Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE):
It is a chronic, non-contagious autoimmune disease that can affect different parts of the body and occurs when the immune system (which normally helps protect the body from infection and disease), attacks its own tissues as if they were foreign tissues, causing inflammation and, in some cases, permanent tissue damage. This affects the skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys, blood cells, and brain.
Types of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus: It is the most common type of lupus. It is considered an autoimmune disease and often affects most of the different organs of the body.
- Cutaneous lupus: It is a type of lupus that affects the skin in the form of a rash, and usually appears in places where the skin is exposed to sunlight.
- Drug-induced lupus: occurs as a result of an exaggerated reaction to the use of certain medications. Symptoms usually appear 3 to 6 months after starting to take the medication and disappear once the medication is stopped.
- Neonatal lupus: It is a rare type that occurs when an infant passively acquires autoantibodies from a mother with lupus erythematosus.
Causes:
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. The cause is unknown, but some factors may stimulate the immune system, causing the disease. These factors include:
- Genes.
- Environment (such as viral infections, sunlight, some medications, and smoking).
- Immune and inflammatory effects mean that the body may not get rid of damaged cells naturally, which stimulates the immune system and attacks the body.
Groups at Higher Risk:
- Women are affected more than men, however, anyone can be infected with it.
- It occurs most often in people between the ages of 15 and 45 but can occur in childhood or later in life.
- A family history of lupus or any other autoimmune disease increases the risk of developing it.
Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms may appear suddenly or develop slowly and be mild or severe. They can be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus erythematosus suffer from seizures, as they go through periods of the disease in which the symptoms increase and worsen for a period, and then other periods in which the symptoms improve or disappear completely, and the signs and symptoms vary depending on the affected body systems, which include:
- Pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints.
- Extreme fatigue.
- Fever.
- Muscle pain.
- Change in weight, either by increase or decrease.
- Hair loss.
- Sores in the mouth and nose.
- A rash on the face (butterfly-shaped) or elsewhere on the body.
- Pain in the chest or abdomen.
- Swollen glands, usually in the neck, armpit, or groin.
- Poor kidney function.
- Sensitivity to the sun or light.
- Inflammation or dryness in the eye.
- Headache and memory loss.
- The fingers or toes turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during periods of psychological stress.
Systemic Lupus erythematosus attacks:
These are times when symptoms get worse. Swelling and a rash may be noticed one week and disappear the next. Some attacks are mild, but others are serious and require medical care. Lupus scars often have warning signs. Attacks can be prevented or made less frequent when spotting warning signs and get treatment quickly, which includes:
- Feeling more tired than usual.
- Feeling pain.
- The appearance of a skin rash.
- High body temperature.
- Stomachache
- Strong headache
- Dizziness
Common triggers for a seizure include:
- Overworking and not taking enough rest.
- Exposure to the sun or close exposure to fluorescent or halogen light.
- Infection.
- Stop taking lupus medications.
- Some other types of medicines.
When to see a doctor:
- When you notice symptoms of lupus.
- When you develop a butterfly-shaped rash, this may be the first noticeable sign of lupus.
- When warning signs of a seizure appear.
Complications:
- Coronary artery disease.
- Osteoporosis.
- Kidney problems.
Treatment:
There is no definitive treatment, but lifestyle changes and taking certain medications can help control it, which include:
- Pain killers.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Immunosuppressive medications.
- Cortisone.
Prevention:
There is no way to prevent lupus, but the incidence can be reduced by avoiding triggers (such as: sunlight, stress, smoking, lack of sleep, etc.).
Instructions for people with systemic lupus erythematosus:
- Make sure to eat a healthy and balanced diet, including vitamin D and calcium.
- Recognize the warning signs of a seizure to reduce and prevent them (such as: increased fatigue, joint swelling, or pain).
- Lupus increases your risk of getting an infection (such as influenza or pneumonia), so your doctor will likely recommend getting influenza and pneumonia vaccine.
- Work with your doctor to determine the best treatment plan and take your medications as prescribed.
- Get enough sleep and rest.
- Practice physical activity regularly.
- Do not focus on the disease and spend some time practicing activities that you enjoy.
- Reduce stress and tension and try relaxation techniques; To prevent symptoms from getting worse.
- Do not touch or rub spots and rashes on the skin
- Use a sunscreen (at least SPF 50) and wear a hat when going out in the sun.
- Avoid sitting in direct sunlight.
- Quit smoking.