...Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Abstract Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic rheumatic autoimmune disease that affects multiple organ systems. The exact cause or causes of (SLE) is unknown, however genetic factors, gender, ethnic origin, and environmental factors have all been implicated in its development. Earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment options have significantly improved survival rates and life quality. Medical and pharmacologic treatment is usually tailored to the specific symptoms or organ systems that are involved due to its unpredictability and range of manifestations. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus affects primarily women of childbearing age and mostly in Asian, African American, and Hispanic populations. Treatment options include steroids, antimalarial drugs, and immunosuppressive agents. This overview will examine the etiology and effects of Lupus, how it impacts fertility and pregnancy in women, and life quality and expectancy. Various treatment options and alternative treatment methods will be discussed; considerations for employment and rehabilitation will be reviewed, as well as the future of therapeutic approaches. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Introduction The name “Lupus” is Latin for wolf and may have first been used to describe the lesions that resembled the bite marks and scratches made by a wolf's attack. The term “Lupus Erythematosus” was first introduced by physicians in the nineteenth century to describe skin lesions...
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...LUPUS(SLE) Lupus (SLE) Introduction While there are numerous diseases that threaten the health of people, there are some that have only been discovered or are being attributed to the recent developments in medical sciences. Among the new kinds of diseases, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a major threat. Lupus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, which makes the affected person's immune system hyperactive (Hughes, 2000). This entices the immune system into treating all living structures as foreign. As a result, the immune system directs antibodies even towards the healthy tissue in the body since they also register as antigens for the system (Rhines, 2012). The symptoms of the disease manifests in different ways, such as in the form of tissue inflammation, or swelling. In severe cases it can even manifest in the organ systems damaging lungs, heart, kidneys, and even blood (Lahita & Phillips, 2004). Symptoms are different from person to person and at times be transient. Some of the more common symptoms include: Skin rash that may be widespread and exacerbated with exposure to sunlight, photophobia, fatigue, and chest pain when taking deep breaths (A.D.A.M., 2011). Many people maintain the opinion that there is only one type of Lupus. However, this is not the case. There are numerous kinds of lupus with the most common being Lupus (SLE) – often termed as generic Lupus. This form attacks entire organs systems...
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...Abstract There are four types of lupus, systemic lupus erythematous, discoid, drug-induced, and neonatal lupus. Systemic lupus erythematous, also known as SLE or lupus and is sometimes called the “great imitator” due to the fact that it mnemonics so many other diseases. Family practice offices often misdiagnose lupus due to lack of symptoms at the time of visit, patients being poor historians and lab work that is inconclusive at that time. Discoid lupus affects only the skin and causes rashes and lesions mostly of the face, neck and scalp. During drug-induced lupus the person will experience lupus like symptoms. These symptoms usually resolve within six months after the drug is stopped. Individuals with drug- induced lupus may have a positive Antinuclear Antibody test more years after the episode. Neonatal lupus occurs when a child is born to a women with lupus. The infant may have lupus symptoms including rashes, anemia and liver problem which usually resolve within a few months. Some infants born to mothers with lupus may have serious heart defects. For the purpose of this paper the focus will be on systemic lupus erythematous. Systemic Lupus Erythematous Systemic lupus erythematous is a complex multisystem autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system misfires and makes autoantibodies that attacks its own tissue. Lupus affects as many as 1.5 million people in America. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2007) Women are more commonly affected...
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...The Lupus Foundation of America approximates that there are around 1.5 million Americans affected by a form of lupus (Rooney 54). There are two main factions of lupus: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). The popular depiction of lupus as a disease associated with lesions and superficial symptoms is not necessarily an accurate portrait. Although Lupus Erythematosus gets its name from the Latin word lupus (wolf) because the lesions resembles the pattern of a wolf bite, the most common form of the disease is SLE which does not require lesions as a criteria for diagnosis (Rooney 56). The underlying concern that both DLE and SLE share is their label as an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases work by attacking self antigens and tissues as if they were foreign (McKinley, O’Loughlin and Bidle 856). By analyzing a deconstructed look at lupus we hope to gain an insight into lupus’ pathological effect on the body and its relation to the immune system. SLE occurs when the body begins to attack its own tissues without known cause. Although there is not a definitive known cause for SLE, autoantibodies can combine to form immune complexes which can effectively damage internal tissue and the hyperactivity of b-cells contributes to the symptoms (Pullen, Brewer and Ballard 23) (Porth 1422). Genetic predisposition to SLE is evidenced by an increased concordance rate in twins (10-fold), increased incidences within family members (10%-16%), and increased...
