Lupus Disease

By: Georgia Moses

(1.4 million Americans are affected by lupus)

What Is Lupus?

Lupus is a disease where the body’s natural defenses turn against

themselves. Lupus fights the body by sending antibodies and cells to

attack the body’s tissues.(1.4 million Americans are affected by lupus)

Who Can Get Lupus?

Anyone can get lupus, but it often affects women in their 20s and 30s.

Women are 9 times more likely to get lupus.

African Americans are 3-4 times more likely to get lupus.

Symptoms

What Symptoms Can Help A Doctor Diagnose A

Person With Lupus?

A butterfly shaped rash found across the bridge of the nose and cheeks

A scaly disk on chest, neck or face Sensitivity to the sun Skin ulcers on the tongue or inside the nose and

mouth Arthritis Inflammation on the lining of organs Kidney issues Spine and brain issues

What Symptoms Are Unique To Lupus?

Unexplained fever

Pale fingers, toes, ears, and nose

Gland swelling

Hair loss

Can Lupus Be Fatal?

Lupus itself cannot kill you. But the disease can cause simple

sicknesses, like the flu, that can eventually cause death.

Causes

Is The Cause Of Lupus Known?

The exact cause of lupus is unknown.

What Do Scientists Believe Is The Cause Of Lupus?

Doctors believe genetic heritage, the environment and hormones may

cause lupus.

What Systems Does Lupus Affect?

Immune System

Nervous System

Cardiovascular System

Respiratory System

Urinary System

Integumentary System

Muscular System

What Cells Are Damaged?

Lupus causes nerve cell damage.

How Does Lupus Affect The Nerve Cells?

Lupus sends antibodies that…

o bind nerve cells

o bind to blood vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients that the nerve cells need

o interrupt blood flow to nerves

Transmission and Prevention

Is There Any Way Of Catching Lupus?

No. There is no way of “catching” lupus from another person.

What Are Flare Ups?

Flare Ups- happen when all symptoms go away for awhile but suddenly they come

back again.

What Causes Flare Ups?

Different foods

Stress

A bacteria or virus

How Can You Prevent Lupus?

There is no way to prevent lupus, but there are ways to prevent flare ups.

How Do You Avoid Flare Ups?

Avoid…o being really tired

o paino rasheso fever

o headacheo dizziness

* REGULAR EXERSISE WILL HELP TOO*

Epidemiology

Laurent-Theodore Biett was the first to describe the disease.

When Was Lupus Discovered?

Lupus was discovered during the 13th century.

Who Named Lupus Disease?

Rogerius was the person that named lupus.

What Is The Origin Of The Word Lupus?

Lupus is Latin for wolf.

The disease was probably named lupus because it seems to “devour”

the affected part of the body.

Treatment

What Medicines Can Help Fight Lupus?

o Aspirin and ibuprofen (reduce joint and other tissue inflammation)o Antimalana drugs(treats skin and joint issues and inflamed surfaces of

the heart and lungs)o Immunosuppressive medication (lessens normal immune responses)

What Vaccines Can Help Fight Lupus?

Seasonal Flu vaccine- reduces flu chances which with lupus can be very hard to fight.

Pneumonia vaccine- Pneumonia is very dangerous for people with lupus.

TDAP vaccine- protects against tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis which are all very risky to have if you have lupus.

HPV vaccine- for females with lupus.

Living With Lupus

With good treatment and management people with lupus can

live full and productive lives. Without treatment, complications

from lupus can cause death.

Resources

o www.cedars-sinsi.edu

o www.cure4lupus.org

o www.healia.com

o www.lupusguild.org

o www.sharecare.com

o www.kidshealth.org