Its the body fighting itself and making antibodies against ones own cells.
Some people have active disease while others have mild disease.
Its important to note that lupus is not contagious.
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Causes and Risk Factors of Lupus
The answer to what causes lupus?
We do not know, says Caricchio.
Diagnosing lupus can be very challenging, Dr. Ardoin says.
Symptoms may mimic other diseases and conditions, such as infections or cancer.
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Other tests for lupus depend on the symptoms patients are experiencing, says Kaplan.
For example, chest X-rays and echocardiograms may be necessary to investigate fluid around the lungs and the heart.
If doctors suspect nephritis is present, the patient may need a kidney biopsy.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help to avoid complications, he adds.
An accurate diagnosis of lupus can take time, says Caricchio.
Individuals should go on pursuing activities or hobbies they enjoyed before diagnosis, adds Caricchio.
And, he says: Women with lupus can have children.
We dont discourage having kids by any means, he says.
Duration of Lupus
Lupus is a chronic, lifelong disease.
However, most people dont experience symptoms continuously.
Instead, there are different times when symptoms appear, known as lupus flares.
Theres no way to predict when a flare will occur, says Dr. Luk.
Flare symptoms can also be wide-ranging.
Steroids may also help with inflammation associated with lupus, he says.
Blood tests also help doctors monitor levels of complement proteins, which boost the bodys immune response to infections.
Blood and urine tests are also needed to check kidney function.
If kidney problems are not detected early, the risk of renal failure and death are higher.
Theres no specific lupus diet but incorporating foods that fight inflammation can be beneficial.
Limit high-fat and processed foods.
And, avoid alfalfa it has substances that can activate your immune system.
Dietary changes may also be necessary depending on which medication youre taking for your treatment.
Maintaining overall health is key, too.
He recommends getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising, and eating a nutritious diet.
A photosensitive rash can become worse in UV light.
Good social relationships and support groups can also be important for maintaining mental health, says Ardoin.
The new research estimates that for every 100,000 people in the population, there were 72.8 cases of lupus.
There are 84.7 cases of lupus per 100,000 white women, in contrast.
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Children undergo the same diagnostic testing as adults, and treatments are similar.
We use the same drugs, says Pascual, with doses adjusted according to the childs weight.
Doctors should closely monitor children for drug side effects.
Steroids, for example, can delay growth and cause high blood pressure.
Chemotherapy can make children more prone to infections, says Pascual.
Fortunately, life expectancy in pediatric lupus has improved dramatically in the last 15 years, she says.
Lupus rates are highest in Black men, followed by Hispanic, Asian, and white men.
Cutaneous lupus affects the skin and systemic lupus affects multiple organs.
Resources We Trust
Samir Dalvi, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist.
