The Mystery of Lupus

Individuals between the ages 20-45 are more at risk for yet another disease. However, this disease called lupus is still being researched and its causes and preventions are unknown. Dr. Dennis E. Daniels, director of the Undergraduate Medical Academy said, "At this time, we do not have an active lupus research program at the academy. However, it is our intention in the very near future to address the disease." It's presumed that lupus might be hereditary, and can be caused by exposure to ultraviolet light, viruses, hormones, certain antibiotics, and extreme amounts of stress.

There are several different kinds of lupus, including discoid lupus, systemic lupus, and drug induced lupus. Each disease carries various symptoms, such as skin rashes, fatigue, weakness, hair loss, arthritis, headaches, and anemia. However, symptoms vary from patient to patient due to the fact that lupus is a disease that can attack different organ systems of the body and affects everyone differently.

Lupus is neither contagious nor infectious. There are countless efforts to find a cure for lupus. The disease can be controlled by medication to reduce inflammation. The common medications used are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and chemotherapy. Patients can experience a period of disease free activity known as remission. Total remission is rare and partial remission can be definite, but limited. Along with remissions, a patient can also suffer a flare, which is a spontaneous change in the activity of the disease. There isn't a way to predict how long a flare or remission will last. People living with lupus today aren't restricted and can do as they please, depending on the degree of the case.