Lupus is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by the body’s immune system attacking its own tissues and organs. This condition can impact various body systems, including the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. Common symptoms of lupus encompass extreme fatigue, severe headaches, swollen or painful joints, anemia, edema, fever, a distinctive butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose, abnormal blood clotting, hair loss, and more.
The exact cause of lupus remains unknown; however, a combination of genetics, hormones, and environmental factors is believed to contribute to its onset. Individuals with a genetic predisposition to lupus may develop the disease after encountering environmental triggers.
Genetics
Lupus does not have a specific gene or group of genes directly responsible for its occurrence. However, the condition tends to cluster in certain families, suggesting a genetic component. For example, if one twin has lupus, the other twin has a heightened risk of developing the disease. Nevertheless, lupus can also affect individuals with no family history of the condition.
Scientists hypothesize that disturbances or abnormalities in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes may play a role in triggering the immune system’s response that leads to lupus. These genetic factors contribute to the dysregulation of the immune system, potentially paving the way for the development of lupus.
Environment
Your genes may decide the risk you have to develop lupus, but it takes environmental trigger to set off the illness or to bring on a flare. Some of the identified environmental triggers include:
- ultraviolet rays from the sun,
- radiations from fluorescent light bulbs,
- sulfa drugs, sun-sensitizing tetracycline drugs,
- an infection,
- a cold or a viral illness,
- exhaustion,
- an injury,
- emotional stress,
- being pregnant and
- giving birth.
Factors that may increase your risk of lupus include:
- Lupus is more common in women.
- Lupus can affect people of any age, although the illness is most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40.
- Lupus is reported more in the certain races, which include African Americans, Hispanics and Asians.
There are several medications available to manage the symptoms of lupus. As the medications have the certain risks and side-effects, therefore, so discuss the pros and cons of with your doctor beforehand.
Living a healthy lifestyle can help patients manage lupus. Understanding flares and taking preventative measures is one way to ward-off lupus’s complications. Health experts advocate the importance of wellness for those with lupus, including physical fitness, mental health and emotional well-being. For normal, fulfilling and hassle-free life, all you have to do is exercise regularly, eat healthy, relax and maintain responsive communication with your doctor.