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...Lupus is one of many disorders of the immune system. Like lupus and other autoimmune diseases, causes the immune system to turn against body parts it is designated to protect, causing inflammation and damage to various body organs. Some of the parts that can be affected include the joints, kidneys, skin, heart, lungs, brain, and blood vessels. People with lupus disease must understand and learn how to avoid flares and how to deal with it. According to various research and studies, lupus is more common in women and can run in families. I would like to take a moment to talk to you about my husband. For years he suffered from headaches, joint pains and inflammation. Two years ago his family doctor sending to have an antinuclear antibody...
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... LUPUS AWARENESS ESSAY Throughout the world today there is an estimated amount of 5 million people who has a disease called lupus erythematosus. Lupus erythematosus can be a fatal disease to those who have it. As defined on several sites lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the human body. Saying chronic simply means the symptoms may last longer than six weeks and often many times for years. Lupus is normally found in women of childbearing ages 15-44. There is not yet a cure for the disease. In this essay I will further discuss the diagnosis of lupus and its four branches. I will also be discussing the many symptoms of lupus and the treatments that are used to contain the disease. Now let’s look into how the disease is diagnosed. To start of with, lupus erythematosus is once again defined as a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of your body. What this means is your body immune system cannot tell the difference between your bodies healthy tissues and the foreign invaders. So your body will then create autoantibodies that will attack and destroy your bodies healthy tissues. The autoaintibodies that is created will then cause inflammation, and pain. There are four branches of lupus erythematosus. (1) The first branch is systemic lupus erythematosus which is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that attacks nearly every organ in your body (skin, joints, brain, lungs, kidneys, blood, and central nervous system)...
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...live with Lupus and more than 16,000 new cases are reported across the country each year (LUPUS Foundation of America; 2011). Lupus is an autoimmune disease that is chronic and can cause damage to any part of the body. The body’s immune system produces proteins referred to as antibodies. These antibodies help to provide protection for the body from invaders. Our immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and our body’s healthy tissues; therefore autoantibodies attack and ultimately destroy healthy tissues, which is known as autoimmune or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) (LUPUS Foundation of America; 2011). Inflammation, pain, and damage to other various parts of the body are due to these autoantibodies. The causes of SLE are genes, environment, and genetic factors. Even though researchers and scientists are unsure of just how genetic factors may alter or affect the immune system; researchers estimate that 20 - 100 different genetic factors may make a person susceptible to SLE (The New York Times; 2011). Environmental triggers can set off a flare of this disease. Environmental triggers can be ultraviolet rays from either the sun and/or fluorescent light bulbs, sulfa drugs that causes more sensitivity to the sun, penicillin and other antibiotic drugs, an infection, a cold and/or a viral illness, exhaustion, an injury, emotional stress and anything that causes stress to the body (LUPUS Foundation...
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...Lupus an Autoimmune Disease Human Body Professor E. December 2012 Abstract Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a complex disease characterized by the appearance of autoantibodies against nuclear antigens and the involvement of multiple organ systems, including the kidneys. The exact events that trigger the onset of clinical manifestations of SLE are not yet well understood. However, research using various mouse strains impulsive and inducible lupus in the last two decades has provided insights into the role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of this disease. According to our present understanding, the immunological defects resulting in the development of SLE can be categorized into two phases: (a) systemic autoimmunity resulting in increased serum antinuclear and antiglomerular autoantibodies and (b) immunological events that occur within the target organ and result in end organ damage. TABLE OF CONTENT Abstract…………………………………………………………………….....2 Introduction…………………………………………………………………..4 Discussion……………………………………………………………………..5 What is lupus? Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease, which causes inflammation of various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints and kidneys. The body’s immune system normally makes proteins called antibodies to protect the body against viruses, bacteria and other foreign materials. These foreign materials are called antigens. In an autoimmune disorder such as lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell the difference...
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...Tyler Crow Cameron Carroll BIOL 2010 Disease Project 11-10-14 Systematic Lupus Erythematosus My partner and I chose to do our project over systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects connective tissues. This disease has a “sister” form called discoid lupus erythematosus; this disease only affects the skin. For this project, however, we are only going to discuss the much more severe form of systematic lupus. A few facts about SLE is that it strikes women eight more times often than men; thus further, 15 times more often in childbearing years (Springhouse 433). This essay will cover the symptoms, etiology (cause), diagnosis, and treatment for SLE. The symptoms of SLE include intense joint pain and swelling, extreme risk and often development of arthritis, skin rash, sensitivity to sunlight, hair loss, breathing discomfort, mouth sores and fatigue (National Institute of Health). If the disease is severe and affects multiple parts of the body the symptoms can then range from brain and nervous system issues, abdominal pain, arrhythmias, lung problems including coughing up blood, and renal complications. Renal complications can cause swelling in the legs, and weight gain. All these symptoms are rarely seen in a single patient. The symptoms depend on which part of the body is affected. The cause of SLE is still unknown, however evidence strongly points to the antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) that attack its own cells...
