Lupus: What to know about the autoimmune disease

article

FILE - Acute Lupus. (BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images)

Lupus is considered a common disease that impacts millions of people worldwide.

Until recently, the cause of this disease was unknown. However, in a study released this week, researchers may have made a discovery that pinpoints a primary cause of lupus.

While the disease is highly complex and more studies are needed on what causes it, news of this breakthrough is welcome as the world navigates how to better manage lupus.

What is lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, meaning it impacts a person’s immune system. It commonly affects the skin, joints, and internal organs such as the kidneys and heart, according to the Lupus Foundation of America website.

There are four types of lupus, and they include:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which is the most common form
Cutaneous lupus, which is limited to the skin
Drug-induced lupus, which is a lupus-like disease caused by certain prescription drugs
Neonatal lupus, which is a rare condition that impacts infants in women who have lupus

Is there a cure?

There is currently no cure for lupus.

People who are diagnosed with the disease will likely be given tools to manage it by way of a physician’s instructions, medication and understanding the disease’s unique characteristics from person to person.

The prognosis for the disease also depends on the severity, however, lupus is not a death sentence. There are many people who have the disease and are able to live for decades after diagnosis, according to the foundation.

Lupus symptoms

Common symptoms and signs of lupus include:

Extreme fatigue (feeling tired all the time)
Pain or swelling in the joints
Swelling in the hands, feet, or around the eyes
Headaches
Low fevers
Sensitivity to sunlight or fluorescent light
Chest pain when breathing deeply

Many people diagnosed with lupus may also suffer from symptoms that impact their skin and hair, such as:

A butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose
Hair loss
Sores in the mouth or nose
Fingers and toes turning white or blue and feeling numb when a person is cold or stressed (Raynaud’s Disease)

What causes lupus?

There is currently no known underlying cause of lupus, but it is believed that environmental, genetic and hormonal factors influence its development.

Genetics plays a large role in someone’s risk of developing it. About 20% of people who have lupus will have a sibling or parent who also has it, according to the foundation.

Testing for lupus

If your doctor feels your symptoms meet the criteria for lupus, there are several ways to confirm a diagnosis.

Patients can complete several types of tests to confirm if they have lupus or not. These can include blood tests, urine tests, and even biopsies.

How common is lupus?

About 1.5 million Americans have lupus and there are an estimated 16,000 new cases of the disease every year.

Worldwide, the disease impacts more than five million people, according to the foundation.

Who is at risk of developing lupus?

While anyone can develop lupus, there are certain groups of people who are at higher risk of being diagnosed with the disease.

Women ages 15-44
African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American or Pacific Islander
People who have a family member with lupus or another autoimmune disease

What’s more, 9 out of 10 adults with lupus are women.