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupus
Lupus, technically known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in many parts of the body.[1] Symptoms vary among people and may be mild to severe.[1] Common symptoms include painful and swollen joints, fever, chest pain, hair loss, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, feeling tired, and a red rash which is most commonly on the face.[1] Often there are periods of illness, called flares, and periods of remission during which there are few symptoms.[1]
The cause of SLE is not clear.[1] It is thought to involve a combination of genetics and environmental factors.[4] Among identical twins, if one is affected there is a 24% chance the other one will also develop the disease.[1] Female sex hormones, sunlight, smoking, vitamin D deficiency, and certain infections are also believed to increase a person's risk.[4] The mechanism involves an immune response by autoantibodies against a person's own tissues.[1] These are most commonly anti-nuclear antibodies and they result in inflammation.[1] Diagnosis can be difficult and is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory tests.[1] There are a number of other kinds of lupus erythematosus including discoid lupus erythematosus, neonatal lupus, and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.[1]
There is no cure for SLE,[1] but there are experimental and symptomatic treatments.[5] Treatments may include NSAIDs, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, hydroxychloroquine, and methotrexate.[1] Although corticosteroids are rapidly effective, long-term use results in side effects.[6] Alternative medicine has not been shown to affect the disease.[1] Men have higher mortality.[7] SLE significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, with this being the most common cause of death.[4] While women with lupus have higher risk pregnancies, most are successful.[1]
Rate of SLE varies between countries from 20 to 70 per 100,000.[2] Women of childbearing age are affected about nine times more often than men.[4] While it most commonly begins between the ages of 15 and 45, a wide range of ages can be affected.[1][2] Those of African, Caribbean, and Chinese descent are at higher risk than those of European descent.[4][2] Rates of disease in the developing world are unclear.[8] Lupus is Latin for 'wolf': the disease was so-named in the 13th century as the rash was thought to appear like a wolf's bite.[9]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupus
Lupus, technically known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in many parts of the body.[1] Symptoms vary among people and may be mild to severe.[1] Common symptoms include painful and swollen joints, fever, chest pain, hair loss, mouth ulcers, swollen lymph nodes, feeling tired, and a red rash which is most commonly on the face.[1] Often there are periods of illness, called flares, and periods of remission during which there are few symptoms.[1]
The cause of SLE is not clear.[1] It is thought to involve a combination of genetics and environmental factors.[4] Among identical twins, if one is affected there is a 24% chance the other one will also develop the disease.[1] Female sex hormones, sunlight, smoking, vitamin D deficiency, and certain infections are also believed to increase a person's risk.[4] The mechanism involves an immune response by autoantibodies against a person's own tissues.[1] These are most commonly anti-nuclear antibodies and they result in inflammation.[1] Diagnosis can be difficult and is based on a combination of symptoms and laboratory tests.[1] There are a number of other kinds of lupus erythematosus including discoid lupus erythematosus, neonatal lupus, and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.[1]
There is no cure for SLE,[1] but there are experimental and symptomatic treatments.[5] Treatments may include NSAIDs, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, hydroxychloroquine, and methotrexate.[1] Although corticosteroids are rapidly effective, long-term use results in side effects.[6] Alternative medicine has not been shown to affect the disease.[1] Men have higher mortality.[7] SLE significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, with this being the most common cause of death.[4] While women with lupus have higher risk pregnancies, most are successful.[1]
Rate of SLE varies between countries from 20 to 70 per 100,000.[2] Women of childbearing age are affected about nine times more often than men.[4] While it most commonly begins between the ages of 15 and 45, a wide range of ages can be affected.[1][2] Those of African, Caribbean, and Chinese descent are at higher risk than those of European descent.[4][2] Rates of disease in the developing world are unclear.[8] Lupus is Latin for 'wolf': the disease was so-named in the 13th century as the rash was thought to appear like a wolf's bite.[9]