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LUPUS: The Elusive Wolf
By Diane E. Robertson
Lupus is not cancer. It is not related to AIDS,
& it is impossible to contract from another person.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease.
A healthy body’s immune system fights foreign substances,
such as germs & viruses. However, in the person with lupus,
the immune system cannot tell the difference between foreign substances
& its own cells & tissues. It is as if the body is allergic to itself.
The Lupus Foundation of America (L.F.A.) estimates that two million
Americans have a form of this disease. In the United States,
lupus is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Asians
& Native Americans than in Caucasians.
Studies suggest that more than 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year.
There are three main types of lupus.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (S.L.E.) is the most common form.
Systemic implies that one or more organs may be involved.
The symptoms range from mild to serious.
Discoid lupus erythematosus affects the skin.
A red butterfly rash may appear across the nose & cheeks,
or elsewhere on the body.
Drug-induced lupus is triggered by medicine.
Symptoms are generally mild, & usually disappear
when the medication is stopped.
This type of lupus is more common in men than women.
The major symptom of lupus is inflammation.
This can be characterized by pain, heat, redness, swelling &
involvement of the skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys & brain.
Every lupus sufferer reacts differently to the illness.
One may endure joint pain in the knees and fingers,
while another may fatigue easily or have kidney involvement.
Some experience low-grade fever, swollen glands & sore throat.
This chronic illness is difficult to identify,
& frequently mistaken for other diseases.
It is often dubbed The Wolf because symptoms may
appear with a vengeance one day, & disappear the next.
Besides the indicators mentioned above, this elusive
affliction also makes its presence known via chest pain, hair loss,
numbness in fingers or toes from cold or stress, sun sensitivity,
low blood count, depression, inability to concentrate & memory
problems. Other warning signs may be mouth sores, seizuers,
hallucinations, repeated miscarriages & unexplained kidney problems.
No one knows what causes lupus, & anyone may get it.
Sometimes it runs in families, implying that the disease may be hereditary.
More women than men are predisposed to the illness,
suggesting it may be hormone-related. If you think you have it,
tell a doctor your symptoms.
He will perform a complete physical examination,
& do laboratory testing of blood and urine.
No single test can show that you have lupus.
Therefore, it may take time to diagnose.
If you learn that you do suffer from this ailment,
it is important to follow up with your health care team on a regular basis,
even when the disease is quiet, & all seems well. There is no cure,
but in most cases, lupus can be managed.
For a large number of people, it is a mild disease affecting only a few organs.
For others, it may cause serious & even life-threatening problems.
Most people can expect to live a normal or near-normal life span.
Dealing with a chronic illness may present a real trial to you.
Because you look healthy, it may seem like your family, friends,
& coworkers do not believe that you are really sick.
Whether yours is a mild or severe case,
lupus is certainly a life-altering illness.
The majority of people who suffer with it have limited energy.
For some, depression might be a consequence.
It can be disheartening to find you lack the stamina to
play with your children, maintain a job, enjoy your home
& perform the physical activities you previously enjoyed.
There will be times when you will not want to do much.
Lupus fatigue is not the regular tiredness that normal individuals have,
but an overwhelming exhaustion that often keeps one from
performing even minor physical activities.
Learn to manage your good days wisely by balancing proper rest,
moderate exercise & good nutrition. Listen to your body,
& learn to pace yourself. Reduce the stress in your life
as much as possible. Set priorities, & stop before you’re exhausted.
Remember that fatigue is part of the illness.
Even if you take medication for lupus,
there may be times when the symptoms become worse, causing a flare.
You may feel tired, experience joint pain, or some other discomfort
just before the flare. If you recognize the signals,
you may minimize or even prevent the flare by resting more.
When you feel better, become involved in social activities.
Consider joining a lupus support group where you can share your
feelings. You will see that you are not alone in your struggle. You
will also have the opportunity to become better educated about the illness.
The prognosis for people with lupus is more optimistic
than it has ever been. Innovative research is constantly
introducing new medications & treatments which,
hopefully, will lead to a cure in the near future.
While living with lupus can be a challenge,
it is possible to enjoy a satisfying & productive life.
Be kind to yourself & allow caring people to love,
nurture & encourage you. Remember that each day
is a blessing, & small wins are important.
Above all, maintain an optimistic attitude.
For further information & assistance in finding a local chapter
or support group, contact the Lupus Foundation of America.
They may also be reached by telephone at 800-558-0121
or 202-349-1155.
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Diane Robertson is a freelance writer who lives in Bradenton, FL.
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