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...into contact with someone who has Systemic Lupus Erythematosus whether it was a family member or just an acquaintance. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is considered to be a complex disease, and the cause is idiopathic. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a chronic disease where symptoms can worsen and alternate depending on the condition of the patient’s body. In addition, researchers are constantly investigating the cause, diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Although (SLE) cannot be cured patients can still live a normal life. Thus, this research will explore Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and answer the following questions: 1. What is the cause of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? 2. What is the diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? 3. What are the symptoms of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? 4. What is the treatment for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? Hence, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus disease can never be cured it can become well maintained if the patient chooses to live a healthy lifestyle. What is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? What is the Cause of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? There is no exact cause of Systemic Lupus...
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...Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)-Hydroxychloroquine Description: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a chronic auto-immune disease that can affect and/or damage any part of the body. Systemic means that it targets systems of the body (Integumentary, Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular, Hematologic, Lymphatic, and Immune Systems) Lupus is also a disease of flairs (worsening of symptoms and illness), and remissions (alleviation of symptoms and general good health). In Lupus, there is a deviation in the Immune system, which fights off infections from germs, viruses, and bacteria. Auto-immune means that the Immune system cannot tell the difference between these “foreign” elements and the normal, healthy tissues of the body. Signs and Symptoms: Symptoms...
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...Living and Coping With Lupus Cheryl A Boyd COM/156 January 15, 2012 Jeffrey Long Living and Coping With Lupus Many things pertaining to Lupus are still a mystery. The research to find a cure is an ongoing process with no cure in the near future. What is Lupus? Lupus is a chronic and debilitating autoimmune disease. A person living with Lupus is literally under attack by his or her own body. Lupus makes the immune system attack the body’s tissues and organs. There is no part of the body that is safe from this savage attack. The skin, tissues, organs, and joints are all at risk. A person with Lupus can suffer problems involving the joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, and blood. Lupus although not as well-known as many other chronic and serious diseases such as leukemia, it is far more common. While a full life can be lived with Lupus it depends upon early diagnosis and consist treatment. Lupus left untreated can be fatal. More than 16,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lupus each year and many thousands more suffer from the disease without a diagnosis and do not know the disease he or she is suffering from is Lupus. This deadly and debilitating disease does not only strike in America, there are over fifteen million people stricken with the disease worldwide. Living with Lupus is a constant struggle to live a normal life and cope with the things most people do not even think about each day. I know this for a fact because I was diagnosed with Lupus six years ago and my life...
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...The chronic illness focused on in this psychosocial assessment is Lupus. Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease in which the patient’s own immune system causes dysfunction in the body’s tissues and organs. Lupus can cause inflammation affecting one or more different areas of the body such as the joints, kidneys, skin, brain, lungs heart and blood cells. Some individuals are born predisposed to the development of lupus which can be triggered by infections, certain pharmaceuticals and in some cases sunlight. Risk factors for lupus include gender, ninety percent or more people with lupus are female; race: lupus occurs more within African American, Latino, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations than in the white population;...
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...Lupus is an inflammatory disease. It attacks your own body, including your immune system and tissue. One of its main and most commonly noticed symptoms is a “butterfly” rash. It spreads across both cheeks and got its name by resembling a butterfly’s wings. Lupus attacks parts of the body including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, hearts, lungs and brain. Unfortunately there is not cure for Lupus. Some people can develop it from certain drug use, others from sunlight. Other times a person is born with more of a tendency to develop Lupus over time that can be caused by certain infections. Although there is no for sure known cause of Lupus there are some ideas behind how it could be triggered. A person’s immune system and environment are a huge part of becoming ill, as well as genetics. A person with a history of Lupus in...
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...Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes excessive inflammation. About 2 million Americans suffer from it and its cases have been reported from as early as middle age. The disease got its name after the Latin word lupus which means ‘wolf’. It is because the disease causes a classic facial rash that gives the appearance of a wolf. It was a 12th century physician that gave it this name. In this article, we will debunk some common misconceptions around this disease so that its sufferers can manage it better. Number Six: It is contagious or can be transmitted sexually Lupus is not caused by a carrier, i.e. a virus, bacterium or any infectious agent. Hence, it cannot be transmitted from one person to another. It could, however, pass from mother...
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