Overview:
Lupus Erythematosus is a chronic disease that causes inflammation in some tissues in the body. But early diagnosis is necessary to avoid any damage to internal organs, such as the kidneys.
In this article, we will learn more about everything related to the disease.
What is SLE?
It is considered a chronic disease, and it occurs when the immune system attacks the healthy organs and tissues of the body, and this is a natural reaction in the case of a suspected infection in the bloodstream.
It appears as a rash on the face, and the injured can live their lives naturally with treatment. (1)
Symptoms of systemic lupus Erythematosus:
Sometimes the symptoms can differ, but these are the common symptoms of the disease:
- Pain and swelling in the joints
- Exhaustion
- Headache
- Rash on the cheek and nose
- Hair loss
- Anemia
- Fingers turn white or blue and numb in the case of cold.
Any other symptoms depend on the part of the body that was attacked, whether it was the digestive system, the skin, or the heart. (1)
Causes of SLE:
The cause of the disease is not known, but it depends on several factors, such as:
1- Hereditary genes
Lupus is not related to a specific gene, but often people with the disease are a member of their family who has another autoimmune disease.
2- Gender and hormones
This disease affects women more than men, and women suffer from more severe symptoms during pregnancy and menstruation.
3- Environmental factors
Exposure of the body to ultraviolet radiation increases the risk of disease.
4- Some medicine
Some medications can cause the disease, such as epilepsy and blood pressure medications, and antibiotics. (1)
Complications of SLE:
Over time, the disease can cause complications in the body’s systems, such as:
- Inflammation of the heart
- Blood clots
- Inflammation of the lining and tissues of the lung
- Weakness in kidney function
- kidneys failure
- Heart attack or stroke
Types of lupus:
There are four main types of lupus:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
This type is considered the most common type and affects many organs, especially the skin, kidneys, and joints.
Cutaneous lupus
It is divided into three types:
1- Acute cutaneous lupus
2- Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus or discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)
The main symptom of cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a skin rash, and it can leave large scars, most often on the face, neck, and scalp, or it can be inside or on the ear, and it makes the skin distorted and has deep scars. It can cause complete hair loss.
This type is considered the most common among smokers, Africans, and Americans.
3- Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
neonatal lupus
This affects newborns, its symptoms are that it causes a rash, liver problems, or anemia, but it disappears after a few months and does not cause any permanent harm. (2)
Can lupus be treated permanently?
Treatment differs according to symptoms and the case.
Treatment can be through:
1- Analgesics treat pain, swelling, and fever associated with lupus erythematosus, but an excess of analgesics can cause stomach bleeding, and kidney failure, and increase the risk of heart disease.
2- Steroid creams that treat rashes.
3- Immunosuppressants are helpful in severe cases of lupus, but their side effects increase the risk of infection, lower fertility, and increase the risk of cancer.
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