May 10th: World Lupus Day

May 10th: World Lupus Day

So many diseases are in existence that humans take no cognizance of, but the remembrance of such days bring those diseases to limelight. Also, the days like this help to curb such ‘unknown’ diseases from the world.

On that point is no boundary to the impact of lupus. Lupus is a global health problem that strikes people of all nationalities, races, ethnicities, sexes and ages. Lupus can involve any portion of the body in any direction at any time, often with unpredictable and life-altering consequences. While lupus knows no bounds, knowing all you can about lupus can help hold in its impact.

World Lupus Day is sponsored by the World Lupus Federation, a coalition of lupus patient organizations from just about the Earth, linked up to improve the quality of life for people touched by lupus. Through coordinated efforts of its world-wide affiliates, the World Lupus Federation works to create greater consciousness and understanding of lupus, provide teaching and services to people enduring with the disease, and advocate on their behalf. You can learn more at worldlupusfederation.org.

World Lupus Day serves to call attention to the impact that lupus has on people around the globe. The annual observance focuses on the need for improved patient healthcare services, increased research into the causes of and cure for lupus, earlier diagnosis and treatment of lupus, and better epidemiological data on lupus globally. World Lupus Day serves to rally lupus organizations and people affected by the disease around the cosmos for a common use of bringing greater attention and resources to efforts to stop the distress induced by this disabling and potentially fatal autoimmune disease.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that happens when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Excitement caused by lupus can affect many different body systems — including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, nerve and lungs.

Lupus can be hard to diagnose because its signals and symptoms often mimic those of other ills. The most typical sign of lupus — a facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across both cheeks — occurs in many but not all examples of lupus.

Some people are born with a tendency toward developing lupus, which may be triggered by infections, certain drugs or even sunlight. While there's no cure for lupus, treatments can help control symptoms.

The signals and symptoms of lupus that you experience will depend on which body systems are touched on by the disease. The most usual signals and symptoms include:

• Fatigue and fever


• Joint pain, stiffness and swelling


• Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that spreads over the cheeks and bridge of the olfactory organ


• Skin lesions that come out or worsen with sun exposure (photosensitivity)


• Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods (Raynaud's phenomenon)


• Shortness of breath


• Chest pain


• Dry eyes


• Headaches, confusion and memory loss

Some potential triggers include:

• Sunlight:Exposure to the sun may bring on lupus skin lesions or trigger an internal response in susceptible people.


• Infections:Having an infection can initiate lupus or cause a relapse in some people.


• Medications:Lupus can be triggered by certain types of anti-seizure medications, blood pressure medications and antibiotics. People who have drug-induced lupus usually see their symptoms go away when they stop taking the medication.

Factors that may increase your risk of lupus include:

• Your sex.Lupus is more common in women.


• Although lupus affects people of all ages, it's most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40.


• Lupus is more common in African-Americans, Hispanics and Asians.

The medications most commonly used to control lupus include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).Over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), may be used to treat pain, swelling and fever associated with lupus. Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription. Side effects of NSAIDs include stomach bleeding, kidney problems and an increased risk of heart problems.


• Antimalarial drugs.Medications commonly used to treat malaria, such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), also can help control lupus. Side effects can include stomach upset and, very rarely, damage to the retina of the eye.


• Prednisone and other types of corticosteroids can counter the inflammation of lupus, but often produce long-term side effects — including weight gain, easy bruising, thinning bones (osteoporosis), high blood pressure, diabetes and increased risk of infection. The risk of side effects increases with higher doses and longer term therapy.


• Drugs that suppress the immune system may be helpful in serious cases of lupus. Examples include azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan), mycophenolate (CellCept), leflunomide (Arava) and methotrexate (Trexall). Potential side effects may include an increased risk of infection, liver damage, decreased fertility and an increased risk of cancer. A newer medication, belimumab (Benlysta), also reduces lupus symptoms in some people. Side effects include nausea, diarrhoea and fever.

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