Lupus is basically an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s own organs and tissues. Lupus patients experience tissue damage in various parts of the body including heart, joints, brain, lungs, kidney, and the endocrine glands including thyroid, adrenals, and many more. According to a research, 90 percent of lupus patients are women.
It is the immune system that protects the body from attacks from foreign bodies. It does so by producing certain proteins called antibodies. Sometimes the immune system loses the capacity to distinguish between foreign bodies and attacks the body’s own cells. This condition is called autoimmune disease. There are many conditions that are produced by an overactive immune system and lupus is one.
The symptoms that lupus exhibits depend on the organs that are attacked. The small joints of the hand are a very common victim. Initially the pain and swelling of joints and the early morning stiffness may not be taken serious. Like any other lupus symptoms these swellings and pain also flare up and subside.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease. When the immune system becomes hyperactive the immune system starts attacking body parts itself causing inflammation and destruction of tissue. Autoimmune diseases are characterised by periodic flare ups and remissions. What is usually called lupus is medically known as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. As the name indicates it can affect any of the body systems and organs in them and it is the most virulent of all.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease and has frequent flare ups and has alternating remissions. This is a common feature of all autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune is a condition of over activity of the immune system and they in their hyperactivity stats attacking the patient’s body itself. The initial symptoms mimic those of many common diseases.
The immune system works as a superpower, keeping you protected from diseases or illnesses that can meddle with the well-being of your body. And if you ever wondered why you did not catch a cold after your co-worker sneezed around you? The answer is the immune system. It gives you immunity to protect yourself from viruses and bacteria that are present in the environment.
Our immune system is a brigade that keeps away illnesses and diseases. There are countless bacteria and viruses that loathe around us, and if not for the immune system, we would be falling sick every short while. While controlling the unhealthy bacteria in the environment may be beyond our control, we can strengthen our immune system to withstand and put up a fight against these viruses.
5 common autoimmune diseases that can affect anyone
The environment that surrounds us is full of elements that can help us lead a healthy life and disrupt the normal functioning of the same. However, when such elements attack our body, the body has its security personnel that ensures that these malicious agents cannot gain entry into the system.
The human body, though vulnerable, is quite capable of protecting itself. The nature that nurtures us has elements in it that are known to cause damage, which can be short-term or can last a lifetime. The body’s immune system is credited with protecting the body from outside agents, and this ensures that we don’t fall prey to diseases that aim at disrupting our body’s functioning.
5 tips to live a healthy life when you have an autoimmune disease
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues and leaves you with symptoms that linger for long periods. Autoimmune diseases are not caused by any organ, but due to an overactive immune system that fails to recognize the difference between healthy and unhealthy cells. An autoimmune disease can change how organs work and can also cause abnormal growth of any organ.
Autoimmune diseases strike the body when the immune system goes rogue and starts attacking the healthy cells. This affects the functioning of certain organs and even their structure. The symptoms of autoimmune diseases tend to overlap with that of other common diseases. This makes it difficult for doctors to pinpoint what exactly ails the patient.
Lupus, an autoimmune disease has serious complications in the later stages. It attacks kidneys and produces Nephritis. Efficiency of kidneys reduces and toxins and other wastes accumulate in the blood. One may suffer from hematuria or blood in urine. Hypertension and swelling in lower legs set in. Untreated it can lead to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
Lupus is of many types depending on its nature and the organs it affects. The disease commonly called Lupus is the most virulent form attacking almost all organs. Its medical name is Systemic Lupus erythematosus SLE. Another variety is called discoid lupus which confines it action to the skin only.
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