Non-Communicable Diseases

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Lupus

Overview:

Lupus chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of various body tissues.
It can affect any part of the body, for which reason it is deemed to be a serious disease.
Early diagnosis is important after the onset of symptoms to prevent internal organs from being affected (e.g. the kidneys).
Medical interventions and lifestyle changes can help control the symptoms.

What is lupus?

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that could damage any part of the body (e.g. skin, joints, organs). It is not a communicable disease.

Types of Lupus:

Systemic lupus erythematosus: the most common type, which can be severe or mild, and can affect various parts of the body.
Discoid Lupus eryrthematosus: affects the skin in the form of a rash. Could affect any part of the body, but usually appears when exposed to the sun.
Drug-induced lupus: occurs as a result of some medications, where the symptoms usually disappear within six months of stopping the medication. It rarely impacts the major organs.
Neonatal lupus (rare): affects newborns as they obtain antibodies from the infected mother's body.

Other names:

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus, systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Lupus

Cause:

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's immune system attacks its own tissue. Although the cause remains unknown, lupus is likely linked to environmental, genetic and hormonal factors. People who have a genetic predisposition to lupus may develop the disease when stimuli appear, including:

Exposure to the sun;
Some medicines (e.g. hypertension medications, antiepileptic drugs and antibiotics);
Infection.

Risk Factors:

Sex: it is more common among women;
Age: although it can affect all ages, lupus is usually detected among people aged 15 - 45 years;
Family history;
Stress;
Physical exhaustion.

Symptoms:

Signs or symptoms could appear suddenly or progress slowly. They could be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. Most patients suffer attacks where the symptoms and signs worsen for some time then improve or disappear completely. Signs and symptoms also depend on the affected systems in the body, including:

Pain, stiffness and swelling of joints
Severe fatigue
Ulcers in the mouth and nose
Face rash (taking the shape of a butterfly) or in other places in the body
Chest pain
Impaired kidney function
Photosensitivity
Shortness of breath
Eye dryness
Headaches and memory loss
Fingers and toes turning white or blue when expose to coldness or when stressed

When to see a doctor?

You must see a doctor when the following symptoms occur:

Unexplainable skin rash;
Constant pain or fatigue;
Weight loss;
Gland swelling;
Weak blood circulation in fingers or toes (Raynaud's disease).

Complications:

Kidney failure
Strokes
Memory issues
Anemia or blood coagulation
Bleeding in the lungs and pneumonia
Endocarditis or myocarditis
Increased risk of abortion
Increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, cancer and osteoporosis

Diagnosis:

There is no specific test to diagnose Lupus, because the symptoms vary from person to another, but the diagnosis may include:

Medical history;
Family history;
Current symptoms;
Laboratory tests: blood and urine tests;
Other tests: X-ray scans.

Treatment:

There is no treatment for lupus, but lifestyle changes and some medications can help control the symptoms, including:

Analgesics;
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
Immunosuppressive drugs;
Cortisone.

Prevention:

There is no way to prevent lupus, but symptoms could be eliminated by avoiding stimuli (e.g. exposure to the sun, stress, smoking, lack of sleep and others).

Guidelines for lupus patients:

Maintain a healthy balanced diet.
Get sufficient rest.
Exercise regularly.
Avoid exhaustion and attempting to utilize relaxation techniques
Use sunscreen products and wearing hats for sun protection
Avoid staying in direct sun light.
Stop smoking.

FAQ:

Could lupus affect pregnancy?

Lupus can cause complications in pregnancy, so check with your doctor before conception, to discuss the risks and change medications if necessary.

Can lupus patients get vaccines?

Vaccines are not recommended in case of active lupus, but for some inactive or stable lupus cases, some vaccines could be taken. It is recommended to consult with your doctor in such cases.

Myths & Truths:

Physical activities could be harmful for lupus patients.

Truth: Light to moderate exercises could be useful for patients, as they could ease joint stiffness and muscle pain

Lupus is similar to cancer.

Truth: Cancer is a case of abnormal malignant tissue that grows rapidly and spreads in surrounding tissues. Lupus, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease, but some treatments for lupus may include immunosuppressive drugs, which are also used in chemotherapy.

Health Promotion and Clinical Education General Department

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