Lupus: An overview

DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor. I speak from experience but have no proper medical training. I am in no way telling you how lupus should be treated or that every case is like mine. No two cases of lupus are identical. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions regarding lupus.

I would say that the majority of people have at least heard of lupus. The problem I keep encountering is that while the name rings a bell to most...it is difficult to find people who actually know what it is and what it means.

A Quick Lesson
Before I start: It is okay. You are not even close to the only person who is in the dark on lupus. That is one of the reasons I have this blog. I am passionate about educating the public on this disease and why it is important. Okay, back to it. Lupus is an autoimmune disease. This basically means that your immune system is not only overactive, but turns on the body and attacks it's own organs and tissues. Lupus by definition is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when your immune system attacks your own organs and tissues. This causes inflammation and can affect many body systems - including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. Inflammation can lead to organ failure.

A Brief History
Classical: The term lupus was coined in the thirteenth century by the physician Rogerius who believed the rashes and lacerations caused by the disease resembled wolf bites. Lupus is latin for wolf.
Neoclassical: In 1872, a student named Moriz Kaposi first described the disease systemic manifestations.
Modern: In 1948, the lupus erythematosus cell was discovered. In 1954, a genetic component was discovered.
For a more extensive history, visit: http://www.resources.lupus.org/entry/history-of-lupus


What are the symptoms of lupus? 
Here is a break down:
Symptoms marked by an asterisk* are symptoms I have had or are currently experiencing. 
Symptoms marked by two asterisks ** are symptoms I experienced during my worst lupus flare and have not experienced since.

• Extreme Fatigue *
• Headaches *
• Painful or swollen joints *
• Fever **
• Anemia *
• Swelling in feet, legs, hands, and/or around eyes **
• Pain in chest on deep breathing (pleurisy) *
• Butterfly-shape rash across cheeks and nose *
• Sun or light sensitivity *
• Hair loss
• Abnormal blood clotting
• Fingers turning white and/or purple/blue (Raynaud's phenomenon) *
• Mouth* or nose ulcers 

A very common (but not always present) symptoms is the butterfly rash. For some, the rash is redness in the shape of butterfly wings across the face. See mine below. For others, it consists of blisters in the same shape. 

There are 4 main types of lupus. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE, what I have) is lupus that can affect organs. Discoid lupus which can affect the skin. Drug-induced lupus which can be caused by certain medications, and neonatal lupus.

Lupus has changed my life in more ways than I could have imagined. Subscribe and keep a look out for a future blog post about my story with lupus.

Lupus is life-long and incurable. While incurable and chronic, patients do have hope of remission. This is a time period where symptoms are dormant and lupus warriors can live a semi-normal lifestyle.

Feel free to ask any questions!